THE EASTERN QUESTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2179, 28 November 1895, Page 15

THE EASTERN QUESTION.

PURTRER MASSACRES REPORTED. London, November 20. Speaking at Brighton Lord Salisbury aaid be had received a message from the Sultan of Turkey, ia which be complained of tha statement made in his Guildhall speech that It was unlikely reforms In Turkey would be carried out. In this message the Snltan Bald he believed Lord Salisbury had been misled, and he asked him to publicly deny tbe statement, and he offered his word of honour that he would personally see that the reforms were carried into effect. Lord Salisbury went on to say that the Sultan's comments on his speech we/c unseemly, seeing that Great Britain was acting in harmony with the Powers. If men like Ruatem Pasha had Been appointed as Governor the atrocities would not have occurred, and other nations would not have had cause to despise the Sultan's decision to carry out reform*. Lord Salisbury, in his speech at Brighton, said there was no want of sympathy among the European Powers for the position in Which the Sultan was placed, but the Turkish laws were not sufficient to enable - good government to be maintained. Competent governors were essential to succ9sb. The magician's wand could not cure diseases which in England were looked upon as the result of long years of error. November 21. It i« reported that the Saltan of Turkey has offered, after effecting the promised reforms, to visit London and the European capitals to arrange for the better government of his Empire. November 24. It is reported that a diver want down in the waters of the Bosphotus and found the corpses of 50 students standing in an | erect position with lead tied to their feet. November 25. The Times Constantinople correspondent declares that a European conference is imperative. Constantinople, November 19. The Sultan has ordered the mobilisation of 500,000 troops. , He is furious at his Ministers protesting that there are no funds to carry out the military arrangements, and is trying to borrow one million sterling. A number of seditious pUcards which had been posted on tbe mosques in the city were afterwards placed on the Sultan's table in the palaca. Xiermany is sending an iracclad to the Levant. The Bishop of Aleppo was discovered to be urging theßishop of Orfah to send arms to Zeitoun, where the barbarity of rebels ia said to t qual that of the Turkish soldiers. The Armenians state that 100.000 of their ! countrymen are dying of starvation and exposure, and they have asked to be permitted to present a petition to the Queeu of England praying for help and protection. November 20. The Sultan spent the whole night in wiring messages to the various Governors containing orders for the carrying out of reforms. November 21. M. NelidoS, the Russian Ambassador, has assured tbe Armenians resident in Constantinople that tbe danger of further outbreaks has passed; but he has also advised the Armenian leaders in the provinces to abandon the hope that the Great Powers will interYene with Turkey. The embassies have insisted that additional measures be taken by the Porte to preserve order in Anatolia. ' It is reported Great Britain is sending four more consuls to Armenia. Tbe Great Powers each require an additional gunboat at Constantinople. Tbe Sultan has rebuked the Governor of Anatobia for toleratiog disorders in the province, and has warned him that he will be held responsible for the recurrence of trdubla. The English Government are disposed to refuse additional gunboats for tbe Bosphorus. November 22. Twenty villages in the north-west of Aleppo have been burned and the inhabitants massacred". ' The Kurds are massing on the borders of the Euphrates. November 23. The Porte denies the truth of the statement that the Arabs iii the Yemen district, Arabia, defeated the Turks. Russia ancl France refused the request by Austria that the various embassies should act in case of emergency, or in tbe event of an extensive naval demonstration, as they Sid not desire to delegate control. They added that the Powers continued "in perfect accord with regard to the Armenian difficulties. The So'oaetopol fleet has been recomxnissioned, and tbe troops at Odessa ordered to be ready for service. There are 40" European warships in the Levant. Anarchy prevails at Albagia. The recruits of Acg'ora refuse to join the colours. A fresh massacre is reported from the Harash district, and 200 Armenians have been killed at Aintab. The Kurds destroyed five villages in the Van district, and 1000 people are missing. November 24. The Sultan remit 3 the corn tithes. November 25. In 'the recent rising the Cretans shot 30 Turkish soldiers. St. Petersburg, November 24. Russia is welcoming Armenian emigrants. Paris, November 21. The French Press approves of tbe Sultan's message to Lord Salisbury. Vienna, November 19. . Tbe Fremdenblatt says that Russia will Dot accept Austria^ proposal to empower the «mbacsies, if they are unanimous, to act instantly in regard to Turkey in the event of Buddan danger,- as it is the wish of the Russian. Government that the various Cabinets should decide as to tbe action to betaken. Aden, November 18. A force of 40,000 Arabs, armed with Mar-tini-Henry rifles, inflicted three defeats on the Turks in the Yemen district, Arabia, and are Sow besieging Sana, tbe capital.