EXPELLED BRITON

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 255, 25 September 1933, Page 2

EXPELLED BRITON

TURKISH ACTION. A recent cablegram mentioned that Mr A. V. Lander, representative in Turkey of Vickers, Ltd., Vickers-Arm-strongs, Ltd., and the Marconi Company, had been expelled from Turkey. No reason was given. Mr Lander had arrived back in Constantinople after a business trip to London, at the beginning of August. He was accompanied by Gen. Haines. He left Constantinople for Angora, where he has his headquarters. On his arrival there he was met by police and told he must return immediately to Constantinople by the evening express. He was given no reason when he asked why. He telephoned the Governor of Angora, but was told nothing more. Force was threatened if he would not go quietly to Constantinople. NO AUTHORITY. According to Mr Lander, no proper authority, indeed no word in writing, was shown him by the police who apprehended him. On returning to Constantinople escorted bv detectives in plain clothes, he was immediately told at the police headquarters that he must leave Turkey that night. Once more he received no reply to his request for an explanation. He, therefore, left under police escort for Sofia. At the actual moment Vickers have five fitters and two height-finders and predictor experts in Constantinople instructing the Turkish authorities in the use of anti-aircraft guns supplied by Vickers. This firm has recently secured a contract for six large seaplanes, which are already undergoing final tests at Southampton before delivery. The expulsion has created considerable astonishment in British circles in Constantinople, especially in view of the fact that no reason has been given. It is difficult to conjecture what charges could justify such an action; more difficult still to guess wliat could justify his being deprived of the right of reply. Mr Lander has been on the Vickers staff in Constantinople since 1912, with the exception of the war period. Representatives in London of Vick-ers-Armstrongs Ltd. were puzzled by the news of the expulsion. Mr F. C. Yapp, a director of the firm, expressed surprise when informed of the position. “Our representative in Turkey is Mr Lander, and, so far, we have not heard the slightest suggestion that he was or has been deported, or the reason for such action. Apart from representing Vickers-Armstrongs in Turkey, he was the agent for other firms there, and we in London are entirely at a loss for the roason.”