THE SINAI PENINSULA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13134, 24 March 1906, Page 5

THE SINAI PENINSULA.

TURKS REFUSE TO WITHDRAW. I j | TROOPS BEING CONCENTRATED. By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. (Received March 23, 10 p.m.) London. 'March 23. It is reported from Constantinople that the Turkish Government refuses to withdraw its troops from Tabah, in the Sinai Peninsula. The reason given for the refusal is that ! Tabah is within Turkish territory. Replying to a question in the ' House of Commons yesterday Sir I Edward Grey said he believed there i were three Turkish battalions at El Akabah, near Tabah. It was reported a month ago that- Turkish troops had occupied Tabah. a place in the | Sinai Peninsula, near the head of the Gulf of Akabah. The British Government, on behalf of the Egyptian Government, entered a protest against the occupation of the place, and ottered to refer the question to an Anglo-Turkish Commission, provided that Tabah was first evacuated. it was next reported that the Turks were trying to seize the of Farsan, opposite. Tabid.' and that the cruiser Diana had prevented the operation being tried out. The railway being built by the Turkish Government from Damascus to Mecca, lias thrown a branch to Akabah, at the head of the gulf of the same name, and Turkey doubtless requires possession of Tabah as a measure for the protection of the terminus. Since this affair took place it has been reported that the Egyptian Government had decided to establish military posts along the border, from (he gulf to the Mediterranean. The Sinai Peninsula was the scene of the wanderings of the Jews, and of the law-giving of Moses.