BRITAIN AT WAR WITH TURKEY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2301, 7 November 1914, Page 7

BRITAIN AT WAR WITH TURKEY

. OWING TO HOSTILE ACTS ISLAND OF CYPRUS ANNEXED . • ' ■ . London, November 5. ■;.-. The Turkish' Ambassadors in London and Paris have received their passOfficial.—"Britain has annexed Cyprus." An official message to tho Prime Minister of New Zealand, dated London November 5, states: "Owing to hostile acts committed by the nirkish Forces under' German officers.. a state of war exists between Britain and Turkey from to-day. Cyprus has been annexed by Britain. ' Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, 60 miles from the coast of Asia Minor, and 41 from the coast of Syria. The island is administered by Great Britain, under a convention, concluded with the Sultan of Turkey at Constantinople in 1878. The British High Commissioner is assisted by an Executive Council, consisting of the Chief Secretary, the King a Advocate, and the Treasurer. The Legislature consists of eighteen memberssix being office-holders; and 12 elected (for five years, three by Mohammedan and-nine by non-Mohammedan voters). The area of the island is 3584 square miles and the population (1911 cens"ue), 274,108—56,428 Mohammedans, 214,480 Christians of the Greek Church, and 3200 others. Nicosia is the capital. The principal industry is agriculture. — ■ London, November 5. , The Turkish' authorities in London assert that tlie door has not yet closed upon peace.-r("Tinies" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. November 7, 0.50 a.m.) London, November 5. The "London Gazette" issued to-day announces that Britain has declared war on Turkey- . - ■ - TURKEY'S INTENTIONS, WITH RUSSIA. ;■ • ■ , ; Rome, November 5. Advioes from Constantinople (semi-official) -state that Turkey wlil at 'present restrict herself to war against Russia. . i ■ Petrograd, November 5. The Russian Ambassador (M. Giers), who has left Constantinople, says that the Sultan might disclaim responsibility for the action of the Turkish fleet, but it would be impossible for him to find a pacific solution of the bombardment of Odessa. • *■ (Rec. November 7, 0.30 a.m.) London, November 5. It is stated that Russia does not desire to enlarge her territories, but must have effective control of the Dardanelles. She also insists that it is impossible for Rumania and Bulgaria to remain neutral, because this would prevent the Army from getting at the Turks and limits the field of operations—in the interests of Turkey. ' PORTE'S ASSURANCES TO ITALY. \ . ■ :■ . • London, November 5. ; Semi-official assurances have been given in Constantinople that Italy's fears are entirely premature. Action against Egypt will result in the closing of the Suez Canal. ■. , . • MOVEMENTS OF THE TURKISH FLEET. Petrograd, November 5.' _ The Turkish fleet is concentrating in the straits, hut is apparently avoiding a fight with our fleet. ■ FIGHTING IN TURKISH ARMENIA. Petrograd, November 5. ' Offioial.—The Russians have expelled the Turks from a village they had occupied in Khorassan (a province in Persia), and crushed a force of Turks ond Kurds near Dyadine. They also occupied Bayazid, in the province of Erzerum,' in Turkish Armenia. ■ CAUCASIAN RACES-UNITED FOR RUSSIA. (Rec. November 6, 5.15 p.m.) : London, November 5. All the races represented in Caucasia have pledged themselves to support Russia.—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) SEVENTY SHELLS FIRED INTO DARDANELLES. (Rec. November 6, 6.15 p.m.) . ■ • London, November 5. 'Atlhens reports 6tate that the bombardment of Dardanelles lasted fifteen minutes. The firing was principally by the English squadron which threw seventy, shells.—("Times" and Sydney,'.' Sun" Services.) (Rec. November 7, 0.30 a.m.) London, November 5. . Salonika reports the bombardment of the Dardanelles by the English and French Fleets continues most effectively. The Turkish forts are out-ranged and their fire is futile. Two British cruisers Bhelled Jaffa. ' ■ CAUCASIAN ARMY MARCHING ON ERZERUM. . . . (Reo. November 6, 8.5 p.m.) - . ' x Petrograd, November 5. , The Russian Caucasian Army is marching on Erzerum, where there aTe three Turkish Army Corps, and fifty thousand Kurdish cavalry. • BETRAYED BY A HANDFUL OF' BANDITS. . (Rec. November 7, 1.25 a.m.) . • . • . Bordeaux, November 5. General Cherif Paeha, the Leader of the Turkish Opposition, has telegraphed to M. Viviani, the Prime Minister of France, fhat he is dismayed that "a handful of bandits should have signed the country's death 6entence." He is convinced that his compatriots will rise against "this band of assassins." ' , (Reo. November 7, 0.50 a.m.) " , London, November 5. Reuter'e Alexandria correspondent reports that at the American Ambassador's invitation, British, French aad Russian non-combatants have been allowed to leave Turkey. Apparently/the Turks are unwilling to admit a final rupture. Arrivals from Turkey state that all classes are terribly depressed, and a bitter feeling exists against Germany for using Turkey, as a 'catspaw.