IN THE BALKANS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 93, 15 September 1914, Page 8

IN THE BALKANS

TURKEY'S INDEPENDENCE. SHAKES OFF THE FOREIGN YOKE. CAPITULATION* IS ABROGATED. Constantinople, September 12. The Porte has notified the Powers that the abrogation of capitulations was inspired sole'y to assure judicial, economic and fiscal liberty of action. Turkey (IoSS not entertain unfriendly intentions towards the Powers, as she is rekdy to conclude treaties in regard to commerce. The Minister of the Interior -says that Turkey has finally obtained her independence. The population formed processions in the city, and cheered her independence. v London, September 12. Importance attaches to Turkey's olliciai notification of the abrogation of capitulations. (A capitulation, in this sense, is an arrangement between Christian and nonChristian or civilised and semi-civilised Powers, by which the latter surrender to the former the criminal jurisdiction ITiey would naturally possess over the subjects of such Christian or civilised Power.} resident among them. Capitulations havo been made with non-Christ-ian Powers, such as the Ottoman Empire, China and Japan, and with 'Powers where the administration of justice, is imperfect, such as Roumania and Servia; but some of these capitulations have been terminated).

THE POWERS PROTKSTIXG. London, September 12. Keuter says that all the Powers are protesting against the abolition of capitulations. An ollicial German version declares that the Triple Entente offered to consent to the abolition if the Porte would remain neutral. The Porte replied tliat neutrality could not bo bought, and thereupon decreed the abolition. 1 Constantinople, September 13.The Entente Powers and Italy have notified the Porte that the capitulations were the outcome of international agreements, which cannot be modified except by international understanding. AustroGerman replies are differently worded, but arc of the same purport.

ROTABLES EXCHANGE SHOTS,

Athens, September 12. Newspapers recount that after an altercation between the Turkish Crown Prince, who is opposed to war, and Enver Pasha, the latter slightly wounded the Prince with two revolver shots. The Prince fired, seriously wounding Enver Pasha in the leg;.