CABLE NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1922, Page 2

CABLE NEWS

THE NEAR EAST.

AUSTIt A.LIAN AND N. 3. CABLE ASSOCIATION'. REPORTS CONTRA DICTED. LONDON, Sept, 18. Latest telegrams from Smyrna do not confirm the alarming reports of the loss of lifci though undoubtedly it is great. The American Red Cross is feeding fifteen thousand refugees daily, pending their evacuation. ATHENS, Sept. 18. The Armenian Metropc'itan of Smyrna was not murdered as reported. He has arrived here. A FRENCH VIEW. PARIS, Sept 18. The “.Matin” considers Britain’s violent attitude in the present circumstances is a veritable madness. It is a ridiculous idea that the Kemalists are contemplating an invasion of Europe!. It declares it is a surprising disproportion between a disturbance in Lloyd Georgian circles anel a friend by settlement which was expectable. It state's the French Government is perfectly cool :<nd declines to be dragged into such an aberration.

The “Petit Parisien” (requests its British friends to refrain from upsetting the Near East just when the French had proclaimed an agreement with them, subject to the freedom of the Straits. It appeals to the Turks not to throw themselves into the arms of Russia and thus sooner, or later, bring about a new war.

CABINET DECISION. FIGHT ALONE—IF NECESSARY. i LONDON, September 18. The Cabinet has decided that the British Empire will see the Dardanelles crisis through—alone, if necessary. I.LOYD GEORGE’S MESSAGE. LONDON, September 18. Mr Lloyd George lias telegraphed to the Prime Ministers of New Zenlnnd and Australia stating that “their prompt response regarding troops to assist in preserving the sanctity of Gallipoli, had been received with enthusiasm.” He adds: -“The Empire cannot consent to sacrifice the results of the gallant struggle by its sons in the Eastern theatre.” READY TO SEND FORCES. LONDON, September 18. Lord Kavnn, Chief of Staff, land Trehehard, Chief of the Air Ministry, and Lord Beatty attended to-day’s meeting of the Cabinet, at which Ministers and experts discussed for two hours measures to keep the freedom of the Straits.

It is understood that all services are ready to send reinforcements from England immediately if necessary. Details of the reinforcements were agreed upon. It is understood that the attitude of Cabinet is that the British Empire is prepare'! to see the Dardanelles crisis through by itself—if necessary. No official communication has been received thus far from France or Italy, nor have South Africa or Canada replied to the British note.

KEMAL NOT BLUFFING. LONDON, September 18. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Constantinople correspondent states: “With the British rushing every available unit to the Dardanelles, the military situation in Constantinople is critical. It is no exaggeration to say that Turkey is very close to open war—with Britain at least—and perhaps with France. The Allied authorities have decided that Kemal Paslia is not bluffing when lie says the Allied military forces of occupation must go.

The hopes for a conference which would solve anything are nil. It is stated Kemal would lie in the position of a dictator unless the Allies are willing to fight.

KEMAr. GIVES WEEK’S NOTICE. LONDON, September 18. The “Daily Telegraph's’’ Constantinople correspondent says : —“The military experts estimate that from fifteen to twenty Allied divisions will be needed if Rental's thrust is to be parried, and no one knows whence they are

I coming.” “Biitish officers have told me to-day that Rental Pasha has given, the Allies , six days in which to leave Constantinople.'" ! “The spirit of Kemal’s Turk Army is that uf a victorious force. The men , are eager to press forward. Their discipline is excellent. Gone is the old stiffness which was the product of GerninnvVs instrnction.” “A camaraderie is now established similar to that of the French Army. The equipment is first class and'most of the rifles are the latest French models, while the artillery are armed with Hotchkiss of the latest pattern. The Turk artillery also carry the automatic “S.S.” rifles. If the Allies’ forces fight they will meet highly specialised and \ve%-drilled troops, possessing a splondid morale and cherishing the legends of Kut and El Amnrn; hut forgetting Lord Allehhy's victories. Tveinal Posh a has another Army in Irak, consisting of new recruits from the Kurdish hill tribes, with a sprinkling of old veterans. Jowat Pasha is leading this army. He is celebrated for his hatred of everything British. He will he able to keep several regiments of British Regulars busy in Mesopotamia, while the main Kemalist forces are operating elsewhere. Kemal has no thought for any enemy except the British, though he continually refers to the Allied forces. If war comes, an army of at least three hundred thousand will he re- j quired by the Allies to liquidate the situation. j JUGO-SLAV ATTITUDE. LONDON, September 18. Belgrade reports show that the report of the mobilisation of the Jugoslav army is not true, but a. considerable concentration of troops is taking place in South Eastern Serbia. The Government is considering the calling up of the first class reserves, to counter any possible Bulgarian, action. The press and public are reported to ho against a return of the Turks to Europe. Jugo-Slavia will nssfst the Allies 1 to maintain the status quo. :

TURKS MOVE TOWARD STRAITS. SEVENTY THOUSAND MEN. LONDON, September 18. Tke “Daily Telegraph’s” Constan-—-tinople correspondent continues: Kemal Pasha is now moving the bulk of his army northwards. It is in excellent shape, despite its rapid advance to Smyrna. He is threatening the neutral zones of both the Dardanelles and the Bospliorous. Kemal is able to throw seventy thousand troops into any battle. Nevertheless Kemal’s chief card is the instigation of riots and revolution ’Constantinople and Thrace. Already disguised Turkish officers have made their appearance in Stamboul organising bands of Chetahs irregulars, who will he ready to loot and slay directly the word is given. The troops garrisoning Constantinople are so few that it will he impossible to maintain order if the mobs break loose. The terrors of Smyrna will he nothing compared with what is in store for the foreign quarters of Constantinople, unless the Allies throw in sufficient troops.

CALL TO DOMINIONS. LONDON, Sept. 18. 'The London “Evening Standard,” under the heading: “A History of Blunders,” prints a statement hearing tlie evidences of having been officially inspired from Downing Street. The article is one calculated to modify tlie first impression, that was caused by Saturday’s manifesto. It says:—“We learn that the document was drafted by a Cabinet Minister for the guidance of those who might be called upon to answer inquiries concerning tlie British Govern merit’s position. It was issued with the Prime Minister’s approval, but it was unofficial. It was unofficial because it was not agreed upon by the Cabinet.

“Why so important a statement came to he published so casually, is not explained.” “There is not tha expectation that troops will be called from the Dominions, unless Kemal Pasha becomes aggressive, and creates an intolerable position.” - Tlie paper proceeds:—“ln no country, and among no section, is there any desire for an outbreak of war. Telegrams have been received from Kemal Pasha, the Turk Leader, himself making it clear that he does not regard Britain as his enemy.” “Tlie statesmen abroad must not accept, ’t'ii.s statement as official, though it reflects the views of the Government.”

“On Saturday (says the paper) the Permier sanctioned the publication of a Note, which was not a Cabinet document, and wliidh was not sent to either tlie French or the Italian Governments.”

Tlie whole tenor of tlie article which hears a striking resemblance to those of the other evening papers, suggests that it is intended to discount charges that are being made by the “Daily Mail” and hv other papers that the Prime Minister’s policy was one that was rushing the country, headlong into war.

If the article is to he taken as semi-official it must he regarded also ns soothing syrup, to relieve the public agitation" raised by Saturday’s manifesto which was handed out for broadcasting through the Press. The manifesto was published as deliberately as such a document could possibly be. Tlie Government threw out its little rubben bomb without realisSng it would bounce so much. Discussions are now concentrating upon the question: “Who was responsible for the somewhat flamboyant document?”

ANGORA ASSURANCE. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Sept 19

It is unofficially stated that the French Government has received from tlie Angora Government a formal assurance that Turkish troops will not attempt to enter Constantinople! or try to cross the Straits.

TURK LEADER’S ATTITUDE. CONSTANTINOPLE, Sept 18. - Mr Ward Price, the British war correspondent says:—“My own belief, after a long talk I’ve had with Keiual Pasha, the leader of the Turkish Nationalists at Smyrna, is that lie will prefer to negotiate, rather than to challenge the Allies to any trial of strength. . Air Ward Price adds: —There is still a ‘possibility that some fanatical elements in the Turkish National Assembly at Angora may force him to take military action, but if Ivemal is checked anywhere, the whole prestige of the recent Turkish victory will be lost. Tile destruction of Smyrna lias already greatly weakened Kemal.

THE ALLIED NOTE TO TURKS. Constantinople reports state Entente High Commissioners handed a Nationalist ijepre.sentiytiye a note pointing out though without prejudice to any eventual peace terns, that it is undesirable that the Turkish Nationalists should violate neutral zones as these were defined by the Allies. ANTI-WAR CONFERENCE. LONDON, Sept. 18. A municipal employees’ conference in London protested against the 'Government’s action in sending troops to Constantinople and adopted a resolution that: “No man, ship or ammunition should leave this country m suppert of such war.” WHAT DOES FRANCE SAY ? LONDON, Sept 18. It is now admitted that the British Cabinet lias received a communication from Paris, but its nature is not disclosed. . Following on a Cabinet meeting, was announced that Lord Curzon, Foi nigu Minister was going to laris to lay the British views before M. loui?<Uhis shows that it is the Cabinet’s belief that the situation cannot he met by an interchange of notes. ' The Cabinet still expects that the Allies will act in contort regarding the defence of the Straits.

GERMANY REVELLING.

IN HOPES OF ALLIED DISUNION

(Received this day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, September 19

The “Morning Post’s” \Berlin eorresvondent states the press of all shades of opinion is revelling in despatches from London, Paris and Athens dealing with the imminence of an Anglo-TurkisU war. One reads in every newspaper that Canada and South Africa are upwilling to raise troops for such a war, and that an unnamed Indian member of the Council threatens Hon, 'Lloy4 George with the final alienation of seventy-five million Indian Moslems if he persists in the present policy. German newspapers also assert France will pot tolerate a new Gibraltar on the Bosphorous, and that Soviet Riwifi- has begun military operation* with ft VIPW tei supporting Ivfntftii