ASIA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 19, 12 May 1909, Page 7

ASIA.

Moslem Fanatics. When the Adana massacres were renewed on April 25 a party of Turkish soldiers and Bashi-bazouks surrounded an ’Armenian school in which 2000 Armenians had taken refuge. Volleys were poured in upon the defenceless Armenians, and in a very short space of time the building was ablaze. Those emerging from the doors were shot as soon as they reached the open, .while many of the remainder were incinerated. The relief committee, under the chain manship of the American Consul-General, urges an appeal for £lO,OOO in behalf of the sufferers by the massacres of Adana, Alexandretta, Mersina, Latakia, and Antioch. The Turkish Parliament has voted £20,000 for the relief of the sufferers in the towns recently devastated by Moslem fanatics in Asia Minor. The Nationalists.now control the following cities:—Bush ire, Bunnderabba, ISingah, Urumiah, Shiraz, Hamakki and iff ask. Nationalists from Resht entered Kafcoin on the sth, and defeated th<> Government garrison, 20 royalists being killed. Virtue of a Necessity. The Shah has accepted the friendly advice of Britain and Russia regarding the Constitution, and desires to discuss points in detail. He has issued a proclamation regranting the Constitution and fixing the elections for July, to be completed by the 19th of that month. ladiau Nationalists. The trial has been concluded at Alipore Of the 33 Bengalis who were arrested in May last on a charge of being implicated in a widespread anarchist conspiracy. Baren Ghose (brother of Arabindo Ghose, a Cambridge graduate), who confessed to throwing the bomb which killed Mrs Kennedy, and Dutt, who prepared the bombs with which Mrs Kennedy was killed and the Jives of others attempted, Were sentenced to death, and some of the others to transportation for life or imprisonment ranging from one to ten years. Arabindo Ghose was acquitted. Judge Beachcroft held that Baren Ghose’s confession linked up the Muzzaffapur outrage and the attempts on Sir Andrew Fraser (Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal) and the Mayor of Chandernagore, with the conspiracy for collecting arms for military drill, and making bombs with a wide fire zone, for street fighting, all of which indicated an intention to wage war against the King. Seven of the prisoners were sentenced to transportation for life. They will probably appeal against the sentence. The Indian Press has reserved its comments on the sentences. The Nationalists are delighted at the Acquittal of Arabindo Ghose, The trial was commenced in October before a judge, assisted by assessors, who reported a fortnight ago. During the trial, the assistant Crown prosecutor, 'Asutosh Biswas, was shot. Arabindo Ghoee, who has been acquitted, is a well-

educated Bengali, who has long been one of the chief directors of the Nationalist movement. Modern. The Ameer of Afghanistan has imported several motor-cars from England, and hag engaged a chauffeur from London. Lord Charles Beresford’s Advice. Admiral Lord Charles Beresford, speaking at the Liverpool Town Hall, after receiving the degree of Doctor of Laws from the Birmingham University, said that the Committee now sitting on naval defence was as fair a committee as he had ever been summoned before. If they found things not as they should be, which he had no doubt they would, there would be no necessity for a panic or for recrimination. “Let us return,” he said, “to the old British style, lay the whole thing on the table, look at it, see where it is wrong, and calmly and quietly put it right without recrimination from parties or individuals.” Later Lord Beresford made a speech at the Southport Physical Training College. He had great faith, he said, in Mr. Asquith’s Committee. There would be many points destined to become public which would cause dissatisfaction, but let them bury party and get together to put things right. No party wanted to see the foreigner here. He did not belong to the party in power, but they were taking a national view of naval affairs, and anything he could do to help them he would to the best of his ability. What had happened was that Britain had deferred her liabilities and obligations, and when an individual or nation does that the money must be got somewhere to put himself or itself right.