THE NEAR EAST.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1922, Page 3

THE NEAR EAST.

fcABTEALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

A GLOOMIER OUTLOOK. (Received this day at 11.30 n.nt.) LONDON September 28. A gloomier view is taken in official quarters of the Near Eastern situation owing to the communication from Kemal to General Harrington yesterday, wherein lie refused to recognise the existence of a neutral zone, and even complained that Greek aeroplanes were flying over the alleged neutral zone, and that British artillery had been used against Turks. It is regarded however as characteristic that the Turks should commence negotiations by false allegations and bluff of this matter. The delay .in receipt of Tvemal’s reply to the Allies is due, us expected to his Consul consulting the Angora Government, and may extend several days. Meantime the situation in the neutral zone is rather critical. It is reported the Turks are concentrating outside Ismid.

THE GREEK REVOLUTION. (Received this day at 11.30 a.m.) ATHENS, September 28. Latest reports state everything is quiet. A committee of three revolutionary general took charge of the city after a war vessel, full of revolutionary troops, had arrived at Laurium. Friendly demonstrations were made befrre the British Legation at Salonika The revolution was peacefully carried out in concert with the Mitylcne movement.

King Tino in an abdication message to the people, expressed himself ■ as happy that a fresh occasion had been given him to sacrifice himself lor Greece. It is not considered likely his offer to place himself at the head of the Army will he accepted.

POWDER FACTORY EXPLODES (Received this day at 11.30 a.m.) ROME, September 28.

A violent thunderstorm occurred nenr l’ezzia. Lightning exploded n powder factory and it is feared ninny workers have perished. One hundred have been sent to hospital. A number of buildings over a wide area in the vicinity were also destroyed.

ABDICATION MESSAGEATHENS, Sept. 28,

King Constantine in a. message to the people said while he had acted to the best of his ability in Greece’s interests he felt it necessary to make way far Prince George. He appeals to the people to support the latter. If they desired, Constantine would gladly fight with the Greek army.

BELGRADE. Sept. 28

It is authoritatively stated that Jugo-Slavia will not send an expedition to Turkey, unless Hungary and Bulgaria disarmed their frontier. It is reported on good authority that the Clown Prince has accepted the throne. PARIS. September 28.

The “Victoire” declares in the state of Europe resulting from the Great War and 'Russian Bolshevism, it is quite impossible under pretext of Constantine’s dismissal and Venizelos’ recall to return to the 1019 position between Turkey and Greece. The latter must take the consequences of her mistake in dismissing Venizelos in 1920, and recalling the murderer of Allied sailors.

Interviewed, D’Eativille Venizelos' secretary, said if Constantine leaves Greet*** and the new Cabinet invites Venizelos to return, the latter will take the first train to Athens. It is believed Venizelos is the only man able to keep Thrace for Greece, the retention of which involved Greece’s economic life or death. Venizelos is heart broken at seeing his life work in building up a greater Greece, dissipated.

BRITISH OPINION. Received this dav at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, Sept 28. Th« “Daily Telegraph’s’ ’Constantinople correspondent states there is no information of any considerable concentration of Kemnlist forces opposite tin* neutral zone. The British view is that the Nationalist statements about

eight divisions at Ismid are untrue. * There is a report from a good source that Bolsheviks concentrated live divisions in Caucasus. It is inferred they purpose exerting in accordance with Russian’ wishes. The Allies have ordered the Greek warship Averofn to leave the Bosphorus and similarly have* forbidden Greek transport., with troops at Rodosto to pass the Straits. Equal treatment is thus meted) to Greeks and Turks. Ten British -destroyers arc now anchored at the “ospliorus.

AN A 1.L1F.1) WARN INC;

Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) PATHS, Sept 28. A seini-odicial message states the Greek revolution will not change the Allies policy as regards Turkey. but warns the latter not to prejudice the position bv military measurers on the European shore of the Straits, thereby possibly committing a tactical error which should strongly all cot the present negotiations. ,

GREEK CROWN PRINCE. ONLDON, Sept 28. 'if the Crown Prince succeeds to the throne of Greece he will probably be known as the hoavy-weight kmg " Europe. He stands Oft om. »n( weighs nineteen stone. Though athletic he is of studious disposition. He served for several years in the Greek Navy and also underwent naval training !in England, hut unlike Constantine he is not pro-German.

KIiMAL’S STRENGTH. Received tliis (lny at >--2o l*•' I '-) LONDON, Sept - 8 ; Mr Ward Price- writes that British iruns from Malta are now mounted on ■Gallipoli Rtminsula. Thdatest estimate of Kenials’ strength is beta ten sixty and one hundred thousand >a> onets, organised in seven army corps, is believed he lias sixty aeroplane...

GENERAL HARRINGTON'S

attitude

UNITED SERVICE TELEGRAMS

Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, September 28. Ward Price says owing to the fact it would take Kernel forty-eight hours to convey orders to Chanak. deeded not a. to give a time limit for evacuation of the neutral zone. General Harrington told me he was determined not to take „ nv aggressive action till it was clear beyond possible doubt that the troops were intended as a screen, behind "hit . guns were being brought up to attack Chanak and threaten the safety ot Straits.

j RUSSIA’S SUPPORT. IIEUTEII’s TELEGRAMS. Received this dav at 12.25 *>.m.) 1 LONDON, Septehmber 28. ) The “Daily Express” Constantinople correspondent attributes the daily an I indefinition of the Angora attitude to the growing belief that Russians do not, intend to seriously support the Kemnlists attempt to expel the Allies. The Russian decision is due to the recognition that the. Franeo-Kemalist agree is inimical to Russian interests. LONDON, September 28. Government is urgently endeavouring to persuade Kemnl to postpone the date to 30th., whereafter the Greeks and Armenians will not he allowed to leave Smyrna, fearing for the fate of the surplus of two hundred thousand who arc unable to escape before the 30th. Biitain lias chartered fifteen ships to take off refugees and is- faced with the problem how to feed and where to despatch them. The American, Admiral Biistol is closely co-operating. GREEK POSITION. Received this dav at 12.25 p.m.) ATHENS, Sept. 28. Insurgent troops after landing at Pirenus occupied Alliens without bloodshed. Royalists made attempts to resist hut the insurgents hacked by Veniz'los elements if the population seized the public buildings and remained masters of the situation. Constantine realising the impossibility of resistance countermanded preparations against the revolutionary movement.