DISPUTED TERRITORY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 June 1938, Page 7

DISPUTED TERRITORY

RIOTING IN ALEXANDRETTA THREAT BY TURKEY TO SEND TROOPS ELECTORAL REGISTRATIONS By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. LONDON, June 1. Telegraphs from Antioch state that after further rioting by Turks in that city, as a result of which three persons were killed, it is officially stated that registrations for the elections in Alexandretta have been suspended. It is understood that Turkey virtually sent an ultimatum to France stating that Turkish troops would march into the Sanjak unless the French conceded control of the territory. The region is practically under martial law. The Sanjak will hold its first elections on July 15. after which an independent Government will be established.

The Sanjak of Alexandretta, which includes Antioch, is on the Turco-Sy-rian frontier and its population of 107,000 Arabs, 85,000 Turks and 23,000 Armenians and Christian Arabs has necessitated a special status. Under an agreement signed by France and Turkey in 1936, the Sanjak is guaranteed the status of an autonomous demilitarised territory for which the Republic of Syria (under French mandate) is responsible as regards foreign relations and customs.

This agreement was a compromise between the Turkish demand for an independent State and the French proposal to make the Sanjak a part of Syria. The elections to be held next July are the first since the agreement was signed and approved by the League of Nations. There has been much interest in the Sanjak for several years, the Turks demanding to be freed from French control.