THE SULTAN IN DANGER.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1262, 7 May 1896, Page 10

THE SULTAN IN DANGER.

TURKS, AS WELL AS ARMENIANS, ARRESTED BY WHOLESALE. Constantinople, March 14. A widespread conspiracy against the Sultan, with headquarters in this city and branches in many parts of tho Ottoman Empire, is said to have been discovered. Over 200 Armenians and many Turks havo been arrested. Tho Ambassadors of the Towers aro keeping their respective Governments fully informed regarding tho situation. The presenco of tho extra gunboats hero is now a matter for congratulation, as thero Is no longer fear that a disturbance hero would greatly endanger the foreign population. The Turks are rapidly becoming far more dangerous to tho rule of Abdul llaniid than the half crushed Armenians, who appear to be convinced that their only hope lies in the Young Turk Party. The Turks aro incensed against the Armenians for their agitation, but they are very bitter against the misrule of the Palace people. The Armenian agitators havo really been playiug into tho hands of the Government. It is only now, when tho disturbances aro subsiding, that tho real situation is becoming apparent. The feeling among the Turks against tho Sultan is duo to wrongs suffered by the Turks themselves and the oppression of the secret police and tax-gatherers. Among tho lower classes here tho matter might not go further than the plundering of tho palaces and the ousting of tho favourites, and a probable improvement thereby in tho general situation. But among other classes the feeling of discontent is far deeper and much more serious. Tho Sottas (theological students), the Ulemah (the body of interpreters of tho Koran), tho army and navy, are fairly ripe for an outbreak, as is well known at tho Palaco. Tho army and navy may bo counted on to follow the lead of tho Ulemah and the Softas in anything, and when it is admitted that tho two hitter classes are dangerously discontented, tho situation is, indeed, critical. Moreover, among tho official class generally tho deposition of tho Sultan is eagerly looked forward to. Tho Young Turk Party is in the front ranks of the discontented. It demands a constitution, a parliament and free institu-

tions. Tho Softas, as a rule, aro tho sons of wealthy, influential Turks, and become theological students solely to avoid compulsory service in tho army. Their antipathy to the conscription is only a feature of their dislike to tho system of government, and as these students spread enlightenment and liberal ideas among tho soldiery and others, tho Moslem world seems to bo awakening from tho sleop ot centuries, and to be getting ready to throw off tho Palace yoke. The Ulemah, aware that tho Palaco misgovernnient has endangered tho integrity of the Ottoman Empiro, would willingly pee an uprising which would purify tho political atmosphere. The Sheik-ul-Islam, who should control tho Ulemah, is a Palaco tool and has no influence worth mentioning. What tho Turks aro looking for is a loader. When he appears it is safe to predict that tho ndo of the Palaco favourites will soon be ended,