TREASON TRIAL

Southland Times, Issue 20662, 18 April 1929, Page 8

TREASON TRIAL

DEATH SENTENCES IN TURKEY.

YVILD STORY AGAINST BRITISH

Constantinople, February 11

Out of thirty-six persons arrested at Broussa on December 20, charged with plotting to overthrow the Government, five were condemned to'death yesterday, sixteen were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, and fifteen were acquitted. The case Is one of the strangest yet judged in 1 Turkey, and the evidence given at the trial was so preposterous as to make it impossible to believe that there would be any serious outcome. All the prisoners are of the lowest class, and of no political importance. YVeird stories were told during the proceedings of how arrangements had been made with the British Embassy here to supply bombs and rifles, but that at the critical moment the reactionaries were unable to get-these because the British Ambassador was at Angora and the munitions could not be handed over without his consent. Even dreams were taken as evidence, and tales were told requiring the greatest imagination to compile. For example, the stories that one ex-convict was to , become President of the Republic and another Prime Minister were heard and recorded with the utmost seriousness.

This trial has been named that of the “Broussa insurgents,” and its consequences are another application of the iron heel and the despatch of five more Turks to the gallows.