FLIGHT OF SULTAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1922, Page 5

FLIGHT OF SULTAN.

PROCEEDING TO MALTA. PROTECTED BY BRITISH. RELIEF AT HIS SAFETY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright London, Nov. 17. The Sultan, fearing that his life was in danger, appealed for British protection and is now proceeding to Malta on board the cruiser Malaya. Received Nov. 19, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 18. Mr. Ward Price, writing from Constantinople, describes the Sultan’s flight. On a cold, drizzling day the last of the long line of once-powerful Sultans escaped from his own Palace His escape was regarded as a menace to his own Nationalist subjects. The Irish Guards, as usual, were on early parade at the Yildiz barracks, when several large motors drew up at the back gate in a twenty-foot wall surrounding the Palace, and when the gate opened a dozen men in civilian costume emerged. The battalion, which was drilling, formed up as if accidentally in order to keep off any attempts to approach the Sultan, when a frail old man in a fez cap and an overcoat climbed into a car, taking only two suitcases. A launch subsequently carried him on board the Malaya. The Sultan, with the assistance of an interpreter, talked with the British officers accompanying him. He thanked General Harington for enabling him to escape, adding that it was a great relief to feel himself in safety under British protection. The Sultan was received on board the Malaya by Admiral Brock, and the Sultan and his ten-year-old son and suite of nine were accommodated in the Admiral’s quarters.— Times. ANGORA SHOWS CONCERN. QUESTION OF A SUCCESSOR. Received Nov. 19, 5.5 p.m. Constantinople, Nov. 18. On the receipt of news of the Sultan’s flight, the Angora Government decided to summon a special meeting of the National Assembly. They also telegraphed to Rafat Pasha asking how the flight was accomplished, professing inability to understand the reasons for it. It is reported the Assembly will immediately elect a successor, and the heir presumptive is mentioned as the most likely candidate. v The newspapers indignantly comment on the flight. The Tanin publishes a report that the Sultan carried off some sacred relics of the prophet and jewels belonging to the dynasty.—Reuter. LAUSANNE CONFERENCE. ALLIES IN AGREEMENT. Received Nov. 19, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Nov. 18. It is officially announced that a preliminary exchange of views between M. Poincare, Lord Curzon and the Italian representative (Baron Avessaur) revealed complete agreement among the Allies on all questions to be discussed at the impending Lausanne conference. TURKISH SOCIALIST KILLED. Constantinople, Nov. 17. •Huseein Hilmid Bey, president of the Turkish Socialist Party, has been assasinated. The. crime is ascribed to a political motive. SULTAN TO BE TRIED. Constantinople, Nov. 17. The Angora Assembly has decided to try the ex-Sultan and his Ministers. Kemal is' expected to demand the surrender of the former by the Allies.