THE TURKISH ARMY

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15484, 16 December 1913, Page 7

THE TURKISH ARMY

GERMAN REORGANISATION.

PRESSURE BY ■ RUSSIA.

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright

Paris, December 14. The German military mission has arrived in Constantinople.

Russia, says Le Matin, has requested France and Britain formally to demand Turkey to remove the, German commander, General von Sanders, appointed to reorganise the Ottoman' forces. "■"•"-

Russia expects Franco immediately to exercise financial pressure on Turkey, and otherwise, will consider the French attitude unfriendly, .

Advices from Constantinople state that the Ambassadors of the Triple Entente have inquired into the scope of the mission.

GRAND VIZIER'S REPLY.

FOLLOWING PRECEDENT.

(Received December 16. 12.10 a.m.) London, December 15,

The Grand Vizier's reply to the Entente's remonstrances is understood by Reutcr's correspondent at Constantinople to be that arrangements have been carried out at Mahmoud . Shevket's instance by which, instead of the employment of foreign advisers, actual command will be conforred on foreign officers .entering the Turkish services. This course has already been followed in the cases of the navy under Admiral Limpus, and the gendarmerie of the Armenian vilayets under Colonel Hawker.

The Grand Vizier adds that General von Sanders's authority will be limited, especially in the matter of the Straits and Constantinople, whose garrison will be under the command of Faki Bey.

Turkish official opinion is much aroused at the Powers' so-called unwarrantable interference with Turkey's sovereign rights.

A noteworthy consequence of the inquiries has been to confer an unexpected popularity on the German mission, even among Chauvinists, who at the outset viewed a foreign command with misgiving.