Official

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 57, 3 November 1914, Page 5

Official

IPie Pbsbb Ajbociation.J Wellington, November 2. The Government received the following Foreign Office su-tiouncoiusui. dated London, November 1, 3.45 p m.: Official: At the beginning of the war the British Governinsnt gave definite assurances that if Turkey remained neutral, her indepenuence and integrity would be respec.ed anting the war, and in the .terms of peace. In this France ansl Russia concurred, end the British Govern xitnt have Since then endeavored with the greatest patience and forbearance to preserve friendly relations, in «pite of increasing breaches of neutrally on the part of the Turkish Qovsff'imiiat at Constantinople, and in !he case of German vessels in the Straits. On October 29 the British Goverainerit leartt with the utmost regret that Turkish i ships of war had, without any declara-

tion of war, and without warning Cipro vocation of any sort made wanton attacks upon open, undefended towns on the Black Sea, of a friendly country, thus committing an unprecedented violation of the most ordinary rules of international law, comity, and usage. Ever since the Goeben and Breslau took refuge in Consantinople the attitude of the Turkish Government towards Britain has caused surprise ' and uneasiness. Promises made by the Turkish Government to send away the German officers and crews of the Goeben and Breslau had never been d unfiled; j It A-as w ell known that tbi Turkish Minister o* War was decidedly pro-German, but. It was confidently hoped that the saner counsels of his colleagues, wno bad experience of the friendship which Great Britain had always shown towards the Turkish Government,* would prevail, and prevent that Government from entering upon a very risky policy by taking part in the conflict en the side of Germany. Since the war began, German officers in large numbers have invaded Constantinople, and usurped the authority of the Government, and have been able to coerce the Sultan's Ministers into taking up a.policy of aggression. Britain, France, and Russia watched these proceedings patiently, protest-

ing agajinst the many acts which have constantly been committed contrary to neutrality, and warning the Sultan's Government against the.danger they were placing the futuf© of the Ottoman Empire in being vigorous.

ly assjsjbed by the Ambassadors.: of Germany and Austria. The German military elements at Constantinople had been persistently doing their utmost to force Turkey into war, both by their activities in the service of the Turks and by their lavish bribes. The Minister of War, with his German advisers, latterly prepared an armed

force for an attack upon Egypt. Th<> Mosul 1 and Damascus Army Corps have, since mobilisation, been in Constantinople, sending troops south, preparatory to the invasion of Europe and the Suez Canal from Akaba and Gaza. A large body of Bedouin Arabs has been called out, and. armed to assists'this venture. Some, of these have crossed the Sinai frontier, transport; has been collectedi . and roads prepared up to the frontier of Egypt- Mines have been despatched,

to be laid in the Gulf of Akaba. ;The notorious Sheik Agiz Shawish has published and disseminated through Syria, and probably India, inflammatory documents', urging the Mohammedans to fight against Britain: Pruffer is busily occupied in Syria, trying to incite the people to take part in the conflict. This aggressive action was certan to be the result of the activity of the numerous German officers employed in the Turkish aYmy, acting under orders of the German Government, who have thus succeeded in forcing the hands of the advisers of the Sultan. German intrigue cannot influence the loyalty to Britain of 70 millions of the Mohammedans in India, and the feeling of the Mohammedan inhabitants in Egypt. They must look with detestation on the misguided action under foreigu influence at Constantinople, which will inevitably lead to the disintegration of the Turkish Empire, and which shows much forgetfulness of many occasions on which Great Britain- has shown friendship to Turkey. They must feel bitterly the degeneration of their vco-re-ligionists, who can thus bo dominated against their will by German influence. The Turkish Government summarily, on Friday, shut off all telegraphic communication with the British Embassy at Constantinople. T his is, no doubt, a prelude to further acts of aggression. On their part the British Government must take what action is required to protect British interests and British territory in Egypt from any attack made or threatened.