New-York tribune., 1906-04-29
TURKEY MUST RECEDE.
IRRITATION IN BRITAIN.
Preparation to Enforce Demand in
Sinai Peninsula.

London, April 2s-The patience of Great
Britain with Turkey over the Tabah affair is
about exhausted. II was understood at the
Foreign Office to-day that If the Sultan did not
soon acoede TO the British demands there would
soon be another demonstration before Turkish
port.
Some months have elapsed since the Egyptian
government discovered that Turkish troops had
occupied Tabah heretofore considered TO be an
unimportant port at the head OF the Gulf Of
Akabah Turkey. Great Britain believes. oc-
cupied Tabah because she feared that Egypt.
which proposed 10 extend a short line of rail-
road to that port, would obtain control of the
Gulf OF Akabah. Great Britain sets forth that
this is far from being the intention OF Egypt.
AS soon as the occupation Of Tabah was dis
covered Egypt asked Turkey for explana-
tion. and the Sultan in reply contended that
Tabah was within his empire. This was dis
puted. but Great Britain offered 10 submit the
question OF boundary delimitation to a COM
mission. Turkey in the mean time TO withdraw
her troops.
The Sultan declined this offer, but offered 10
negotiate with Lord Cromer, the British agent
at Cairo. The British government acceded to
this. but was astounded 10 learn, as soon as the
negotiations opened, that the Turkish commls-
sjoner at Cairo in behalf Of the Sultan, claimed
half of the SINAI feIlliAsuds anu StNDOoANA'S g.
bered TO his demand that the half of the Sinai
Peninsula. which is considered 10 be a buffer
state ~ Fce-rpt. was Turkish territory and that
:, sbo,ld he given over TO the Sultan.
Fg,nt refused TO do So the negotiations were
brol,en off and the Foreign Office here will take
Nm the case with the Porte Thus far no COM
rnunication has been sent 10 Constantinople on
the subject. Great Britain being first anxious TO
ascertain whether the Sultan authorized the
Turkish commissioner at Cairo TO claim haf or
the peninsula This has been found to be most
diAacuIt. as the British Ambassador has been
unable 20 see the sultan, who is either III or
feigning illness.
Turkeys attitude is the cause Of much irrita-
ton here and the government is prepared TO
take the most severe measures 10 protect Esyp-
tian territory. There are many theories on what
IS influencing Turkey. The British Foreign Of
fee holds that the Turkish commissioner at
cairo is largely responsible for the present situ-
a,ton and that he probably has been led by Ger
man scientists and merchants at Cairo 10 be-
lieye that Germany will support Turkeys ag
gression There appears. however. to be
ground for some OF the press statements that
Germany is actually so doing.
King Edward and Sir Charles Hardinge, the
Permanent Under Secretary of the Foreign Of
fee will return to London carly next week,
when A meeting OF the Council will be held and
possibly final steps in the matter may be taken
10 impress the Sultan with the necessity for the
withdrawal Of his demands.
The British cruiser Minerva left Port Said for
Tcl Arlsh to-day In order 10 ascertain whether
fl is true that the Turks have removed the
boundary posts at certain points
Naples, April 2S.-King Edward and Sir
Charles Hardinge have received many dis
,H,olgF Faav,,
and Sir Edward Grey in regard TO the trouble
with Turkey. According 10 report. the King has
issued instructions that the hrmest attitude be
assumed by the British officials.