MORE SECESSION

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 323, 9 October 1908, Page 7

MORE SECESSION

CRETE REVOLTS. ISLANDERS HOIST THE GREEK FLAG. SIR E. CREY SPEAKS. THE FALLING YOKE OF THE TURK. (BI TISLEGBAPH —rtEESS ASSOCIATION—COPtEtJUT.) (Rec. Octobor 8, 10.11 p.m.) - London, October 8. Tho Cretans have seized tho opportunity for a coup d'etat in favour of union with Greece. The revolution developed with striking rapidity. Caneaj tho capital, was early yesterday bedecked with Greek flags. Then tocsins were sounded, guns were fired in tho air, and 10,000 citizens assembled and listened t-o inflammatory harangues. Resolutions were adopted determining to proclaim union with Greece, and urging the Assembly to confirm the people's decision by an olficial vote. Tho crowd marched to tho Consulates of the various Powers, and left there copies of the resolutions. The Grecian flag replaced the Cretan over tho palace of tho Governor (M. Zaimis) and other public buildings amid unceasing cheers. The people attempted to hoist the Greek flag over tho fortress, but French troops provented tkom. Later on five members of tho Ministry announced their compliance with the people's decision in favour of union with Greece, and directed public functionaries to conduct all business in the name of the Hellenio Government. Armed people from tho neighbouring villages are pouring into Canea. SERVIA TALKS WAR. AUSTRIA'S ATTACHE RECALLED. LEGATION STONED. SYMPATHY WITH TURKEY. Bulgaria, October 7. A mass meeting of 10,000 persons at Belgrade passed a resolution urging the Government to prevent tho annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and offering their fortunes and lives to promote their country's cause. During anti-Austrian demonstrations in Belgrade, the windows of the Austrian Le-. gation were stoned. University students went to the Turkish Legation, cheered the Minister, in charge, and received a Turkish flag, which they carried in a procession. Newspapers appear with big headings, entitled, "War with Austria 1" Austria's military attache at Belgrade has been recalled. ' PROTEST TO POWERS. THE SKUPSTCHINA TO MEET. (Rec. October 8, 9.45 p.m.) . Belgrade, October 8. Tho Servian Skupstchina (Parliament) has been convoked for October 10. The Government has addressed an energetio protest to the Powers against Austria's action. '.piwnll A" j (ill THE ANNEXED PROVINCES. BOSNIANS' ATTITUDE. REPORTED GOOD WISHES FOR THE AUSTRIAN REGIME. (Rec. October 8, 9.45 p.m.) . Vienna, Octobor 8. The people of Bosnia and Herzegovina received the Austrian proclamation of annexation quietly, expressing their good wishes for tho future of the new regime. EXPLANATIONS FROM VIENNA. " UNSELFISHNESS." NOVIBAZAR TO REVERT TO TURKEY. (Rec. October 8, 9.45 p.m.) Vienna, October 8. , In his Note to the Powers Baron Aerenthal, Austrian Minister for Foreign Affairs, claims that Austria's surrender of the Sanjak of Novibazar (which was under the military administration of Austria, and the civil administration of- Turkey) is a striking proof of Austria's unselfish and friendly sentiments to Turkey. ! A MEASURE OF AUTONOMY. SOP OFFERED TO MOHAMMEDANISM. Vienna, .October 7. . In a rescript addrossed to Baron Burian, Austro-Hungarian Finance Minister, who is charged with the administration of Bosnia and Herzegovina, tho Emperor Francis Josef declares that it is his intention to grant full measures of civio rights under constitutional institutions by means of national representation, which will reflect the existing religious and political conditions of the two provinces. The Budapest newspaper "Pester Lloyd" states that if Turkey wore to decide to recognise Francis Josef's sovereignty, Mohammedans in Bosnia and Herzegovina would bo permitted to mention the Sultan's name in their public prayers, and would also be allowed to hoist tho Ottoman flag-on their minarets on the occasion of Mohammedan festivals.

THE ORICINAL STATUS OF BOSNIA. CONFLICTING STATEMENTS. GERMANY TO SUPPORT HER ALLIES. Berlin] Octobet 7. The newspaper "Kolnischo Zoitung," referring to Austria's annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, states:—"Although Austria technically infringes an international arrangement, sho really only gives a now constitutional form to a do facto condition of things." Germany, tho paper adds, intends to support her comrades in the Triple Alliance (Italy and Austria) in order to avoid complications. Tho " Kolnischo Zoitung " soverely Whines the Bulgarians for their arbitrary violence. Paris, October 7. Count Khevenhuller-Metch, Austrian Ambassador to Franco, interviewed by the Paris newspaper " Gaulois," declared that every one at the Berlin Congress of 1878 knew that Austria's occupation of Bosnia and Herzogovina was not temporary, but everlasting. London, October 7. Tho Paris correspondent of " Tho Times " reveals tho fact that when tho Berlin Treaty had been negotiated, Count Andrassy, on behalf of Austria, had signed a secret agreement with Turkey, promising that Turkey's sovereign rights m the two provinces would

not suffer an infringement, and that tho Austrian occupation would bo considered temporary. The British press protests against the Emperor Francis Josef's rescript as sophistical reasoning in defenco of a shameless violation of international law. IN TURKEY. BIC PROCESSION, JOINED IN BY GREEKS. NEWSPAPERS AGAINST WAR. BRITISH JUSTICE. Constantinople, October 7. The biggest procession ever seen in Constantinople was held to-day. All classes—both civil and military—took part. Thero was a large contingent from tho Hellenic colony. The crowd cheered tho British, French, and Russian .embassies. Tolegraius conveyed to King Edward and the British Government Turkey's profound gratitude to Britain and admiratiou of the British sense of justice during the present crisis. Turkish newspapers deprecate war unless further aggression .is intended. PROPOSED CONFERENCE. VIENNA OPPOSES. "THE TIMES'S" ADVICE TO TURKEY. Vienna, October 7. Austrian opinion opposes the holding of a European Congress, lest it might raise differences botween tho Powers. London, October 7. "The Times" protests against Great Britain's association with any congress that might inflict further wrongs on Turkey, and advises the Sultan to acquiesce in the present moral injury under protest, and thus render tho congress unnecessary. IF AUSTRIA DECLINES. GERMAN BACKING. (Rec. October 8, 9.45 p.m.) Berlin, October 8. Official opinion in Germany doe 3 not oppose a conference of the Powers if Turkey desires one, but implies that should Austria decline to attend the conference Germany will follow suit. BRITAIN'S POLICY. NON-RECOGNITION OF VIOLATION OF TREATY. UNDERMINING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE. | RISK OF NEW DANGERS. (Rec. October 8, 10.35 p.m.) London, October 8. In a speech at Goole (Yorkshire), Sir Edward' Grey, Secretary for Foreign \Affairs, expressed sympathy with tho "sudden, beneficiont, and almost incredible change in Turkey under tho new regime," and said it was Britain's desire that that regime should have every opportunity and oncourageinent for its development. Referring to tho apprehension that Bulgaria's and Austria's action had caused, tho Minister said:— i'») nit J ,-jiope, and think, that these actions will not result in any disturbance of tho peace. The material and practical chauges involved are not groat, whatever .'. the • sentimental views are but the manner of . the changes was both irregular and abrupt. Any slighting to the new regime in Turkey might give a military direction to a movement that is now entirely peaceful, and might plungo Macedonia and Armenia back into the old state of anarchy, which, if continued, will bo sure to 1 lead to a breach of the peace. Britain cannot'recognise the right of any Power or Stato to alter an international treaty without tho con'sent of tho other parties to it. We cannot recognise the result of such action till the other Powers—including Turkey, who is most closely con- , cernod—are consulted. If a single '• State is allowed to make an abrupt violation of treaties ajl public confidence will bo undermined. Europo desires to seo a diminution of armaments, but it is impossible if people live in constant apprehension that treaties will bo altered without the consent of all the Powers who 'are parties to them. The risk I feel is that what is already done may load to further questions entailing new complications. Turkey ought quickly to be assured that 111 any revision of the Treaty of Berlin, freeing other Powers and States from particular , obligations, Turkey's interests and 1 status will receive full consideration, and will be adequately safeguarded. The British Government hopes that tho result of the changes will 1 not discourago but will give real effective support to the progress of tho new Government and Constitution in Turkey. Wo will use our influence to that end. I seo every prospect that Britain will remain at peace. (Cheers.)