ITALY AND TURKEY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9069, 21 April 1908, Page 5

ITALY AND TURKEY.

-A NAVAL DEMONSTRATION. Received April 20, 9.37 a.m. ROME, April 19. A semi-official Note states that ■owing to Turkey threatening to forcibly prevent Italian post offices • at Constantinople, Salonica, Smyrna, and Jerusalem, Italy is despatching three naval divisions to TurKish 'waters. Received April 20,9.50 p.m. ROME, April 20. Italy's claim is based on the most favoured nation clause of treaties with Turkey. The Porte has replied that post offices belonging to other Powers are tolerated, not officially sanctioned. Hence Italy is unable to invoke the -clause. The officials informed the Italian Ambassador that it is the Porte's intention, if the post offices are •opened, to station guards outside them and forcibly prevent the public irom entering. This brought matters to a head, and Italy resolved to demand that other' grievances, notably vexatious obstructions placed in the way of Italians and Arab customers at Tripoli; Turkey's refusal to allow Italians to acquire property in Turkey; end restrictions regarding the coasting trade. All the Powers, including Germany, recognise Italy's action as •correct and proper. The squadron got ready in twelve T hours, and goes to Asia Minor. It consists of eight first-class battleships, one second-class, three torpedo cruisers, 329 officers, 6,1Y8 men, and 459 guns.