The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-31
Government Asks Relief
From Tariff Fetters and
Other Wrongs
MAKE PROPOSAL TO
DIVIDE ADRIANOPLE
Ottomans Do Not Hesitate to Recog-
nize That Conclusion of Peace
Corresponds With the Hopes
and Interests of All

constantinople, January 30.-1n its reply
to the joint note of the powers the Young
Turks government asserts itself boldly.
Apart from proposals to divide Adrianople
and plea for the retention of the Aegean
islands, the new government takes ad-
vantage of the occasion to press for re-
lief from the fetters of tariff and for
eigners extra territorial rights, under
which Turks long have chafed
The Ottoman government does not
hesitate to recognize that the conclusion
of peace corresponds with the hopes and
interest of all,'' says the note, "and that
1t is desirable to put an end as soon
as possible to a struggle which it in
no way provoked.
THE imperial government has already
given undeniable proof of a concliiatory
spirit by consenting to immediate sac
rifices- Adrianople being an essential
mussulman town and the second capital
in Turkey, and therefore indissolubiy
bound up with the empire, the mere ru-
NOR of its cession provoked sentiment
of reprobation throughout the country
and aroused such excitement as to bring
about the resignation of the last cabinet.
Insists Upon Left Bank
The Turkish government is willing,
as a final proof off Ks pacific disposition,
TO place itself IN the nands of the pow
ers regarding that part of Adrianople
situated on the right bank of the Martha.
The mosques and historic monuments
are ON the left bank and the retention Of
that section is necessity which the gov
efninent cannot fail to take account OF
without exposing the country to a cofamo-
ton which might result In the gravest
consequence"
Regarding the Aegean islands, the argu-
ment IS set forth that those nearest the
Dardaneles are indispensable to the de-
Tense OF the capital while the others,
forming an integral part of Asia Minor,
are no less Indispensable to the security
of the Asiatfc professions. Any diminu-
ton of Turkish authority, therefore,
would transform them into centers of
agitation, which would spread to the adj
joining shores and create a state of un-
rest similar to that in Macedonia. (which
has threatened and still threatens the
tranquility of Europe"
Turkey offers to abide by the decision
of the powers regarding the status of
the islands occupied by the allies II they
nave regard for the foregoing considera-
tions and the integrity of the Dardanelles,
which thenote clevery contends is a
question of the highest Importance to
Europe In conclusion, the note says:
The imperial government Is convinced
that the great powers in spirit of justice
and equity Will recognize the extent of
the sacrifices to which Turkey has con-
sented and will agree that the scublime
porte would be right in rejecting any
further demands which might be raised
by the Balkan allies"
The Turkish note adds that II is in
dispensable that the powers recognize
now and henceforth Turkeys right to
adopt an autonomous tariff without be-
Ing fettered and 20 conclude CONNER
cial treaties on the principles of mod
ern law. 1t asks COR "a provisional In
crease in the tariff of per cent and
the abolition of foreign postoffices. 1t
suggests declaration by the powers
of their desire to end the capitulations
system.
The porte has protested to the pow
ers against the dunciation of armistice
by the Balkan allies.
Washington, January 30.--The fol-
lowing cablegram from the imperial OF
toman embassy at Constan tinople was
received today at the Turkish embassy
here:
Certain rumors seem to circulate to
the effect that the new Ottoman cab
met shows a tendency to enforce with
in the empire coercive and arbitrary
measures, such as imprisonments of
eminent persons, wholesale arrests and
the like.
"The imperial Ottoman embassy at
most formal denial to these rumors. .