CALIPHATE ABOLISHED.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3573, 4 March 1924, Page 5

CALIPHATE ABOLISHED.

KEMAL’S PLAN TO MODERNISE TURKEY. CARRIED DESPITE STRONG OPPOSITION. • [By Electric Cable—Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association,] (Received Monday, 2 a.m.) CONSTANTINOPLE, March 3. The People’s Party has unanimously accepted a Bill deposing tne Caliph and abolishing the Caliphate. WILL HAVE WORLD-WIDE COI\ SEQUENCE. OTHER KINGS COVET HONOUR. (Received Tuesday, 2 a.m.) LONDON, March 3. •Mr Ward Price, in commenting on the abolishment of the Caliphate, says the disestablishment of the Moslem religion, which is part of Kemal’s programme of modernising Turkey and westernising her institutions, carried out in face of the'hostility of the Hodjas, the religious teachers, forming one of the most conservative and most powerful bodies of public opinion in Turkey, as well as the peasants who regard the Caliphate above tho office of Sultan, wherefrom it was separated in 1922, would have a profound and world-wide consequence. The Amir of Afghanistan and King Hussein are known to covet the dignity.

TO BE EXPELLED FROM TURKEY CALIPH SUNK IN MELANCHOLY. (Received Monday, 7.25 p.m.) CONSTANTINOPLE, March 2. Tho Bill to abolish tho Caliphate includes tho expulsion of Abdul Majid after ton days, also deprivation of Turkish citizenship for all male and female members of the dynasty and sequestration of their estates, though the princes and princesses will bo allowed a lump sum on their departure. The Caliph is sunk in melancholy and spends most of his time in his harem. It is expected he will go to Egypt or some other Moslem country. His seven attendants are deeply distressed, and his chief Eunuch refuses to eat.