FLIGHT OF SULTAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 November 1922, Page 5

FLIGHT OF SULTAN.

NEW CALIPH CHOSEN. THE HEIR APPARENT. ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Nov. 20. The Constantinople correspondent of The Times states that the Angora Assembly has elected Abdul Mejid as Caliph. He received 148 votes out of a total of 162.. . The news of the Sultan’s departure did not create a sensation in Angora, in view of previous propaganda against him and. because premature reports of his flight had been already current. The correspondent says the election of the heir apparent is a cute move, calculated to forestall Moslem opposition. whilst preserving Angora's claim to the power to elect the Caliph. Rafet Pasha is expected to go to Thrace shortly. His conduct in Constantinople caused dissatisfaction in Angora, eastern deputies raising questions regarding his proceedings. Received Nov. 21, 5.5 p.m. Constantinople, Nov. 20.

Abdul Medjid, the new Caliph, is 54 years of age. He is greatly interested in politics, and he is also one of the leading Turkish painters. He strongly favors a rapprochement between Britain and Turkey. The late Sultan took away all his jewels. He recently received all arrears in his civil list payments. ARRIVAL AT MALTA. Received Nov. 21, 1.20 a.m. Malta, Nov. 20. The Malaya has arrived with the Sultan on board.