THE TURKISH CRISIS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14982, 30 April 1909, Page 7

THE TURKISH CRISIS.

THE SULTAN’S DETHRONEMENT. ABDUL HAMID SENT TO SALONIKA. REJOICINGS IN PALESTINE. THE ADANA MASSACRES. United Pres* Associßtfion— By Elecfcrio Telesrruph—Copyright. CONSTANTINOPLE, April 28. Two hundred and fifty reservists at Adana seized a train and went to Tarsus, where they assisted in destroying the Armenian quarter. Consular advices report that a hundred Protestant missionaries were burned in a church in the Adana district. .

Kasabba destroyed Abdul Hamid’s harem and- removed some of the inmates to the Ored Ceraglio and others to country palaces. Reuter reports that to-day Abdul Hamid, accompanied by eight ladies of his harem, was transferred to Salonika. There are great" popular rejoicings at Smyrna and Jerusalem. ABDUL HAMID’S SHARE IN THE REVOLT. AN ANGRY ARMY. ARRESTED IN THE HAREM: LONDON, April 28. Advices from Vienna state that on Abdul Hamid’s correspondence disclosing his complicity in the revolt and the resistance to the entry of the Salonikans, the army was so angered that an overwhelming majority of t-lie officers demanded the Sultan’s abdication. When his arrest was ordered, he was found hidden in the harem. Those arrested with him include Prince Saba Eddin (president of the Liberal Union), Ali Kemab (editor of “Ikdam”), Marshall Zeke (former commander .of the Fourth Army Corps at Erzeroum) and Nadir Aga (chief eunuch). ABDUL HAMID’S FALL. REJOICINGS IN CONSTANTINOPLE. (Received April 29, 9.60 p.m.) / CONSTANTINOPLE, April 29. When informed of his deposition, Abdul Hamid said: “I am innocent. Since the Constitution was renewed I have never failed to support it. I leave the authors of this tragedy to God. During my reign the Greek war was won, and I have extricated the country from many difficulties. God’s will be done.”

The state of siege has been suspended in Constantinople to permit of rejoicings. The Turkish newspapers are execrating the fallen, despot.

Two armoured motor-cars escorted Abdul Hamid to the station at two o’clock in the morning. Two sons, aged seven and seventeen, and eleven wives, some eunuchs and servants accompanied him. A detachment of soldiers was aboard the train. Abdul was taken to the villa Alitml, Salonika, which is surrounded by troops.