At the beginning of the war the British Government gave definite assurances that if Turkey remained neutral her independence and integrity would be respected during the war and in terms of peace. In this pact Russia concurred.
The British Government has since then endeavoured with the greatest patience and forbearance to preserve friendly relations in spite of increasing breach of neutrality on the part of the Turkish Government at Constantinople and in the case of the German vessels in the Straits.
On October 29 the British Government learnt with the utmost regret that Turkish ships of war had, without any declaration of war and without warning or provocation of any sort, made wanton attacks upon an open undefended town in the Black Sea of a friendly country, thus committing an unprecedented violation of the most ordinary rules of international law and usage.
The Turkish Government summarily on Friday shut off telegraphic communication with the British Embassy at Constantinople. This is no doubt the prelude to further acts of aggression on their part. The British Government must take whatever action is required to protect British interests and British territory in Egypt from attacks made and threatened.
• A branch of the National Reserve was firmly established at Waitahuna on Wednesday evening, when Lieutenant-colonel Stewart, of Milton, and Sergeant-major Rowe, in charge of the Tuapeka district, attended.
Lieutenant-colonel Stewart fully explained the aims and objects of the movement, pointing out that it was first and foremost organised to defend our country if necessary. Thirty members attended the first drill, and considering the rawness of the members, they acquitted themselves remarkably well.
More members are joining and this branch will soon have a membership of 60 or more. It was decided to hold drill exercises on Friday evening once a fortnight.
• Nemesis evidently dogged the steps of a certain ''absentminded beggar'' who attempted to evade his responsibilities by joining the Expeditionary Force (says the Balclutha Free Press). This young man's name has been before the local court on one or two occasions in connection with affiliation proceedings, but the authorities had failed to locate him.
He had, in fact, gone to the North Island, and enlisted at Palmerston North, and might have got clean away but for a peculiar coincidence. Instead of remaining with the Wellington contingent he happened to be one of a hundred men drafted down to Dunedin to complete Otago's quota, and as luck would have it he found himself in the squadron commanded by a Clutha officer not unknown in legal circles, and who possessed a full knowledge of the young man's attempt to shirk his responsibilities.
The delinquent was promptly recognised, but before the long arm of the law could reach him he took alarm and promptly left the camp at Tahuna Park.
The law, however, was on his track, and the other day he was arrested, and has now been brought to book. If his desire for soldiering was really genuine he probably now wishes that he had stayed in camp, and faced the ''music,'' as in addition to his other troubles he has rendered himself liable to be treated as a deserter.
- ODT, 3.11.1914.
