THE TURKS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1735, 28 April 1906, Page 2

THE TURKS.

REINFORCEMENTS SENT TO ' EGYPT. ( SIGNIFICANT STATEMENT IN HOUSE. By Kleciric Telegraph l —Per Press A,saoeiatiou—Copyright. Received 1 32 a.m,, April 28. London, April 27. A battery of horse artillory and three companies of loniskilliog Fusiliers at Crete have been transferred to EgyptReuter reports that it is intended to increase the garrison to 5000. The Times' Cairo correspondent says that a report is credited .in official circles that tho Turks destroyed the boundary pillars at Raia, near Elarish. In tbe House of Commons Sir Edward Grey stated that Lord Cromer considers that in view of the unroot existing in Egypt, which was some measnre due to the action of the Porte in connection with the frontier, it was desirable to reinforce the garrison. This would be done, bat the aotual details were still under consideration, It was impossible to Bay for how long tbe increase was necessary. This must depend on circumstances. The Times dto’atos that Sir Edward Grey’s statement as to tbe increase of the garrison and his reference to the Porte’s action, was a setious announcement, and it trustß that tho significance would be quickly understood in Constantinople and Cairo.

It may bo taken for granted that if Turkey, prompted by Germany, should determine to provoke armed intervention by Britain on behalf of Egypt, the Turkish troops will give trouble. It is quite true that a substantial Turkish division has sustained defeat after defeat at the bands of rebels in tho Yemen district, but from this very fact we may assume that the defeated troops were not of the high quality of those who gave suoh a good account of themselves during the last invasion of Greece. Hence the merest prudence demands • that the British nuolens of the British army of defence shall be inoreased, and also that the native army under the Sirdar should be placed upon a war fooling. We may expect to hear Bhortly that orders to this effeot have been given unless Turkey recedes from the position into which with the approval of Germany she haß thrust herself.—Napier Telegraph.