TURKEY'S HOPELESS PLIGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15235, 24 February 1913, Page 7

TURKEY'S HOPELESS PLIGHT

ARMY HALF .STARVED. .

SEEKING FOOD AND SHELTER,

PORTE ANXIOUS FOE PEACE.

USELESS TO CONTINUE WAR.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—

(Received February 23, 5.5 p.m.) London, February . 22. A message from Constantinople states that refugees from Gallipoli report that the Turkish army is hopelessly demoralised and half starving, and that the men are threatening to commit acts of pillage.

Numbers of officers and men have left seeking food and shelter elsewhere. '

Vessels passing through the Dardanelles report that the Turks at Gallipoli are huddled around the camp fires, and that they are suffering severely from bitter noitherly winds which are blowing from the snow-clad heights.

Hakki Pasha, who is now in London, denies that he is on a peace or official mission.

Turkey, he says, . is hopeful that the Ambassadors' Conference will be able to arrange a satisfactory peace formula, safeguarding , Constantinople, the Sea of Marmora, the Dardanelles and Asia Minor.

Hakki Pasha says that. Turkey has no interest in continuing the war as the territory which has already been lost cannot; be recovered.

FIGHTING IN EPIRUS.

22,000 REFUGEES.

INADEQUATE RELIEF FUNDS.

Athens, February 21. Firing has been heard in the direction of Janina (Epirus). Turkish troops and irregulars attacked the Greek camp at Dimenitza, but were driven back with heavy loss.

Twenty-two thousand refugees from Epirus have reached Corfu, Preveza, Arta, Cephalonia, Trikala and Larissa.

Relief committees are succouring them, but the funds are insufficient to feed and clothe the unfortunate Turks.

TURKS RAISING MONEY.

SALE OF GOVERNMENT

BUILDINGS.

Constantinople, February 21.

The Government has sold its buildings in Galata (the merchant quarter of Constantinople), including the Bourse and the barracks, to a French financial group for half a million Turkish pounds, but has retained the option of annulling the agreement within a year if a better offer be made.

AUSTRIA AND ROUMANIA.

MEDIATION ACCEPTED.

(Received February 23, 5.5 p.m.)

Bucharest, February 92.

The .Roumanian Cabinet has decided, in deference to the Powers, that Roumania shall accept Sir Edward Grey's proposal for mediation in regard to the dispute with Austria. A hope is expressed that a decision will soon be arrived at.

FUTURE Or SCUTARI.

SURRENDER DEMANDED BY

SERVIA.

(Received February 23, 5 5 p.m)

London, February 23.

The Servian delegate has informed th"3 Ambassadors' Corierence that Hc-rvia.. has associated herself with Montenegro's demands for the surrender of Scutari. Servian also demands the exclusion of Dibra i'rom the boundaries of Albania.