THE NEAR EAST.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1922, Page 3

THE NEAR EAST.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. EX SERVICERS RUSH TO COLORS. LONDON, September 18. Many Australian and New Zealand ex-soldiers are enquiring with a. view to the formation of contingents, desiring to re-enlisti. The Australian and New Zealand Services Association nrei convening a special meeting to consider the situation. They propose to appeal to Mr Hughes and Mr Massey on behalf of ex-servicers throughout Britain, to give them an opportunity to enlist of a contingent is raised. LARGE ENLISTMENTS. ’WELLINGTON, Sept 1!>. lip to. 12.4.5 p.m. to-day, 94 officers, 4 nurscß and 1403 other ranks had enrolled at Buckle Street, lor the Expeditionary Force. A steady stream of recruits is still flowing in. All are single men, of a fine stamp. Over 90 per cent are in employment. The enrolment constitutes an easy record, far exceeding the best figures for an advance party or main expeditionary farce in the late-war. Jt is officially announced that if the contiu gent is sent units will be mobilised and trained in their respective commands. There will thus be no ceutinl camp-, as occurred in the late war. THAMES, Sept. ID. At mid-day forty men had enrolled locally, including many returned soldiers.

FEDERAL ATTITUDE. STATEMENT BY MR HUGHES. (Received this day at 8 a.in.) MELBOURNE, Sept 19. After Cabinet consideration of the Imperial Government invitation to the Dominions to bo represented by contingents for defence ol interests for which they had already made enormous scnrificcs, and of soil hallowed by immortal memories of Anzacs, Mr Hughes to-night outlining the position in the House of Reps stated that while there was grave dangers, the situation had not developed to the point whore Australia was called upon to do more than associate itself with Britain in endeavouring to maintain tlui freedom of the Straits and neutral zone at Dardanelles, it would be little short of calamity if the world were plunged into another war The Commonwealth Govca'iiment bad asked for the fullest information from Britain regarding the position and hail inquired what was the Allies’ objective. Australia would take part in no filibustering expedition. It had no desire to interfere witli the chisluug ambitions of Greeks and Turks. 1 lie Government was being asked to stand by Britain, not to take, part in any aggressive war, but in preserving the status quo under the Sevres Treaty. There ;was no need for a single man tu offer. Australia was no nation of swashbucklers, but if its own integrity or the integrity of the Empire was in question it would he prepared In light, not in a contingent, but with the whole of its forces. He hoped Australia would be able to demonstrate its strength without exerting it. . >

Dealing witli the suggestion made l.v Mr Charlton (Leader of the Opposition), that the suggested contingent should he made, the subject ol a referendum, Mr Hughes declared it avas not a question for a referendum, (i'ovornment must, w'i'.l.i Parliament, accept responsibility. He depreciated the rush for enlistment. If the time m-ived for that, ample notification would be given. lliJLh federal and State Babbitt Parties are opposed to Australia being drawn into the war. . MEUBOUHNE. Sept 10.

Tlici House was crowded and .attentively followed Mr Hughes’ statement Which was marked by much gravity and lititle attempt at his usual vernal tireworks. H'c* submi'lUt.l no motion to the House. . M,- Charlton declared the inlormation placed before Parliament was too riit a "re, and ought to he made more explicit to justify so great an enterprise as Government, proposed. Mr Page (Leader of the 1 Country Party) expressed ,it simii'lpr ■Military heads assembled at M.i bourne and are perfecting plans and requirements in readiness lor emergency.

DUNEDIN, September lft

Up to time of closing this eevening approximately 300 had handed in their names. The majority of those wlO enrolled have not seen service. It is not a case of the unemployed rushing to register, as most of the men who have appeared are in work.

NELSON, September 19. Offers for enlistment for active service continue to he received. A total

of over two hundred men have now sent in their names from various units of the district, including Taltnka, and Motueka.

The Nelson Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union has passed a resolution expressing support of the Government - in any action it may take for defence of the Empire. NAPIER, September Ift. Nearly two hundred volunteers have handed i" their names to the local Uelence Office for a Dardanelles Contingent, if required. INVERCARGILL, September lft Seventeen officers and 227 men of other ranks have entered their names lit the Defence Office for service with the ‘Expeditionary Force if required Fifty per cent are returned soldiers. To-dn.v’s enrolments included Hon. .Iclin Topi L’atuki MX.O. . ‘ iPALMERSTON N.. Sept. lft. Tiie central military command enlistments, embracing New Plymouth, Napier, Palmerston North and Wellington areas! total to midday 1 SI office)s and ft nurses, also 2578 other ranks. I lie great majority are ex-soldiers. FRIED I NO, September lft. Many offers are being received to enlist for service if required, returned and young men being eager for enlistment. BLENHEIM, September lft. Up to 10 o’clock to-day, seven officers and 127 other ranks have volunteered for service in the Near East, in addition to the 15 officers who have already volunteered for active service wherever required. SYDNEY ENLISTMENTS. SYDNEY, September lft. Some two thousand men, mostly exsoldiers visited the barracks yesterday, offering to enlist and a stoad.v stream continued throughout to-day. Similar reports come from other centres, but nothing in the way of enlistinont can he done until the Federal UftYprnmpnt issues ojflcjsl instructions,

> AUSTRALIAN PREPARATIONS. / ' SYDNEY, September 18. The military equipment and transport services, medical service, Red Cross comforts fund and AV. and D. are putting their houses in order in readiness for any developments. TURKISH DESIRE. (Received this day at 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, September 19. Rechad Pasha the Turkish representative in London, interviewed declared the Turks were willing to ensure the freedom of the Straits. All they wanted was a prompt, peaceful settlement by conference. DANGER OF WAR UNLIKELY. UNITED SERVICE TEf.EOIIA.VS. (Received this day at 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, September 19. The “Daily Mail” publishes a statement described as officially inspired, after the cor,elusion of Che Conference of Ministeis, declaring the situation though grave was markedly improved. An agreement Ir twecn the Allies has cleared the air. The Allies are prepared to effectively meet the situation. The readiness of the Allied armed forces in and around Constantinople has already affected Kemal. It can be confidently stated that war is' now most unlikely. KEM A LIST ANSWER. (Received this day at 11.80 a.in.) LONDON. September 19.

Another version of Keinalist answer to Fraii'e published in the Manchester “Guardian” states the Kemalists undertake not t:i enter those zones where the Allied troops, whether llritish French or Italians, have been in occupation since the armistice, but a distinction is made between the Allies and Greeks. 'I be Kemalists having defeated the Greeks by force cf arms, claim the right to occupy any territories hitherto held by Greeks and not by the Allies'. The Kemalists further undertake not to attack Constantinople or send troops into Thrace. A SENSATION CAUSED. (Received this day at 11.30 a.m.) LONDON. Sept. 19. A sensation was caused by a section cf the London press references to reported instruct ions by the French Government to withdraw all troops from Chanak and elsewhere on the Asiatic side of tjhc Straits with a view to avoiding any danger ol an armed dash with the Turks. The Foreign Office has not received confirmation of the report and explains the measure may have been undertaken ns a purely iocal disposition of the forces, without reference to the French Government,, not affecting the large question of French policy generally. LORD CURZON GOES TO PARIS. (Received this day at 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sept 19.

Lord Curzon left for Paris during the morning, and will he engaged in conversations uith M. Poincare lor the next few days. The question* of the disposition of troops will be ar.iong the matters discussed. The reported reply of Kcual to the Allied note undertaking ha wdl not attempt to cuter Colislantimrih* (i cros s the Straits is also officially unconfirmed. Nevertheless, the gmciul situation is easier and gr.ro developments are not expected immediately. FRENCH I’ll ESS COMMENT. LONDON, Sep:. M The French ,’ress unauimo i uin-

gratulatcs the Government on il*. reported decision regarding the withdrawal of troops. '"he “Fch:> de Baris” says nil possibility of uiiwcl- . come incidents arising ui the immediate future have thus been avoided. ■ The “Retit Parisien” -ays: No act- , ion is contemplated at present. Ihe ; opportunity for action does not seem apparent. I

eritish cabinet. ; , deceived this day at 1.5 p.m). ! LONDON, September lft. j Cabinet resumed this morning Admiral Eeatty, General Trent-hard and Lord Cavan again attending. It is reported that the French withdrawal of , troops came as a surprise owing to. the absence of official confirmation. Meanwhile the report that Kemal had given an undertaking to respect neutral i nones has given satisfaction. Downing Street understood that the Government would he. satisfied with this assurance provided it was accompanied bv rdequatc guarantees. Thero will he no lighting if Kemal has power j to prevent the troops violating the ! neutral zones in Asia Minor.

Cabinet has de: ided that Admiral Beatty should proceed to Paris with Lord Cumin to interview M. Poincaiie, and possibly the French naval experts regarding the British measures for a definite decision to he reached regarding the action which would he taken in the event of an attempt to violate the neutral zone.

l.i,rd Curzon left with full instruc- I (ions and Admiral Beatty' follows. Ministers agree that any movement of Kemalists troops from the Asiatic side could he effectively stopped by naval action alone it necessary. As far ns is known the French have only a few detachments at Ulianak. 1 No further Cabinet meetings have been arranged, and probably none will be 'held till alter Lord Cumin's return. Hun. Lloyd George has gone into 11 country. An official statement has been issued from Downing Street after the Cabinet meetings. It is stated by some newspapoi s, semi-officially that a declaration of policy issued on Saturday is now regarded as mistake by Government. This is untrue. The declaration of policy represented the decisions of Cabinet on the previous day, and was issued with the approval of all Mutters present in London in order that the public throughout the Empire should not he left in doubt regarding the aims and intentions of the British Government on the critical question of Imperial policy, wherein the support of the Dominions were invited. Cabinet is well satisfied with the support accorded, not only in this country, hut in the Dominions. The Empire will not consent to sacrifice the .results of the gallant struggle and decisive victories of its sons in the Eastern theatre. It is reported the Italians have decided to send back to Constantinople a small contingent sent with British troops to the neutral zone. Should France and Ttaly decide not to take part in defending the neutral acme,. Pfli'llflinoiu will imnif'difitely all mm Op wl;

FRENCII OPINION. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m,) PARIS, Sept. IS). All the newspapers repeat tiin France is absolutely opposed to tb settling of the issues by force of arm. 1 The “Echo de Paris” states that tin bellicose manifesto lias not met will •success. The British Government, accordingly, is disposed to modify or a any ra-e explain, the policy that is tin object of Lord Curznu’s visit. Althoug! Lord Curzon has hitherto not recog nised the policy of moderation in tin Near East, it is not beyond hope tlia he will take it into account in the pro sent situation. The “Echo dc Paris’ says it is an urgent necessity to conclude as soon as possible a lasting peace. If Great Britain realises iiei own interest she cannot fail to share this opinion, for the news from Mesopotamia must have made her foci the real danger to British influence in tlu Near East through the continued hostilities with Turkey. 'I he “I’c'il Parisien” says France wishes to settic the matter diplomatically, without manifestations of force. It considers it necessary at all costs to avoid new causes for a conflict. The “la* Matin doubts the Pacific intentions of Lhc British Cabinet, and suggests that Lord Curzon’s object may he to obtain the maintenance of French troops at Chanak. The early calling of a conference is absolutely necessary to emphasise that all the Powers are agreed on maintaining the neutrality ol the Straits, Kemal Pasha having promised not to violate the neutral zone. The point on which British opinion scp.ujites from French is the threatening violence of the Turks before entering into conversations and deciding to resist on the Asiatic side. The Turkish Army is excited hv the successes in the field. The onlv thing which can emerge from that attitude is war, which, il news from Russia is able to he believed. will not lie confined to the cone ol the Straits. GRAVES OF GALLIPOLI. LONDON, Sept 19. Mr Harrington, at Constantinople, writing to tile High Commissioner, refers to the result of his visit tn (.allinoD, expressing his ViifXh appreciation of the work done by the Imperial Wn.r Craves Ctnmission under the di-

rection of Colonel Hughes. Me was much impressed with the really good and economical organisation.

french pacifist policy. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) PARIS. Sept. 19. Cabinet has approved of M. Poincare's instructions sent to-day to the French representatives in all Lie Allied capitals confirming the* Pacifist policy in the Near East. GREEK ARMY. ATHENS. Sept. 19. 'The Ministerial Council has decided to call up the, 1908 and 1909 classes in order to form a civil guard. Tim last Greek soldiers lia-vci left Asia Minor. The general staff is reorganising the Greek Army. SOUTH ARFICAX ATTITUDE. CAPETOWN. Sept 19. The Nationalist press strongly proVstw against any participation m military operations in the Near East. A large number are offering themselves for enrolment, though it is officially announced that recruiting is not yet authorised. LABOR ATTITUDE. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, September 19. Labour is throwing its weight in favour of settling the Near East trouble. |,y negotiation. Several leaders interviewed dwelt Oil the danger, once war began of its widespread effect < n the Moslem population. Allen (treasurer

of the Independent Labour party) declared labour world would do all it could to make the conducting of war impossible and prevent munitions being sent.

DEFENCE PREPARATIONS.

WELLINGTON, September 20.

The Defence Department will accept offers from mnriiod officers and X.C.0.. but all others must he single. Tiontliani will not ho utilised as a base camp. Accenting to statements in the local papers there will he time centres of mobilisation, Auckland, Ualmorston North, and Chiistchurch. There are plenty of clothes and equipment available and everything is said to he smoothly under weigh. \VA r.M AT F., September 20.

Xin<> men have enrolled for war ser-e-ice one of these being a n. 0.0. through the South African and European campaigns. The others arc territorials.

VOLUNTEERS AT l-IAM’ERA. HAW ERA, Sent. 20

Two hundred and thirty names for volunteers service had been received in volunteers service have been received in II awera. Tin* Defence Office lip to 10.,‘t0 o’clock to-day slate that ahold JiO per cent of the total are returned soldiers.