DANGER OF WAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1924, Page 2

DANGER OF WAR.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

IRAQ POSITION CRITICAL. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. GABLE ASSOCIATION. CONSTANTINOPLE, October 13. The Turks are talking war. The Turkish Government lias reviewed the question of a general mobilisation, and has adopted every means for defending the Turkish Iraq frontier. The newspapers here state that Tarkev will not agree to obey liriti-sli orders. Premier Ketiial Pasha has summoned Parliament. PARIS, October 13. “Le .Toiinial” says: “The AngloTurkish preparations are likely to result in rifles cracking.” SITUATION GRAVE. LONDON, October 14. The situation in the vilayet of Mosul continues to be grave. The Turkish reply, which the Government is now considering, is alleged to he entirely unsatisfactory. Jailing to recognise the status quo. and, in somo quarters, it is regarded as impudent in tom*. It defies the Lausanne Treaty and the. League of Nations, and does not contain any suggestion that tho Turks intend to withdraw their troops. LONDON, October 14. Ti e “Exchange Telegraph’s” Constan- , tinoplo correspondent asserts the Mosul situation is serious. 3 lie Turkish Government is reviewing tho necessity for a general mobilisation. CONSTANTINOPLE, October 14. Tlie Turkish Assembly has urgently been convoked. A message from Angora stated that Dievad Paslm, the Turkish commander in Iraq, will have a fitting reply to the British commander’s letter, which the Turks regard as an invitation to the Turks to retire from the positions they have taken up. \ BRITISH U LTIMATUM. PARIS. October 14. “Js the Mosul question going to rekindle the llames of war in tho Near East?” asks “Le Journal.” The paper is here commenting on a British ultimatum that has been sent to Turkey, granting Turkey till noon on October 11, for the withdrawal of Turkish troops behind the lino of tho •‘status quo’’ and lor a cessation of any further concentration, ’lhe ultimatum declared that otherwise tho British will resume full liberty of action. ••Lo Journal” expresses tho opinion that tho political crisis in Britain docs not lessen the risk of war. On tho contrary, it says, it is to the Labour Party’s interest to prosecute tho uffair vigorously. If they fail, they will bequeath to their successors, the thorniest problem; but if victorious, they will have the opportunity of scoring a big success. The Turkish reply to tlie British ultimatum was cabled on October 11. TURKEY’S CASE. GENEVA, OctoiK-r 13. The Turkish Government has telegraphed to the Council of the League of Nations, recapitulating Turkey’s correspondent o with Britain relative to Iraq, and ('.aiming that Turkey is respecting the position or status quo, as it existed on September 30, in accordance with the agreement that was reached at the Geneva Conference; wliorca.s Turkey declares that Britain is now insisting on demands which she had advanced in an earlier Note to Turkey, and is violating her Geneva undertaking. 'lhe Turkish Government adds: “If Britain, disregarding her undertaking, disturbs the peace and commits acts of aggiessidii, this responsibility is entirely hors.”

Turkey reipte.sts the Council of the League of Nations to adopt measures to compel respect tor the decision of the Council. WAHABIS WANT .MECCA. CAIRO, October 13. , It is reported, that the Wahabis tribesmen refuse to negotiate. They intend to advance on Mecca. Tito Emir Ali and all the members of his Government has withdrawn to Baliri LONDON, October 14. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Cairo correspondent says: “Emir Ali’s attempts to make pcatc with the Wahabis, who are encircling Mecca, have been contemptuously rejected. Four of his messengers are prisoners. One, who escaped. reports that Ali's letter was torn up. The “Daily Chronicle’s” correspondent, Air George Eonurek. at Jeddah, says that several thousand inhabitants’ who left Mecca before tbe 'Wahabis encircled the city, are now approaching Jeddah, which already is seriously over crowded. Fond and water are quickly becoming scarce. Tlie situation at Mecca is reported to be appalling. Wild Bedouins filundored the Royal Palace on Sunday night, and committed other excesses. Uneasiness has been caused by a report that seven hundred so-called volunteers. from trans-Jardina, have omliarked at Aknha on route to Jeddah, in order to light the Wahabis, at the instance of ex-King Hussein. Actually they are well-armed ruffians, who, if tbev reach Jeddah will almost certainly indulge in bloodshed and destruction.