WARNING TO TURKEY

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 177, 21 April 1908, Page 7

WARNING TO TURKEY

ITALY SENDS A FLEET. POSTAL FACILITIES REFUSED. OTHER GRIEVANCES. THE POWERS SUPPORT ITALY. 8Y TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION— COPYRIGHT, Rome, April 19. A semi-official Noto states that owing to Turkey threatening to forcibly prevent the establishment of Italian post offices at Constantinople, Salonica, Smyrna, and Jerusalem, Italy is despatching three naval divisions to Turkish waters. ... ' (Rec. April 20, 9.50 p.m.) ' . Rome, April 20. Italy's claim is based on the "most favoured nation" ..clause in her treaties with Turkey. ( . The; Porte replied that post offices belonging to other Powers were tolerated, not officially sanctioned, hence Italy was unable to .invoke the clause. Officials have informed the Italian iAmbassador it is the Porte's intention, If post offices are. opened, to station guards outside to forcibly prevent the public entering. ' This brought matters to ii head, and Italy resolved'.to demand the redress of, .other grievances as woll,, notably vexatious obstructions which have been, placed in the way of Italians and their Arab customers in Tripoli, Turkey's refusal to allow Italians to acquire property in Turkey, and restrictions on coasting trade. All the Powers, including Germany, recognise that Italy's' action is ; correct and proper. : \ ' v ; ■'' ; The squadron was got ready in 12 hours,. It will go to Apia Minor.. It will consist of: Battleships, Ist olass ... .... s Battleships, 2nd class ... ... 1 : Cruisers . ... ...' ... ' .3 ■, •. Officers "... ' ... : 329 ' r Men .... ... ... ...6178 Cuns ... ... .... r ... 459 ; • . : London, April 20. "Tho Times" Rome correspondent. V says that the Porte's contention is untenable, Turkoy's attempt in 1901 to suppress fprcign post offices; on. tho ground that tho Turkish postal service, is sufficient, failed by' : the energetic: aotion of: tho Powers. Foreign post offices have sincej then increased V. St. Petersburg,-April 20. The St. .Petersburg newspaper, "A'ovoe- . Vremya," declares-that .Turkey's' defiance of Italy is an immediate consequence of Germany and Austria weakening over the ■ Macedonian concert.-, 1 ' ■

In. the Naval Annual. Turkey is credited with 11 living only, three armoured' ships, the Messoudjeh (9120 tons), the Hamidieh (6700 toils), and the Assar-i,Tewfik i (4613 tons).. . The Messoudieh is credited with: abilityto steam 17.5 knots an hour; the others are. 13 knot boats. Thoy have ten 10.2 in. :guns, two;9.2in., twelve Bin., some smaller. weapons. . There hro about tea cruising; craft, ranging. from'&OO tons to. 775 tons. •'Two' other oruisers have just been completed' for- Turkey at, German shipyards. Tho Turkish Navy, in short, bears i po comparison with the Italian. 1 ■ ■, : :