THE NEAR EAST.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1922, Page 2

THE NEAR EAST.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. AUSTRALIAN CONTINGENT. SYDNEY, Sept. 18. Although nothing is to be done in the way of enlistments until after tomorrow’s Federal Cabinet meeting, men started early this morning to visit the barracks, and continued throughout the day, inquiring with a view to enlistment. The majority of the inquiries were from returned officers and soldiers. They wore told “Nothing doing yet! Call later!” The indications arc that if a call comes, there would be a generous response. All machinery for the enrolment of men is ready for immediate operation.

The view is expressed that all the British Government requires at the present is merely a definite assurance thal assistance from the Dominions would he forthcoming if required.

AUSTRALIAN PRESS ATTITUDE

SYDNEY, Sept. 18,

Yesterday’s war news and the appeal to the Dominions came as a surprise. A great mass .if the public were unaware of the developments till they read the morning papers. Most political and military leaders favour various parts of the Empire acting in unison, in sending contingents if the need requires it, and the press, and public opinion very largely supports this view. The "Sydney Morning Herald,” m a leader, sums up the .situation thus. “The Empire must speak with one voice, and the Imperial Government's appeal is for a united front as far as Australian co-operation is concerned. There can be only one answer from Australian people’, and we prophesy it will be more than adequate.”

SI1? K. CHAYtOII’S VIEW'S. "WELLINGTON, .Sept 19. Sir E. Chavtor. who commanded die X.Z. .Mounted in Palestine states he lias correspondence from Arab friends showin r affairs there are far trom satisfactory. (louentll.v speaking, the whole country is in a ferment and it would not take much to bring about a mineral flareuo. The danger is that if "tlie Turks are held up at Dardanelles they will seek reprisals in 1 alestine and other districts shorn away from their territory. The Allies had fortified the Asiatic side opposite Constantinople, hut not opposite the Dardanelles, and gnus could fie mount ed on the hills to shell ships. He believed the Turks had plenty of ammunition. If we send a contingent, lie favours young, single men, -<> to 30 and considers there would he no difficulty in raising 7(XM) to 8000.

NU MEROUS VOLUNTEERS. WELLINGTON, September 18.

'l'he Prime Minister reports having been inundated with applications for military service to-day, and states he received a telegram this afternoon from “The Legion of Frontiersmen,” Auckland, offering to mobilise 300 men and more if wanted, and also a nursing section, field transport etc.

Mr Massey also received during the dav telegrams from many ex-officeis and ex-service men. from all parts of the Dominion, requesting that their names he enrolled for service, if they should he required. WELLINGTON". September 18.

Rush of men anxious to enroll in the expeditionary force continued all day up to nine o’clock to-night. Nearly twelve hundred names have been entered up.

GOVERNOR GENERAL MOVES. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, Sent. 19. The Governor General lias cancelled his Sydney engagements and departed for Melbourne to-night, in view of the Turkish situation. RUSH TO ENLIST. MELBOURNE, Sept. 19 The authorities arc besieged with inquiries from ex-service officers and men desirous of enlisting. Reports from tic? other capitals show a similar spirit is prevalent. CAPE SUPPORT. (Received this day at 8.30 a.m.) CAPETOWN, Sept. IS. Commenting on the appeal to the Dominions, the Cape “Times” says the South African Government ought to announce in the clearest terms that the British Government will have Die unswerving, moral support of the union, in its determination to resist the violation of the demilitarist neutral zone, and if necessary,■ and if Parliament (iiUjiorises, material support id so.