CABLE NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 September 1922, Page 2

CABLE NEWS.

THE NEAR EAST.

AUSTRALIAN AND N. 3. .CABLE ASSOCIATION. GREAT BRITAIN PREPARING. LONDON, Sept. 22. British preparations regarding the Near East continue with considerable activity.

. The War Office has chartered the Empress of India to transport the 2nd Grenadiers. A battalion of the Royal Fusiliers will follow it to the Near East almost immediately. Other movements of British forces to the Dardanelles Straits are reported from Malta and Egypt. Such precautions, apparently, are considered necessary, because of the possibilitv that any hopes based on Mustapha Kemal Pasha’s reported moderation may he shattered by one of his subordinate fire brands, or by the Turkish levies, some of which are notoriously undisciplined.

FRENCH ANXIETY. LONDON, Sept, 22. According to the “Evening News" Paris correspondent, the French Cabinet regards the British warlike preparations with disfavour. It is even said that the British policy is driving straight to war, and that, while France is making every effort to restrain Kemal, she is hampered by Lord Curzon’s inability to indicate what concessions Britain would lx* likely to offer.

TURKISH VIEWS. LONDON, September 23. . Whether the Turks violate the neutral zone depends on a Ministerial Council now proceeding at Smyrna, under Kemal’s presidency. Turkish officers have communicated with the British at Chanak, asking for information concerning the precise line of the zone, and the Turks gave assurances that there is no Turkish intention to violate the zone So far ns their troops are concerned. LONDON, September 23.

Mr Ward Price, the “Daily Chronicle’s” correspondent, telegraphs from Constantinople, suggesting that unofficial assurances should he given to Kemal concerning Thrace. Mr Price says: Kemal suspects the present talk is only a time-gaining device to check him, till our military strength is sufficient to repel any attack.

DESIRE FOR CONFERENCE. CONSTANTINOPLE, Sept. 23. The Angora Government has suggested Smyrna as the venue for the proposed conference. LONDON, September 23. The “Morning Post’s” Constantinople correspondent reports: General Appeal, a French representative, has interviewed Kemal Pasha, who demands an immediate conference at Mudania. on the Marmora coast. At this the Turks would lay claim to the possession of Constantinople and demand it shall be recognised without 'demur, after which Kemal would enter Constantinople, but with fewer Turk forces than the Allied ciontingents there, and would establish his administration. He would then hold a further peace conference. Only on these terms will he agree not to march against the' AlUps.

RUSSIAN ATTITUDE. BUCHAREST, September 22.

Four months ago, two Russian aviators Hew over Bessarabia, dropping pamphlets. They crashed. They were then imprisoned. The Soviet did not tliink of them till to-day when it officially demanded their immediate release. Russia alleges that the imprisonment was a lireach of the pact of non-aggression concluded at Genoa, and has stated that Russia would regard this as a reason for an attack. Roumanian political circles are very disturbed regarding this demand, thinking it is a sign that Russia intends with Kemal to attack Europe.

SOVIET BUXING ABALAAIENTS LONDON, September 22

tt is understood that Bolshevik agents are active on the Continent in buying war material, especially .in Italy, where, it is reported that a large order for armoured ears, lorries and machine guns lias been placed, and that the order will probably be intended for the Bolsheviks to act in co-operation with tue Kemalists.

A WARLIKE ATTITUDE. CONSTANTINOPLE, Sept. 22 It is reported that- the Kemalist forces have seized Toapezine, on the eastern side of the Dardanelles, and that they arc. threatening Kum Kale, an important key to the position of the Dardanelles.

ft is also reported that the Kemalists are bringing up big Skoda batteries. Reports show also that British aeroplanes are now flying over the Turkish National lines.

DESIRE TO AVOID AVAR. LONDON, Sept. .22 It is authoritatively stated that the British attitude in the Near East is that Britain is seeking nothing for herself; and is pursuing no shortsighted policy based on her amour propro. Her supreme interest, no modification of which eau be entertained, is the neutralisation of the Straits, with a full guarantee of free navigation for all countries, either under the League cf Nations, or some other effective international organisation. All other matters, it is stated, aro secondary, and would lie subject te peaceful accommodation between Turkey and the States more directly concerned.

While the British Government is now completing naval, military, and air .measures, so as to safeguard the neutrality of the Straits and the covering positions, it in no way desires to precipitate hostilities. AVar, it is declared will never come from the British side, hut will only be possible if the Kemalist forces attack the positions' that were occupied by the Allies at the Armistice, and that were held consistently ns neutral territory throughout the Graeco-Turkish hostilities.

The situation, therefore, is in Kemal’s hands, hut there is at present, no reason for supposing that Kemal will choose to apply force of arms to rmestions which are adjustable by a conference.

There is no secret about the strength of the Turkish forces and no weight is attached to any exaggerated or alarmist estimates of what she eon put into the field.

BRITAIN'S AIMS STATED. PRESSMEN SUMMONED. LONDON, September. 23. Mr Lloyd George to-day summoned newspaper men to No 10 Downing St. He made a statement to them. He s a id lie thought it desirable, in view of any mitapprehension of tlie character of the difficulties in the Near East, to state the actual facts of the position. Any action the British Government had taken wes not concerned • with the merits, or demerits of the GreecoTurkish dispute, which was a matter for determination by a conference between the Allies and the belligerents. THE TWO MAIN POINTS. The present British action, he sinu, was dictated by two supreme consid- . erations. First was our anxiety regarding the freedom of the seas between the Mediterranean *nd the Black Sea. The closing of tlio Straits in the late war by a. Power which owed more to Britain and France than any other two Powers did, was an act of perfidy, which was directly responsible for the collapse of Roumania, our most powerful ally in that quarter of the globe, and it liad had the effect of prolonging the war at least two years. It was an essential condition of the world’s peace that there should be an effective guarantee of freedom of these seas in the future. If peace were signed without the achieve- . liient of that object, it would be equivalent to a defeat. LOCALISING WAR. Britain, he said, was taking no separate action, but was simply carrying out what was agreed upon by the Alj lies in 1918. Her chief object then, i and now, was to prevent an except tionally horrible war spreading into Europe. If an army which could not be restrained by its chiefs from perpetuating the outrages committed at I Smyrna, were permitted to cross into Europe, and occupy Constantinople | where there were the hundreds of thousands of Armenians and Greeks I and the many thousands of European | nationalists, there was every reason to . fear there would be a repetition of I these terrible incidents. If the war spread to Thrace, where national riv- | alries between Turks and Greeks existed, and where there were Serbs and Bulgarians there might he a conflagra- ' tion which would spread with a fire not easily extinguishable.

AWFUL POSSIBILITIES! It must not bo forgotten that the great war began in the Balkans.-' The war in Asia. Minor must not spread to Europe. Britain liad therefore strengthened her position at the Dardanelles and the Bosphorous, in order to maintain the freedom of the Straits and to prevent the spread of the fire which had devastated Asia Minor. They did not want that fire to cross the narrow seas, and light the dry tinders in the Balkans. He emphasised tlie British impartiality. consistency claimed. The Premier pointed out that General Harrington liad sent' Kemal the same proclamation ns he gave to the Greeks some time ago when the latter brought up a division in order* to cross the Chatalja lines, held by tlie French. Although the Greek move would have been ° a formidable counterstroke -to the Turk menace at Smyrna, the Greeks would have had to cross a. neutral zone. The British Commander-In-Chief of the Allied forces, tlierefoie, liad warned tlie Greeks in identically the same terms as lie liad now warned Eternal. The British troops had then moved up to the. Chatalja lines to support the French. It was suggested that Britain was provoking a conflict by continuing Fo oc-

rupv Chanak. holding CHANAK. ■ H The military experts were of the opinion that their continued occupation of Chanak was essential to maintain the freedom of the Straits. “AVe do not,” he said, “wish to hold Gallipoli . or Chanak in the interests of the British Empire. AA r e do not claim that Britain alone should have the responsibility of controlling this area. AATe lielieve that these important shores should be held under the League of Nations, in the interests of all the nations alike.”

The freedom of the Straits was a matter of life and death to Roumania, and equally so to Russia. The Turks in Asia Atinor were responsible in 1914 and in the early months of 1915, for a million and a. half deaths .of Christians. There was no provocation and no rising against Turkish rule. It was a * wanton, cold-blooded massacre. The Allies felt themselves obliged, in 1918 to ensure that there should be no recurrence of these murders. For that reason, the mandates were introduced. The Greeks who had the mandate for south-eastern Anatolia, had exchanged AI, A 7 eninslo«s for King Constantine. The sequel was the severest criticism of the choice. CONFERENCE PLANS. Britain would do her best to obtain an immediate peace conference of all the Powers to avert a war, which was to he regarded as a calamity. Before the Army which had left Smyrna a heap of ruins was permitted to cross to Europe, peace must be established.

AVHAT AA 7 E FOUGHT FOR, An appeal was addressed to Australia and New Zealand, because they find a special interest in the defence of Gallipoli. They had sacrificed thousands of their most heroic sons in order to achieve the freedom of . the Straits. The Government felt that wlien that freedom was challenged, Australia and New Zealand had , a right to associate themselves with any act taken to maintain what it had cost them so much to achieve. AVHAT IS SOUGHT. ‘Whatever happens at the peace conference,” he said, “we shall not abandon our policy of securing freedom of the Straits. Ido not mean securing it by a treaty depending on the caprice of any Government there may he at Constantinople. We had the promise of tho freedom of the Straits before 1914 hut German intrigues overcame not merely the pi’omises but also the real Turkish interests. The future security, therefore, must be reliable and effective.

FRENCH PRESSURE. PARIS, Stept. 23. France is bringing pressure to bear on Kemal Paslia not to attempt any open hostilities against France's ally. Kemal has been informed that the with drawn! of the French contingent from Chanak must not be interpreted as a pretext for forcing the-pace. France Kemal tp t>f?» tienec. ’’ ’ '■ 1 j '• '' :

WAITING ON CURZON. LONDON, Sept. 22. Lloyd George tins gone into the conn try. He will not return before Mon day', unless new developments arise Probably no Cabinet meeting will take place until Curzon returns from Paris It is understood Beatty reports liif Paris interviews were quite satisfactory. CRUX OF THE TROUBLE. LONDON, Sept. 22. ‘‘The Times” Paris correspondent says: Lord Cuivwm has confessed that the chief difficulty concerned is Eastern Thrace and Adrianople. However, his intimation that it is the intention of the British Government to solicit the aid of the League of Nations, if a deadlock is otherwise reached, is reas exceedingly important. There is approval of this proposal in French circles. It would seem that the league is now destined to play a more active part in European diplomacy. It is even suggested that Thrace • may be made autonomous, under the control of the League, if no untoward incidents should take the whole matter •from the hands of the diplomatists thus provoking an armed combat. The consequences of an armed conflict cannot be forseen. France would ' then he placed in a most embarrassing position since she is resolved not to join in any action against the Turks, but she is naturally eoncern n d with the possibility of her British ally being involved in a dangerous struggle. LEAGUE OF NATIONS LIKELY TO BE IGNORED. LONDON, Sept. 22. The Australian Press Association’s Geneva correspondent states: The opinion here is that the League of Nations intervention in the Near East is improbable. A direct conference l>ctween the Allies and the Kemalists is increasingly favoured. The French and Italian delegations oppose intervention. The British Empire delegation is now believed to be awaiting a lead from the English members, who. in turn are awaiting information from Mr Llovd George. The Political Committee of the League, to which the League Assembly has remitted Norwegian and Persian appeals for the League’s intervention in the Near East, under Article NT, of the League Covenant, will meet tonight (Friday). when it is anticipated that the British attitude will be disclosed.

ITALIAN PRESS CONJECTURES. ROME, Sept. 22. The press of Italy is satisfied with the Paris decision to convene a conference without delay to settle the Eastern question. The papers are not unanimously confident of success. The “Messagero” fears the Turco-Rnssian agreement will cause a surprise at any moment, and doubts the peaceful intentions ol th r Moscow administration, whom il charges with the responsibility for the 1 oldness of the Turkish demands. Tb" “Messagero” expects the British will soon be compelled’ to withdraw their troops to the Eastern side of the Dardanelles, from which it would be easier to defend the Straits if attacked. Thousands of Italian refugees Irom Smyrna are camping at Taranto and Brindisi: hut as the situation in Smyrna is now normal, it is probable arrangements will soon be made to return those still having homes and businesses there. M. Stamholiski, the Bulgarian Premier. suggests that Eastern and ’Western Thrace should bo on autonomous State under the League of Nations, thus guaranteeing Bulgaria access to the Aegean, and permitting a special arrangement For Adrianople, and s-> avoiding a common frontier between Turkey and Bulgaria, and ensuring lbi neutrality of the Dardanelles. » KEMAL’S INTENTIONS. Despite some uncompromising talk by some of Kemal’s adherents, the British official circles state that they decline to believe that these represent Kemal’s real intentions. Much is hoped from France’s good offices to restrain Kemnl, at least until the present Paris Conference of foreign ministers is concluded. The London “Star’s” diplomatic writer says: Lord Curzon was instructed to inform M. Poineaire and Signor Sforzsi that Britain was anxious to hold a conference at Smyrna or Angora, if the Kemalists do not wish to come to Venice; hut to point out that it is an indispensable British enn- . dition that the Straits and the neutral zones shall not he disturbed. The "Star” asserts that Turkey can expect a drastic revision of the Sevres Treaty in her favour, hut says it is "time that Turkey officially coniiniinient?d her intentions to Paris. POINCARE TALKS.

PARIS, Sept 23. M. Poincare, French Premier, has informed French newspaper men that, though accord has not yet been reached in the Anglo-French conversations, lie hoped to lie able to announce tomorrow than a formula lias been found acceptable to all. If the Allies, he said, did not agree on a common ])oliey he would address a separate .note to the Turks. He could give an assurance that such notes would not bo of a threatening character, hut would he couched in the friendliest terms. Franco would accompany her note with the most pacific assurancm regarding the future. The collective note, if agreed upon, would suggest to the belligerents an immediate conference to bring about pence. The Turks were being invited to a preliminary conference, with a. view of effecting an armistice. AT CONST ANTI NO Pl* E.

CONSTANTINOPLE, Sept 23. The nows of awful horrors in Smyrna, which surpass the worst Armenian massacres under the former Sultan Abdul Hamid, has caused a panic among the entire native Christian population in Constantinople, where it. is feared the departure of the Allied troops will signalise a general exodus.' Far reaching precautions are being taken to preserve order. The local ferry boats arc ordered to berth before dark.

IN BULGARIA. LONDON. Sept 22. Major Xeatc, of the Allied Commission in Bulgaria, in company with French officers, discovered a cellar in fifty thousand shells are believed to bo concealed. Four gendarmes arrested and detained him several hours at a hotel, where he heard many lorries passing, presumably removing ’the .shells. Apologies have been made. ALLIED DEMAND ON BULGARIANS.

BELGRADE, September 22. The French President of the InterAllied Liquidation Commission has sent n note to the Bulgarian Government, demanding the dispersal of the South Bulgarian Friendly Societies. Tt alleges., they are merely revolutionary organisations against Macedonia. 'flie note has enraged the Bulgarians who are now supporting a Macedonian campaign. They express their dissatisfaction with France’s attitude.

I CANADA’S POSITION. I (Received this day at S a.in.) OTTAWA, September 23. l ' Premier Meighen in a speech at Te- " ronto assailed the Government’s delay in replying to Great Britain for a states ment of policy regarding the Near - East, and contrasting with it the prompt response of New Zealand and | Australia. Mr Meighen declared a policy of delay might drag Canada into the l war. Ho pointed out that Canada was ■ a party to the Sevres Treaty, and ns- . j sorted that what Engalnd wanted was a , . Dominion declaration of Empire solidI arity to meet the crisis. He would ' I hack Hon. King (Dominion Premier) 1 j and Government in rushing a message of local co-operation, as Australia and New Zealand had done. FRENCH GARRISON. CONSTANTINOPLE. Sept. 23. French whippet tanks have been brought to central vantage point near Seraglis point. The French garrison in :Stnmboul has been strengthened by a battalion from Ciiatalja. TERMS ASKED FOR. (Received this day at S a.i11.) PARTS. September 23. Tlte F 1 ireign Office confirms M. Bonbons’ departure from Smyrna and will semi-offieinlly ask Kemnl to avoid incidents in the neutral zones also to state the possible conditions of peace. KEMAL’S DESIRE. (Received this dnv at 8 a.i11.) .CONSTANTINOPLE, Sept. 23. Kemal’s demand that he be allowed to establish administration hero prior to the Peace Conference is regarded as most dangerous even if lie come with a smaller force than the Allies as there are large forces of Turkish armed irregulars in the city ready to act with him; NEAR EASTERN CRISTS. (Received this dnv at 8 a.m.) LONDON. Sept 23. : The Executive o the National Free i Church Council adopted a resolution deploring the Near Eastern situation, and expressing the opinion that a permanent and sit! isf.-vt ;r.v settlement will only he attained hv invoking the services of the I engiie of Nations. MUST A i’ll A KE.UAL AND FRENCH AO.MLRAL. uniti:n siircvicc m.rciuvs (Received this dav ::t 8.30 a.m., LONDON. Sept 23. The "Daily .Mail’s” Paris correspondent says there was mi important inten iew between tin* French Admiral (Demesneil) and Mii.stapba lCemnl, on whom the Admiral was instructed to impress the necessity of restraining lib; victorious army Irom attacking tlie British. De Alesnci! reports In* found Keinal most determined that Turkish rights must be obseived, though lie was conciliatory and showed re markable ,judgment and sobriety, of, 1 expression. He frankly admitted he 1 wiu ready ta accept- the freedom of j the Straits provide**l a proper formula could In found. “I have looked for j a formula but have not found a satis- ! factory one,” added Kemnl. “Still , there must be a way out of the difficulty.” j The Gummier. Tvria and the Eller- ! - innn liner, Maroman. lying at tin Dardanelles have been requisitioned by the British Government. ; TIMES’ OPINION. ••THE TIMES” SERVICE. (Received this dav at 8.30 a.m.) j LONDON, Sept 23. Commenting on the secrecy’ which I still surrounds Thursday’s parley between the Labourites and the Govern- ! , incut. which was so voluble a week ago, the “Times” says the brevity of the* statements from Labour head- 1 quarters lends colour to the suspicion i that members of the deputation were : persuaded against their better judg- | men to agree not to reveal what was said. It understood Hon Lloyd George left no doubt in the minds ol members that he favoured il peaceful J settlement, and considered the Government’s policy was the best liutlind ; of securing it. The article proceeds: 1 “How far Hon Lloyd George had his , eye on this country it is impossible to , say. Any thought of another khaki election is probably out ol the question. but it is not so certain whether, in tlit• event of a peaceful settlement. Hun Llovd George may not decide to , risk an early appeal to the country. | Having thoroughly alarmed electors by the prospect of another war it is t conceivable, if none occurs, lie wiR ask . for a renewed confidence from the country a* the man who once move , saved the Empire.” j * SOUTH AFRICAN REPLY. j CAPETOWN, Kept 23. j At a meeting of Cabinet, Hon Lloyd i George’s appeal was discussed. No ; dul'mite decision was arrived at. It is believed the. reply will he drafted during the week-end. and published on A’allday. This is expected to be m the spirt intended liv the British Pro- , liiier. ; A BIG FORCE. (Received this dav at 8.30 a.m.. j LONDON. Kept 24. J \ message from Constantinople says four hundred thousand troops with nrti’lery are concentrated between Tsimtl and the Mudnnia. j GREEK PLOT. j. ATHENS, September 23. j A Veuizelist plot has been discover- • ed. Many arrests arc made. Givas 1 who was Under Secretary of State m ; the Veuizelist Cabinet is among those . arrested, charged with plotting against j . the present, regime. <

A TURKISH THREAT. (Received this day at h.;i() a.m.) PARIS, September 21. The Bureau of Eastern information publishes an official communique from Adana stating unless the Allies reach an understanding for an immediate definite recognition of Turkish claims embodied in the national pact, and find an early solution of the Near East question, immediate action by Nationalist will be rendered inevitable with a view to the deliverance of Thrace. ERENCH STATEMENT. CONSTANTINOPLE, oSpt. 21. The French commander informed the British authorities he was assured of the maintenance of order over Stamhoul in the event of trouble. The French Government wirelessed Mustapha requesting him to take no action until the arrival of its special emissary.

1 INVITATION TO CONFERENCE. (Received this day at 8.30 a.m.) PARIS, September 23. The Allied Conference on the Near East issued a note on behalf of Britain, France and Italy requesting the Nationalist Assembly cf Turkey to inform them if it is ready to send representatives with full powers to a Conference at Venice, at which Britain, France, Italy, Japan, Turkey, Ronniania, .Jiigo-Slavia and Greece will be represented. Tile object of conference will be to negotiate n filial peace between Tin key, Greece and the AllieTl Powers. The note proceeds—‘‘TUe three powers take the opportunity of declaring they view with favour Turkey’s desire to recover Thrace as far as the river Mnritza and Adrianople, on condition that the Angora Government does not send its army during, or before the peace negotiations, into the proealimed neutral zones. The three Government will lie willing to support at the Conference the attribution of ti.ese frontiers to Turkey, it being understood however that steps will ho taken to come to an agreement to rttfeguard the interests of Turkey a»d her neighbours to demilitarize certain zones to be fixed with a view to making peace to obtain the peacetul re-estab-lishment of Turkish authority and filially to insure freedom of the Dardanelles, Marmora, and Bosphorous, as well as retrospection of racial and religious minorities. The three Governments are willing to support Turkey’s admission to League of Nations. ’1 hey agree in reaffirming the assurances given in March to withdraw troops from Constantinople as soon r.s the peace treaty enters into force. They will use their influence t<> procure before the conference, the retirement of Greek T'rces to R line to be fixed by Allied Generals in agreement with Greek and Turkish military authorities. The Angora Government will undertake in return not to send troops into the neutral zones and not to cross the Straits or Ken of Marmora. A meeting might immediately take place between Kemnl and Allied Generals to fix the above mentioned line. The three Governments are convinced their appeal will he listened to and they will he able to collaborate with Turkey and the Allies to re-establish peace for which the whole civilised world is longing.”

TURKISH CONCENTRATION. (Received this dav at 8.30 a.m. LONDON. Sept 24

The "Daily Telegraph’s” Constniitincplo correspondent says a serious concentration is occurring at Isinid, whither Kemnl 'is proceeding. There is ground for believing the Kennnlists will make Constantinople their objective rather than Chanak. because of the larger supplies available in L-niid region, while tin hostile population in Constantinople would cause trouble to of the British.