The Near East.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXII, Issue 3872, 11 May 1906, Page 4

The Near East.

THE POSITION STATED. TURKEY IMPRESSED BY THE ULTIMATUM. LONDON, May 8. In the House of Commons, Sir Edward Grey, in reply to Mr Balfour, reviewed the events at Tabah and the island of Faraon and said that the Porte contended that (Ist) Akabah and the Sinai Peninsula were outside the territory defined by the Imperial Firman in 1892; (2nd) that the Grand Vizier’s telegram of the Bth April, 1892, only referred to the western side of the Peninsula; (3rd) that the interpretation of the telegram concerned the Porte alone. Sir Edward Grey continued that such demands, if admitted, would constitute a real danger to the freedom of the Suez Canal, the liberties of Egypt, and the Khedival dynasty. He emphasized Britain’s patience and moderation, and said it was impossible to defer a settlement indefinitely, hence Britain’s pres.-ing of her original demand to a joins delimitation was confirmed by tbo presentation of a Note requesting a favourable reply in ten days. Sir Edward Grey added that it was important the frontier should remain as it had existed undisputed and undisturbed for many years previous to British occupation. General cheers greeted the statements. The cruisers Amethyst and Arrogant at Gibraltar have suddenly been ordered to sea, presumably to the Levant. There are now British warships at Phalerum. In the House of Commons Mr Runciman, in reply to Mr J. B. Lonsdale, announced that Germany had informed Britain that statements that the Porte’s action regarding the Egyptian frontier had received any encouragement were unfounded. The announcement was received with ministerial cheers. Turkey is ending artillery and strong reinforcements to Akabah and Tabah. The Daily Mail reports that the Turks were three days sawing through the boundary pillars under cover of tents. Nobody was allowed to approach. The Daily Telegraph says the ultimatum has greatly impressed the Sultan. An extraordinary Cabinet Council is convened for to-day. A battalion of the Worcester Regiment has left Malta for Alexandria and two battalions of the Rifle Brigade have been ordered to hold themselves in readiness. Turkey has occupied Marcovar, a new port in Persian territory. EGYPT THE SULTAN’S VASSAL. 6 B BRITAIN’S INTERVENTION INADMISSIBLE. Caieo, May 9. When the cruiser Minerva landed Colonel Mantell, the Turkish commander protested at his presence, declaring that Egypt was the Sultan’s vassal and that Britain’s intervention would not be admissible. &THE TURKS SEIZING LAND. London, May 9. Advices from Ghuzzeh state the Turks seized a strip of land, a hundred thousand acres in extent, which is Egyptian territory, on the Syrian frontier.

Constantinople, May 9.

Muktah Pasha is encouraging the Sultan to strengthen the Khalifa’s position by striking a blow at British influence in Egypt, by trying to arouse a hostile Egyptian agitation and by bribing native journalists and Mullahs to influence the populace.