CABLE NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1922, Page 2

CABLE NEWS

THE NEAR EAST.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON REPORTS. LONDON, September 28. Political circles in London consider there is little doubt that Kemal s invasion indicates he is trying to provoke a clasli at Chanak. They state instructions have been sent t* Geneial Harrington to exercise the greatest patience, and to do everything possibleto avoid incidents

BRITISH REPLY TO KEMAL. LONDON. September 28. The “Morning Post’s” Constantinople correspondent says: The Allied Commander’s reply to Kemal’s Note points out that the Note is the first intimation of any Turkish misunderstanding concerning the neutral zones, which the Kcmnlist Army commander had helped to mark out. 'He adds: “I am willing to meet you. if any misunderstanding exists. The British reinforcements are solely in the interests of peace.”

TICKLISH SITUATION, | LONDON, September 28. i The “Daily Express” correspondent says: Meanwhile, n Turkish invasion of the neutral zone is extending. British detachments leave as Turkish ones ar- ' rive, in order to avoid conflicts. The Turks are taking every precaution to observe the peace. LONDON, September 28. The “Alorning Post’s” Constantinople correspondent states: A doubtful j position .still prevails in the Chanak , zone. The Kemalists’ cavalry continue to filter in all round our posts, in bands of a hundred to two hundred, under the I White Flag, or with rifles reversed, whenever they are near our . troops. J Their total number now amounts ,to I about three thousand altogether, j There is no sign of any aggression, I hut our situation is most difficult from a military point of view, as the Turks movements are naturally an excellent means of reconnoitring. Meanwhile British detachments are moving freely between the Kemalist units.

A detachment of two thousand Kemalists, which on Monday assumed posts at Erenkeuy, eight miles from Chanak, have left, but ale still inside the zone. Other Turks advanced due east of Chanak, and assumed positions oil Sirtepe Hill. Others again occupied Lap-' saki, while yet others came in between Bigha and Carabigha, cutting off Chanak from Biglm. There is, however, no indication of any guns or strong concentrations outside the zone.

EXPECTED REPLY. LONDON, Sept. 28 The "Daily Express” Constantiniple correspondent reports—“Kemal’s reply to the Allies will ho delayed for a few days, until it is discussed by the Angora nssemply, to which a draft of it has been forwarder!.” “I am able to indicate the lines of the reply, viz:—-(1) Tlie Turks will lay down their arms before the opening of the conference, but they now occupy strategic points in order to he in a position to enforce the national pact in respect to Thrace.

(2) The movement of the British troops must be suspended and a pledge given not to construct any fortifications in the neutral zones. (3) Thrace must he occupied the full conference meets.

(4) There must he no demilitarisation of the coast of ths Sea of Marmora or Thrace except in the Dardanelles, the neutrality of which is accepted by Turkey. (5) The Straits question shall be discussed between the Allies; Turks, Russia. and the countries bordering on the Black Sea.

(0) The right is reserved of the further discussion of certain points in the Allied terms. . -

If the Turk National Assembly approves of these points, the Nationalists will agree to an armistice conference at Mudania, to lie followed three days later by a full conference in Smyrna, at which Kemal will he the chief Turkish delegate.”

TURK ASSEMBLY. PARIS, Sept 28

The Turkish National Assembly at Angora is now considering the Allied Note, but the reply is not yet known. Authoritative quarters state the Allied note to Turkey has produced on unfavourable impression at Angora, on the ground that it is insufficiently clear, and is not definite regarding Thrace and the future of the Straits.

SULTAN’S ABDICATION. DELHI, Sept 28. It is reported here that the Sultan of Turkey has abdicated in favour of the Heir Apparent.

DONOGHUE’S VERSION. LONDON, Sept 28. Mr Martin Donogliue telegrams v (from Constantinople': Haggling is part of the Turkish character. Concede everything that the Turk asks, and he immediately propounds further demands. The Allied Conference: having behaved much more generously than any Kemalist expected, a number of the Nationalists are now upbraiding Kemal Rasim for erring on the wrong side of moderation. Meantime the Kemalists persist in sitting down on the side of the neutral frontier. Their cavalry are holding three points. They are not a large force, but big enough to precipitate war with soldiers loss copl-headed than the British. Bloodshed Would (have ensued days ago, but happily reinforcements have reached Chanak, thus exorcising a moral effect on. the bellicaso Kemalists.

“I want to Yildiz Kiosk,” says Mr Donogliue ,“where T saw weeds peeping between the paving stones, in the Palace yard. I found the Sultan a prey to the blackest melancholyand lending the life of a reclusexijfc -attempts made to rouse him his lethargy fail. His only visitor is the doctor, and he finds comfort in readling the Koran. With the fatalism of his race .the Sultan awaits the end, whether it. he to pass to paradise m to shape of a bowstring, or a passport to exil<L” GERMAN OFFICERS FOR TURK ■ ARMY. LONDON, Sept 28. A message from Berlin states that several hundred officers of tlicr German Army were sent to Turkov during the las* week, by ia Turco-German organisation, whose existence was only recently eoieied. bt?ttish CABIN eT. LONDON, Sept 28. There is a succession of British Cabinet meetings. It is unprecedented since war-time. This shows the aejli pßoy of fhp N?(H ! B!) s t' sltuirtion,