TURKISH SHUFFLING AND GERMAN INTRIGUE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2297, 3 November 1914, Page 5

TURKISH SHUFFLING AND GERMAN INTRIGUE

AT WORK EVER SINCE THE WAR BEGAN' INTERNATIONAL LAW FLAGRANTLY VIOLATED Official.—At the beginning of the war the British Government gave a definite assurance that if Turkey remained neutral her .independence and integrity would bo respected during tile war and in tlio terms of peace. In this France and- Russia concurred. The ■ British Government, have since then endeavoured, with the greatest patience and forbearance, to preserve friendly relations, in spite of increasing broaches of neutrality on tho part of tho Turkish Government at Constantinople and in the case of the German vessels in tho Dardanelles. On October 29 the British Government learnt, with tho utmost regret, that Turkish, ships of war had, without any declaration of war_ and without any warning or provocation of any sort, made wanton attacks 'upon spoil and iwdpf<mcM tewna, on tho .Jgjtaok a frawlly. couutry, thus

committing an unprecedented violation of the most ordinary, rules of International Law, comity, and usage. Coeben and Breslau. Ever since the Goeben and Breslau took refuge in Constantinople the attitude of- the Turkish Government towards ■ Britain has caused surprise anduneasiness. Promises made by the Turkish Government to send away the German officers and crewe of tlio Gooben and Breslau wore never fulfilled. It was well "known that the Turkish Minister of War was decidedly pro-Ger-man, but it was confidently hoped the saner counsels of his colleagues who had exjjerionoe of the friendship which Great Britain has always shown towards the Turkish Government would have prevailed and prevented that Government from entering upon a very risky policy by taking part in the coniflct on the side of Germany. Germanising the Porte. Since the war began German officers in large numbers ,havo invaded Constantinople and usurped the authority of tlic Government, and liavo been able to coerce the Sultan's Ministers ' into taking up a policy of aggression. Britain, France, and Russia watched tlieso proceedings patiently, protesting against many acts which have constantly been committed contrary to neutrality, and warning the Sultan's Government amieb the danger, they .were plying

the future of the Ottoman Empire';' in'.' Vigorously, assisted by the Ambassadors of Germany and Austria, German military elements at Constantinople. have been persistently doing their utmost to force Turkey into war, both by their activities in the service of the Turks and by lavish bribes. ; Movements Towards Egypt. The Minister of War, with.-his German advisers, has latterly prepared an armed force for attack upon Egypt. Mosul and Damascus Army Corps hape since mobilisation bean in Constantinople, sending troops preparatory to an invasion of Egypt and the' Suez Canal from Akaba and Gaza. A large body of Bedouin Arabs has been, palled out and armed ,to assist this venture, and some of these have crossed the Sinai frontier. Transport has boon collected and roads prepared up to tha frontier of Egypt. Mines have been' dispatched to be laid in the Gulf o£ Akaba. The notorious sheikh, Aziz Shawish, has .published and disseminated through Syria, and probably In(sa, an inflammatory document, urging Mohammedans to fight against Britain. Dr. Prueffer is busily occupied in Sy J tia trying to incite the people to tak3 part in this conflict.

German Intrigue. This aggressive action was certain to' be the result of the of numerous German .officers employed in tha Turkish Army, acting under orders ot the German Government, who thus have succeeded in forcing the hands of tie advisers- of the Sultan. German intrigue cannot influence the loyalty to Bri* tain of the seventy millions of Mohammedans in India, and the feeling of the Mohammedan inhabitants in Egypt. They must look with detestation on tha misguided action, _ under foreign influence, at Constantinople, wiich will inevitably lead to the disintegration of the Turkish Empire,-and which;showß such forgetfulness of the many occasions on which Great Britain has Bhown friendship to Turkey. They must feel bitterly the degeneration oi their coreligionists who can thus be dominated against their will by German influences.The Turkish Government, summarily, on Friday shut; off telegraphic communication with the British Embassy, at Constantinople. • This is- : noydoubti the prelude to further acts.'. of aggression on their part.The Gov- ' ernment must take whatever action ig required protect British British territory, and Egypt, from at* tacks made and threatened. ./ 1