CABLE NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1922, Page 2

CABLE NEWS.

THE NEAR EAST.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.B. CABLE ASSOCIATION. BETTER OUTLOOK. PARIS, Sept 19. The outlook in official quarters is regarded 'as -distinctly .brighter, in view of Britian’s decision to send Lord Cursson and Admiral Beatty to interview M. Poincare. It is confidently expected the Conference will speedily result in restoring Allied unity. LONDON, Sept 19.

An official communiquo says, statements in the newspapers that the semi-official declaration of the foreign policy in the Near East issued on Saturday, is now regarded as a mistake b'y the Government. It is untrue that the decisions of the. Cabinet on Friday were issued with the approval of all Ministers present in London in order that public opinion all over the Empire should be .left in no doubt in regard to the aims and intentions of the British Government on the uestqion of Imperial policy, whereto support of the Dominions was invited by cable. Cabinet is well satisfied with the support accorded not only in Britain but the Dominions.

E - rc slloU id i JC .left in no doubt r€gard to thc a ; ms rmd intentions of . tl British-Government on the uest - of Imperial policy, whereto t o{ the Dominions was invited , ca bl e . Cabinet is well satisfied the support accorded not only in ]Jritain but the Dominions. , GERAIAN REPORTS. BERLIN, September 19. It is sported that Mustnpha Pasha j ias telegraphed to Tchitclierin, who is sont in Berlin declaring he entirely abides by the Treaty under which the Angora Government undertook to negotiate with the Entente in conjunction with the Moscow Government,

FRENCH action. ? PARIS, September 19. General Pelle, French High Commissioner at Constantinople is proceeding to Smyrna to explain the French official attitude to Kemal. French troops nt Constantinople and in the region of the Straits number ten thousand. Two battalions are stationed at Chanak. There is no intention of reinforcing them.

CANADIAN ACTION. OTTAWA, September 19. While the acting Premier of Newfoundland cabled the British Government that the colony was ready to assist against the Turks, the Canadian Cabinet is moving cautiously to sound public opinions, pending the receipt of -additional information asked from the Imperial authorities. Western newspapers are demanding the fullest details of thc situation in the belief that the public does not favour another war, unless proof is forthcoming that the Empire’s stability is menaced. The “Winnipeg Tribune” for instance, "states it is for Canada to decide if the British policy is just and wise. Should Parliament be summoned to discuss the situation it is probable considerable opposition would develop.

BRITAIN’S ATTITUDE. Condon, Sept is. If the reports that Kenial has given an understanding to respect- the neutral zone ar« accurate,-it is understood Britain will be satisfied, if it is accompanied by adequate guarantees. RELIEF OF REFUGEES. LONDON, Sept. 19. . Joint Allied representations have been made to Kemal Pasha, with a view to utilising the Greek ships there, to convey Greek refugees from Smyrna. Kemal has not replied. U S.A. STANDS ALOOF. NEW YORK. Sept. 18. “The Times’s” Washington correspondent states—The Government refuses to become involved in the present political entanglements in the Near East. It is limiting itself strictly to the protection of American interests, and to the alleviating of the sufferings of the non-combatants, wherever possible. It is pointed out that this attitude is known to the Allies. The United States, therefore, does not expect to be urged to participate in the defence of any neutral zone as againstthe Turk.

BRITISH LABOUR. LONDON, Sent. 19.

Labour is throwing its weight In favour of settling the Near East trouble by negotiations. Several leaders interviewed dwelt on the danger, once war began of its widespread effect on the Moslem population. Mr 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. • ,

A REPORT. LONDON, Sept. 19.

ft is reported that Mustaplia Pasha telegraphed to M. Tchitcherin, who is at present in Berlin, declaring that he entirely abides by the treaty under which the Angora Government undertook only to negotiate with the Entente concerning the Near East, in conjunction with the Moscow Government.

ANOTHER TALE OF RUSSIA. LONDON, Sept. 20.

According to a well-informed source, the Bolsheviks have been for a long time transferring considerable quantities of gold and precious stones to help to equip Kemal’s Army, sonje of the treasures being taken from churches. It is stated that war material was also sent. . A considerable number of German officers are reported to have reached Angora through Soviet Russia, and they are reported to le greatly responsible for the efficiency of the Turkish Nationalist forces.

A GERMAN REPORT. BERLIN, Sept. 20. ■Vt last meeting of the Soviet Military Council, If. Trotsky said the present was a favourable opportunity to demonstrate the readiness of the Red Army. , . Several sneakers pointed out it "as an opportunity to force the Entente to recognise the Soviet, which might possiblv obtain for it the required foreign loans.

FRENCH LEAVE NEUTRAL ZONE LONDON, September 19.

Tlie withdrawal of French forces from Chanak, on tlie Straits, is confirmed. The forces consisted of not more than one hundred officers and

TURKS AND CHANAK: LONDON, September 20. The “Daily Express” reports that the Kemalists have entered the neutral zone near Chanak. CONSTANTINOPLE, Sept. 19. The first Turkish cavalry has reached the outskirts of Bigha, on the edge of the neutral zone, rpilefi from Ohanfvk,

OCCUPATION OF CHANAK. PARIS, September 20. Feiid Bey, interviewed by the “New York Herald,” declared that the Kerrialists intend to occupy Chanak (along the Straits), as they do not recognise that any neutral zone exists on the v - Asiatic side of the Straits, though they . do recognise the Allied occupation of Constantinople and of Gallipoli. He said, that, if the British wished to provoke trouble, the blame would be theirs. Turkey did not admit the l ight of any nation to prohibit her from placing troops anywhere oil the ' Asiatic side of the Straits. 1 When Kemalists occupied that side, ■ said Fcrid Bey, they would he willing to sit at a peace table, and wS|pg even to agree to an Allied garrison, being on Gallipoli, and also to the protection of minorities. If blood were shed he said, it would he Britain’s fault. Her demands were illogical. i “If there is a conflagration at the Straits,” he declared, “it will lie very . I dangerous, and it may even be fatal j to the British Empire.” KEMAL SHIFTS CAMP. ATHENS, September 19. Mustapha Kemal Pasha has left Smyrna for Nicomedja, near Ismid S. GREEK SOLDIERS MUTINY. CONSTANTINOPLE, Sept. 19. Mutinous Greek troops in Thrace have seized the trains, in order to repatriate themselves.

EGYPTIAN EXCITEMENT. CAIRO, September 19. Persistent rumours that Britain has definitely resumed hostilities against the Turks, has aroused enthusiastic pro-Turkisli demonstrations.

FRENCH LOGIC. PARIS, September 19. “Le Matin” doubts the pacific intentions of the British Cabinet and suggests that Lord Curzon’s object- may be to obtain the maintenance of French troops at Chanak. The early calling of the conference is absolutely necessary to emphasise that all the Powers are agreed on maintaining the neutrality of the Straits. Kemal having promised not to violate the neutral zone, the point, on which British opinion soparatesTthem from the French, is threatening violence to the Turks before entering into conversations, and deciding to resist on the Asiatic side an army excited by successes in the field. The only thing which can emerge from that attitude is war, which Jf the news from Russia is able to he believed will net he confined to the zone of the Straits.

“L’Eclio de Paris” states that the bellicose manifesto has not met with success. The British Government ,ac- lm cordingly is disposed to modify, or at any rate explain, its policy. That is the object of Lord Curzon’s visit. Although Lord Ourzon has hitherto not recognised the policy of moderation, in the Near East, it is not beyond hope that he will take it into account in the present situation. “I.’Echo de Paris” says: It is on urgent necessity to conclude, as soon, as possible, a lasting peace. If Britain realises her own interest she cannot fail to share this opinion for the news from Mesopotamia must have made her feel a real danger to British influence in the Near East through continued hostilities with Turkey. “Ee Petit Parisien” says: wishes to settle the matter diploJ«»3? cally without manifestation of force, and considers it necessary at all costs to avoid new causes for conflict.

ENGLISH WORKERS OPPOSE AVAR. LONDON, Sept. 19. The Yorkshire textile workers have telegraphed to Air Lloyd George, urging that Britain should use the League of Nations to secure Near East peace, and stating that Labour is opposed to all /war.

BRITISH CABINET ACTION. LONDON, Sept 19. Cabinet resumed this morning, Lord Beatty, General Trenehard, and Lord Cavan again attending. The report. ed French withdrawal of troops came as a. surprise, hut there is no official 1 confirmation meanwhile. The report that Keinal Pasha has given, an undertaking to respect the neutral zones has given satisfaction to Downing St. It is understood that the Government would be satisfied with this assurance, provided it was accompanied by ade- *- quate guarantees. There "'ill be no fighting, if Kemal has power .to prevent his troops violating the neutral •zones in Asia Minor.

Cabinet decided that Lord Beatty should proceed to Paris with Lord Curzon to interview M. Poincare and possibly French naval experts regarding the action which would be taken in tlie event of an attempt to violate the neutral zone. Lord Curzon left with full instructions, fjord Beatty follows. The Ministers agreed that any movement of tlie Kemalist troops from the Asiatic side could -be effectively stopped by naval action alone if necessary. As far as is known the French have only a few detachments at Chanak. No further Cabinet meetings have been aranged and probably none "ill he held till after Lord Curzon’s return. Mr Lloyd George has gone into the country.

CANADA’S ATTITUDE. OTTAWA, Sept 20.

■ The Cabinet Council again met but no decision lins yet been announced* Mr Mackenzie King, however, has intimated that the first commumcation received from Britain had been, more« re-assuring than the press reports, and left much doubt- whether there would be any war at all.

CANADIAN LABOUR. OTTAWA, Sept 20. Mr Tom Moore, President of tho Trades and Labour Council of Canada had a conference with the (Mr Mackenzie King) rcifijwing Labour’s attitude towards the Near East situation. , , He said the time had passed "hen the country should be swept into war. on a singel declaration without lull investigation by a responsible Govern- * meat. MONEY BAROMETER RISES, LONDON, Sept 19, There is an improved Near East ouL look The improvement has had q good effect on the Stock Exclude, The money market tone is bettered] round. VNEW BRITISH ARMAMENT. LONDON, September 20. A super tank, capable of carrying fifty troops at a speed of twenty miles an hour, the troops riding as comfortably as in a taxi, has been constructed for the British War Office,