CABLE NEWS. THE NEAR EAST.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1922, Page 3

CABLE NEWS. THE NEAR EAST.

AUSTRALIAN AND N. 3. CABLE ASSOCIATION,

SMYRNA. ON FIREROME, September 14

Advices from Smyrna state that a terrible fire is now raging in the city.

The Greeks and the Armenian quarters of the city have been destroyed. The flames are now spreading to the other areas. The inhabitants of Smyrna are panic stricken. The Italian ships in port are embarking the Italian Colony. The Italian Government is dispatching vessels with provisions and medical stores, The Italian Government has also ordered the concentration of Italian Warships at Smyrna and Arons.

A GREAT BLAZE. LONDON, September 1.5.

The London “Daily Telegraph's” Smyrna correspondent states that the fire there started in the heart of the Armenian quarter, leaving 60,000 homeless. It destroyed the Greek and Armenian districts. The beautiful foreign quarter in the western part of the* city is also in ruins, but the Turkish quarter is untouched. The qnnys and the waterside are thronged with panic-stricken refugees, who are in the direst straits. They, are hungry, and are threatened hy marauding robbers.

Foreign destroyers are anchored, in the harbour and they keep their searchlights on the crowds throughout a terrible night, to protect them, while a cordon of regular Turkish soldiers also guard them.

The woman chief 6f the American Collegiate Institute in Smyrna, alleges that n Turkish sergeant or officer, entered the first building where the flames started, carrying small tins, apparently of paraffin. The fire began immediately he departed. It is estimated that there are 1000 dead.

The European and American financial losses will probably aggregate £12,000,000.

The destruction includes the large, crowded stores of the Near East Relief Committee

The Armenian and Greek villages outside the city have also been set on fire with the residential suburbs of Ifurnabat and Botidjn. A Reuter report records that alarming reports of the Kcmalist excesses eomo from Athens. A Greek journalist who lias arrived at Piraeni alleges that the Greek* Church and Armenian Church metropolitans at Smyrna have been murdered by the Turks and. also About 2000 soldiers, whose bodies the Turks have thrown into the sea. A terrible panic prevails among the Chris, tiaii refugees in Asia ,Minor. TURKS WILL FIGHT: ■ LONDON, September 1-1. The London “Daily Telegraph’s” Smyrna correspondent reports: Musta. phn Kemal, the Turkish lender,* in a statement, said: “We do not want to fight Britain, hut Constantinople must be given up peacefully. If not we will fight for it. We demand Constantinople, Adrianople, and that part of Thrace fin Europe), which is predominately Turkish.'’ SOVIET TAUNTS. LONDON, Sept. 14. The Soviet Commissary for Foreign Affairs has circulated a Note to the Powers, protesting against the Allies’ cln/im to settle the problem of the Dardanelles. Me contends that it is the business of the, Black Sea Powers and not of outsiders, to deal with this j matter.

The Note sneeringly adds that the Allies are too exhausted to deal with Turkey, except on a pacific basis.

A statement officially communicated to the “Morning Post.” clears up the persitently broadcasted rumours that the Krit.Mli Foreign Office has provoked the Turks, by refusing to receive their emissaries who visited London with the object of securing the recogniton of the Turkish cause. Tlie facts are stated to uc that Yussuf Kemal Bey .the actual Foreign Secretary in the Angora Government, when in London on his peace mission in May last, had three lengthy interviews with Lord C’urzon, in which the entire situation ’was discussed. Fethey Bey, when in London more recently, Wits not refused an audience. The Britsh Foreign Secretary, who was then ill sent, it message to Fethey Bey to go to the Foreign Office, and write a statement for communication to the Foreign Secretary, which lie did.

WAITING ON FRENCH DECISION. LONDON. Sept. 1-1. British official circles regard the Near East situation us being obscure, i It is stated that nothing is yet known as to the Turkish Kenmlists’ intention regarding 'the Dardanelles Straits and a neutral zone. The British Government is eagerly awaiting the French Cabinet’s decision to-day, and also a precise explanation of a phrase in a previous Frjencli communique ,viz.: “The safegunnding of Turkey’s legitimate aspirations.” It is hoped that the French view's will bo received in time for Hie British Cabinet’s meeting on Saturday. | RUSSIA OFFERS. LONDON, Sept 14. A note from the Soviet Government, addresed to the Allies, has been recived in London from Moscow, dealing with tho Turkish situation. The note declares that Russia cannot Inbound by any decision that tho. Allies may reach, and it makes certain reservations regarding) a Near East settlement. . The Note also expresses satisfaction with the Turkish victories. It adds •that all the Russian people are on the side of Turkey. The Soviet offers to secure an agreement.

PALESTINE ItEVOLT DENIED. LONDON, Sept H. The Colonial Office denies the newspaper reports that a revolt in Palestine is imminent. It states that tin country is tranquil. TURKISH ARMY ORDER. CONSTATINOPLE, Sept. 15. Kemal PaSlm in the course ot an. army order expressing appreciation ot the efforts' of troops to attain tho lust objective, namely the Mediterranean. He adds he. is convinced they will bo animated by the same spirit of sacrifice in the new task which will lie assigned them,