OCCASIONAL NOTE

While the Allied occupation of Nish leaves no room for doubt as to Turkey’s physical isolation from Germany, the composition of the new Cabinet had already convinced those acquainted with Turkey’s internal politics of the fact that further Turkish resistance to the Allies was inconceivable. Tewfik Pasha, the new Grand Vizier, is an old fashioned Liberal of the now almost extinct school of Kiamil Pasha. He spent many years in London, where, in Foreign Office circles he was persona gratissima, and one of his sons was entered at Balliol College, Oxford. Ahmed Riza Bey, the new Foreign Minister, was for years before the Young Turk revolution of 1908 a well-known figure in Par is.

He speaks per fect French, and his mind is cast in the mould of the logical French politician who makes all but a fetish of libre pensee. He was a prominent figure in the first Young Turk Parliament. Isset Pasha, who succeeds the Chauvinist Enver at the Seraskeriat, is the very negation of Enverite chauvinism. He was driven from the command of the Turkish Army dur ing the Second Balkan War, when Enver took advantage of Bulgaria’s pre-occupation and organised the raid on Adrianople. The accession of these men to power proves that Young Turk statesmanship is not exhausted, and that an effort may yet be made to build up a Turkey which, if confined within somewhat restricted geographical limits, may be of importance in the world’s councils.

CO-OPERATIVE CONFERENCE

At the resumed sitting of the Co-operative Conference this morning the discussion on the question of the propriety of granting takavi loans to co-operative societies was continued. At any time, whether scarcity is prevalent or not, Local Governments should place at the disposal of the provincial or central banks or primary societies such proportion of the Budget allotment available for takavi loans under Act 12 of 1884 as it thinks fit. Mr. English moved that the Committee’s recommendation in regard to loans under the Land Improvement Loans Act should be accepted by the Conference. This was agreed to. The question of having separate accounts for loans under the Agricultural Loans Act and the Land Improvement Loans Act was discussed at length. It recommends that an influential committee of bankers, business men and co-operative workers should be assembled on as early a date as the Government of India consider practicable to examine the quest ion of financing the co-operative movement in all its bearings. The Conference adjourned till tomorrow.

JAPAN AND CHINA CO-OPERATE

The Japanese Government have issued the following statement:- In consequence of the growing activities of armed German and Austro-Hungarian prisoners, who in conjunction with Soviet forces are pressing upon the Chinese frontier in the direction of the town of Manchuli, from which the Japanese and Chinese inhabitants are fleeing, the Japanese and Chinese Governments have agreed as a provisional measure that the emergency portion of Japanese troops at present stationed in South Manchuria be ordered immediately to Manchuli. The statement emphasises that this step is actuated solely by the harmonious co-operation between Japan and China in face of threatening danger, and in undertaking it the Japanese Government will scrupulously respect the sovereignty of China and the rights and interests of the local population.

GENERAL DEBENEY S TRIUMPHAL MARCH

Reuter’s special correspondent at French headquarters, wiring on Saturday evening, says: How General Debeney attacking early in the morning from the south-west, swept past Assain Villers plateau, reached by noon Faverolles, and an hour later took Etelfay and completely surrounded Montdidier is described as a triumphal march by the oldest veterans. Meanwhile, between Montdidier and the Oise the French made a bound forward of 2 to 3 miles. Captured officers state that never before have they been pressed back at such a rate. Light tanks played a great part in the drive, having a great number of casualties. The territory captured is crammed with abandoned material, including guns and shells of all calibres. Twenty-one guns were captured at Neuville, including six big howitzers.