A TURKISH THREAT

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9044, 15 May 1915, Page 8

A TURKISH THREAT

NON-COMBATANTS SENT TO DANGER ZONE SIR EDWARD GREY’S REPLY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON. May 13. Mr W. H. Page, United States Ambassador, has handed* to Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, a Note from tho American. Ambassador at Constantinople, in which it is stated that tho Turkish War Minister has decided to .wild Frencli and British subjects from Constantinople to Gallipoli and other unfortified places on tfic peninsula and expose them to the dangers of air raids unless the Allies stop aeroplanes from bombing and killing non-combatants. .Sir Edward G-rey replied that if tho Allies’ non-combatants were sent to the zone of the Ottoman army war opointions he would hold Enver Pasha (War Minister), Said Halim Pasha (Prime Minister), and all members o; the Turkish Ministry, also the commanders of the Turkish troops, personally responsible for any injury done to them. In a further Note the American Ambassador states that he has endeavoured to dissuade the Turkish War Minister from taking action pending the Allies’ reply: > The War Minister stated that ho could not countermand tho order, but agreed to send only fifty men between tne ages of twenty anti forty. These would remain aboard the transport until a reply was received., No British or French subjects connected with American missions or the Standard Oil or Singer companies would be sent. Twenty-six British subjects and twentyfour French were placed on the transport, of whom only two were British born, William Wiekram and Harry Hoad; also two French born. OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION., ’Tho Prime Minister has received the following from the High Commissioner:— LONDON, May 14, 12.50 a.m. The Foreign Office issues the following correspondence;— The American Ambassador sends the Foreign Secretary tho following telegram from the Secretary of State, Washington:—“The following cablegram lias been received from the American representative at Constantinople: ‘The Minister for War told me that the fleet and aeroplanes of tho Allies aro bombarding and killing non-combatants at Gallipoli and other unfortified places on the peninsula. Ho has decided to send to those places French and British subjects from Constantinople, exposing them to the same danger, but he will delay taking tins step until May 6th, to give time for the receipt of assurances that orders to discontinue such bombardment will he given.’ ” Sir Edward Grey requested the American Ambassador* to inform tho Ottoman Government that if non-com-batants were' transported to those places, the British- Government would hold Enver Pasha and the Ottoman Ministers personally responsible for any lives lost. ; Tho Turkish, Minister for War replied that he had already given orders and could not now countermand them without serious injury to army discipline. Twenty-six British and twenty-four French are now shipped on a transport for Gallipoli in accordance with the throat. QUESTION OFJSIISTMENT GOVERNMENT MAY RECONSIDER THE POSITION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, May 13. Lord Haldane, speaking in the House of Lords, said that the gravity of the situation might possibly lead the Government to reconsider the position in regard to voluntary enlistment. .' ger^STjtrocities MUST BE PAID FOR TO THE LAST FARTHING. “Times" and Sydney “Sun” Services. LONDON, May 13. In the House of Lords, the Marquis of Crewe (Secretary of State for India) reiterated that those guilty of the invasion of Belgium, and the accompanying atrocities, must bo forced to pav to the uttermost farthing. It was premature to speak of the form of payment to be made. REPORTS LIKELY TO CAUSE ALARM A HEAVY FINE IMPOSED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copy right (Received May 14, 11.45 p.m. ) SYDNEY. May 14. Under tho war emergency legislation, Simon was fined £IOO. Bruhn was discharged. Evidence disclosed that Simon arrived by tho Sonoma and the Customs officers discovered .beneath the false bottom of his locker a number of German newspapers and letters for various persons, mostly Germans, in Sydney and Melbourne. One letter was addressed to the American Vice-Consul in Sydney, and the military authorities refused a request for the delivery of this letter. (A report on May 11th stated:—The first case under the war emergency legislation is before the courts, + wo men, Bruhn and Simon, being charged with bringing letters and other written communications from Germany and elsewhere. They attempted in writing to spread reports likely to cause alarm among the civil jiopulation of the Commonwealth. Bail was refused.] i