GALLIPOLI GRAVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12611, 23 April 1919, Page 5

GALLIPOLI GRAVES.

VESTED IN BRITISH GOVERNMENT, MEMORIAL CEMETERY TO BE ESTABLISHED. i TURKISH DOMINATION ELIMINATED. By Telegraph—Pi-ms Aesocietton—Cfcpyrtghi Auitrilian end N.Z. Othl* Auooiaiion. (Received April 23, 9.80 a.m.) '(Official). LONDON, April 22. It is practically certain that the Peace Treaty with Turkey will include a clause ensuring l British ownership and the permanent care of the Gallipoli graves. This question has been consistently advocated at the sessions of tho Imperial War Cabinet by Mr Massey, who, while in Paris, also had many interviews on the subject with Mr Balfour and Lord Milner and the drafting experts. The clause now drafted provides that the ownership of certain land shall be transferred l in perpetuity to the British Government, in order that it may be set apart and maintained as a cemetery and memorial for tho soldiers who fell in the Gallipoli campaign. The Turkish Government must, within six months after the Treaty operates, vest the exclusive title in the British Government, who will be entitled to transfer it to the Imperial Graves Commission, or some other organisation, with full rights to make any improvements. The land must he free from any form of Turkish taxation, and free access must be given to British officials and any persons desiring to visit the cemetery. Subject to these limitations, Turkish sovereignty over the land will remain unimpaired, hut the Ottoman Government must at all times prevent tho violation of these rights and any desecration of the graves. Numerous meetings with the British Empire Delegation are now being held, dealing with matters relating to the Peace Treaty. DISCOVERY OF SERIOUS GERMAN PLOT. An*tr»li»n and N.Z, C»bl» Awoeiatioß. (Received April 23, 5.60 a.m.) LONDON, April 18. The Daily Telegraph s ’ Copenhagen correspondent states that the Lettish Legation has been informed of a serious, long-prepared German plot at Lihau. Gorman troops penetrated the barracks, greatly outnumbering the Lettish garrison, whom they disarmed. They also killed or wounded some Lettish troops. Premier XJlmann, learning of the attack, went to Aon der Goltz; the German commander, who pretended to he greatly surprised. The Germans subsequently arrested the Lettish Home Secretary, Walther, and removed all the Lettish guards outside the Government Buildings. German guards occupied all the positions in the town and German civilians spread a rumour that the Lettish troops had revolted. This the Lettish Government characterised as an infamous lie. The ringleader of the plot is a German Baltic Baron .Manteuff el. DISPOSAL OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS. Ao»4r*li»n »n<3 N.Z. Grid# Amoo4*«<«. (Received April 23, 9.26 a.m.) 6"E W TORE, April 22. The Parle correspondent of the “New York Times " sends the text of agreements made between Japan and Britain, and Japan, Prance, Italy and Russia, in February, 191J under which the Powers agreed to support Japan’s claims to the former German islands in the Pacific north of the equator and the Japanese claims to Shantung, while Japan agreed to support Britain 1 ® claims to the Islands south of the equator The correspondent says President Wilson and the Chinese delegates were not aware of this arrangement when the Peace Conference opened, hut when the question of mandatories was dwm»sed_Mr Moyd George said that an arrangement regarding the Pacific Islands had already been reached. There was an awkward moment when President Wilson ashed the'nature °t tho arrangement, which was then explained. Britain in a message to Japan on February 16, 1911, said with reference to Japan . desire for an assurance of' Britain’s ' support of Japan, claims at the Peace Conference -The British Government accedes’with pleasure to the request to support Japan, dams regarding lie disposal of Germany’s right, in Shantung and the islands north of the equator', it being understood that the Japanese Government will iMt in ftf same spirit Britain’s claims 1„ the German islands south of ft aqua ton Japan replied that Britain’s attitude was , proof of the close ties uniting the two Powers, and agre to support Britain’s claims.” t0 GERMANS YIELD TO ALLIED DEMANDS. iuktifH WJB. Cafe]* Amoktt**. (Received April 23, 9.50 a.m.l m, n PARIS, April 28. . The Germans have- agreed to the Allied demands. Count Rantzau and six high personages are to reach Versa i]Io« April 28. “ 08 0,1