AFFAIRS IN TURKEY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9163, 10 August 1908, Page 5

AFFAIRS IN TURKEY.

CRIMINALS LIBERATED BY SOLDIERS.

DEMONSTRATION IN FAVOUR OF CONSTITUTION.

CONSTANTINOPLE, August 7. Soldiers at Smyrna, Turkey-in-Asia, broke open the prisons and liberated all the criminals. They tit n irarjhed through tie town, demonstrating in favour of the Constitution.

The Young Turkey Party has been endeavouring for some time to get the army on its side, but apparently the Sultan's diplomacy—and he has been clever enough for the greatest masters of diplomacy in Europe—has countermined their efforts. A united army will be master of the situation, and the example set recently by the two divisions will probably spread throughout Ihe Empire. The peace effectives of the active Turkish army are under 300,000 men. There is an excellent organisation on paper, but large deductions must be made on account of indolence, inertia, and corrpution. Still, in 1897. Turkey rapidly concentrated against Greece two armies of a total strength of 185,000 men, and crushed her opponent after a short campaign. German officers reorganised the army in the 'eighties. The fleet is not formidable. In the "Naval Annual," Turkey is credited with having only three armoured ships, the MessOudieh (9,120 tons), the Hamiclieh (6,700 tons), and the Assar-i-Tewfik (4,613 tons). The Messoudieh is credited with abili'y to stpam 17.5 knots an hour; the others are 13 knot boats. They have ten 10.2-in. guns, two 9.2-in., twelve G-in., and some* smaller weapons. There are about ten cruising crafts, ranging from 3.500 tons to 775 tons. Two other cruisers have just been completed for Turkey at German shipyards.

OFFICIALS DISMISSED. Received August 9, 4.30 p.m. CONSTANTINOPLE, August 8. Numbers of high Turkish officialf, including the Ambassador at Pari., have b?tn dismissed.