CABLE NEWS THE NEAR EAST.

Gisborne Times, 17 October 1908, Page 5

CABLE NEWS

THE NEAR EAST.

THE SUGGESTED CONFERENCE.

THE DARDANELLES

Exited Press Association. Copyright

LONDON, Oct, 15

The “Times” . states that Britain, Franco, and Russia are prepared to attend the conference as disinterested Power’s. Tho Dardanelles question will not be -raised, but will be reserved for further friendly adjustment. -PARIS, Oct. 15.

Leading .French newspapers sup-, port the Russian wishes in reference to the -Dardanelles. They suggest that a good solution will be to leave tlie passage open in times of peace,.fend to close it at war time if Turkey ‘so desires. “Le Temps” reproaches England for pillaging Turkey in Cyprus and Egypt. '

[The Dardanelles is a strait separating Europe-from Asia, and joining tlie sea of -Marmosa and the areliipela'go. It extends 40 miles southwestward, and varies in 'breadth from one to f-our miles. Both sides tare strongly fortified. In 1841 it was arrange diby treaty tlia-t no non-Tur-kie-h snips of war should passthrough I'm- strait without the -.-ouseiit of Turkey. This arrangement was confirmed in 1856, 1871, and 1878. In February of the last-named year a British fleet -passed through, without that consent, but -with the abject of protecting -Constantinople against the Russians. Under an agreement between Russia and Turkey in 1801, ships of the -Russian volunteer fleet, flying •fihe flag of the mercantile marine, are allowed to pass the Dardanelles, buit if they are to carry soldiers or convicts notice must be given to the Turkish Government.] _ COMPENSATION QUESTION. SERVIA’S WISHES. United Press Association. Copyright LONDON, Oct. 15. M. Isvolskv is in complete agreement -with Great Britain and France in considering that compensation to Sorvia, Turkey, and Montenegro must not be at the expense of others not involved.

- Advices from Belgrade are to tho effect- that Servia will ask as compensation'the international guarantee of the integrity of- her territory.

BULGARIAN INDEPENDENCE

AN AUSTRIAN STIPELaTI(>N.

United Press Association. Copyright

BELGRADE, Oct. 15. The military party is getting the upper hand in Bulgaria. M. Malinoff, the Premier, states that if Europe exacts a ransom as the price of -independence, Bulgaria will prefer to fight. LONDON, Oct. 15.

Germany and Austria have intimated that Bulgaria must obtain the Porte’s consent before negotiating with the Oriental Railway Company, and adding: “Recognition of independence is dependent on the satisfactory settlement of the Company’s claim/' Austria declines to agree to a conference unless the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is accepted as an accomplished fact, and legalised without discussion.

ST. PETERSBURG, Oct, 15

- The “Novoe Vreinya” advocates a Balkan federation under a regenerated Turkish hegemony as the best defence oF the Balkan interests against Austria’s attacks.

MAHOMMEDAN MEETINGS. BRITAIN THANKED FOR PEACE, United Press Association. Copyright CALCUTTA, Oct, 15. At many Maliommedan ■ meetings in India, Britain was thanked for having attained peace in connection with the Balkan crisis. They were informed by Mr. Risley, Home Secretary for the Government of India, that strong British- representations had been made to Persia of the importance of intercepting caravans “conveying illicit arms to Afghanistan.

THE MEETING OF MINISTERS.

A GRATIFYING ANNOUNCEMENT

United Press Association. Copyright (Received Oct. 16, 10.30 p.m.)

LONDON, Oct. 16

The following announcement' has been agreed upon between Sir Edward Grey and M. Isvolslty, Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs, and issued by the Foreign Office: The exchange of views between M. Lsvoisky and Sir Edward Grey led to a complete agreement regarding the Near East. It was agreed that a conference was necessary, but in order to ensure the success of reaffirming a respect for the law of nations and making reparation to those injured, the conference should, be limited to a scope that would deal exclusively with questions arising out of violations of the Treaty of Berlin. The first object of the conference was regarding compensation to Turkey. On this pointit seems a general agreement among the Powers is that ‘.provision must 'also' be made ,with a view of'effectively strengthening .the present, regime .of Turkey, which affords the best [guard for the i maintenance of poatiev

Likewise,; it was hoped that means would be found to meet ,reasonable wishes, of the. smaller Balkam States,; bub-not at Turkey’s expense. There is good reason to believe that the Cretan question could be satisfactorily dealt -with, although provisionally excluded from the scope- of the conference as* being, in tho first instance, a question for discussion betjveen Turkey . -and the. protecting Power, M. Isvolsky and Sir Edward Grey hoped that the moderation, reasonableness, and -disinterestedness of these views would commend them to the signatories. It was not intended to eubmit the question of the Dardanelles to the conference. That was a question wherein Russia and Turkey- were primarily concerned was-.no desire o-n Russia’s T Trt to settle it -in any. sense hostile to Turkey, of. seek for compensation, inasmuch as Russia enters the conference as one of tire disinterested Powers. It was finally declared that- the subjects arising under the Anglo-Russian Convention had been reviewed, and the discussion proved the views of the two Ministers to be identical, which promised a continuance of cordial and harmonious co-operation of; tlie two Governments, and a settlement of the Central Asian question. SOLUTION OF THE QUESTION. UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT NECESSARY. United Tress Association. Copyright (Received Oct. 16, 10.30 p.m.) PARIS, Oct, 16. M. Picbon, interviewed on the Balkan question, said it must be solved by a unanimous, equitable, and cordial agreement between the Powers of Europe. The Anglo-Russo-French understanding was closer than ever.

RUSSIAN . SELF-RESTRAINT. TURKEY’S PEACEFUL INTENTIONS. United Press Association. Copyright (Received- Oct. 16, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 16. The “Times,” commenting on Russia’s abnegation and self-restraint, says: “It is profoundly gratifying to find ourselves side by side with a new Russia in championing the rights of a new Turkey.”

The. Porte, in a circular to its Ambassadors abroad regarding the military activity in Bulgaria, reiterates Turkey’s pacific intentions. It adds that -should; ..Bulgaria persist m_JLior present attitude Turkey would reluctantly be compelled to take precautionary measures, and would decline responsibility in the event of a conflict occurring.