CABLE NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 October 1922, Page 2

CABLE NEWS.

THE NEAR EAST.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.X. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LABOUR VIEW OF THE DANGER. LONDON, September 30. lit. Hon. Arthur Hemlersou M.P., (formerly a member of the British wartime Cabinet), speaking at tlic opening of a Trades Hall, at Wimbledon, dealt with the Near East. He said: —“Labour is emphatically against the British Government’s mishandling of the Near East situation. The latest British demand for the withdrawal of the Kemalists from the neutral zone on the Asiatic side of the Straits, declared Mr Henderson, was not calculated to lessen the tension.

Dir Henderson declared that lie feared that the War Party that was within the British Cabinet had gained the upper hand. The Government was now pursuing a policy that was quite inconsistent with the spirit of the joint Allied Note that was decided upon at Pari-.

The British Cabinet, ever since the defeat of the Greeks at Smyrna, he said, has maintained a bellicose attitude. It has threatened war when it should have striven for peace. It lias made a capital blunder in constituting itself the custodian and the defender of the Straits. It has made a display of force, instead of seeking a solution through the League of Nations. Many nations, said Mr Henderson, were concerned in the freedom of the Straits. The war question was one which should he settled by the many nations in conference. It should not he settled by one nation by means of

The organised workers, he said, would oppose—to the utmost of thoir power—the war that was now threatening. No war ever had less justification. If necessary, a special conference of the Trade Unions and Labour Movement would lie called to consider how to bring the Government to its senses, and to enforce a policy aiming at peace. War would not settle anything; hut it would only raise questions that are more important to the Empire and to the world than the freedom of the Turkish Straits.

BRITISH DEMANDS ON TURKS

MAY FIGHT WITHOUT DECLARING WAR, LONDON, September 30. The British military authorities are of the opinion that the present state of affairs in the neutral zone cannot be allowed to continue. The British Government, therefore, has informed the authorities that they will have its complete support in demanding the withdrawal of the Kemalist, forces from the ClianaTc neutral zone. The question of accompanying the demand with a time limit is being left to General Harrington, also Brook, and the High Commissioner. British relations with Turkey are governed by the armistice of October 30th.. 1918.

If Turkey breaks this armistice, she gets herself in a state .of war. Therefore there is no question of a declaration of war being made.

\ TURKISH ADVANCE TO STRAITSLONDON, Sent. 30.

It is semi-cfficially stated in London that there are Kemalist troops right up to the British positions in the Clianak area. Tlie Turks arc reported to be so near that they are gazing at t>u.vwirtw entanglements of the British j and in some places they are actually 'on the shore of the Dardanelles.

TURK AND GREEK OUTPOSTS. ENGAGED. ATHENS, Sept. 30. A Greek communique, dated Sept--20 states: —“The enemy entered tho neutral zone and occupied Esafaalan. Thev killed eleven soldiers manning an outpost. We dislodged the enemy by means of a counter attack. The enemy lost 26 killed. Our losses wore: one killed and one wounded. TRUTH ABOUT MENACE. LONDON, September 29.

Regarding the Near East, the British Independent Labour Party has drafted a manifesto. The manifesto protests against the British Government’s Near Eastern policy. It rejects the Piime Minister’s claim that policy was dictated by a desire for the freedom of the Straits. The manifesto affirms that the policy is really dictated by British capitalism.

The manifesto therefore demands a conference of all the Near Eastern peoples and also the immediate summoning of the British Parliament.

BRITISH OFFICIAL VIEW. LONDON, September 29. Official circles in London are of the opinion that the British forces now in Chanak are sufficiently strong to hold on whatever happens. Nevertheless they state, the whole aim of the British policy is to do the utmost possible to prevent the conflict. They sav there is no ground for believing that tho Turks are anywhere inside the British positions. KEMAL’S ATTITUDE GOOD.

A hopeful view is taken from the fact that both in his communicitions with General Harrington and with France, Kemni Pasha, takes it for granted that a conference will he held. AA’HO WOULD START AYAIU?

Tho massing of considerable Turkish Forces immediately outside the British positions leads to a presumption that if, (jventually, the Kemalists decided to fight, they would seek to provoke the British into firing the first shot, in order to ho able to tell the Moslem world that they were forced into war by t''e Christians.

THE SULTAN. Reports of the abdication of the Sultan are still unconfirmed.

KEMAL’S REPLY. . CONSTANTINOPLE, Sept. 29. General Harrington’s telegram states Mustaplm Rental Pasha declares that his troops will not advance any fincident” shall occur. ther. Kemal also desires that no “insident” shall occur. He will seize the earliest opportunity for meeting General HaHrng’ton.

KEMAL’S ORDERS. CONSTANTINOPLE, Sept. 29. French sources aver that Kemal Pasha informed General Pelle (French representative) that the strictest orders would he given the Kemalist troops not to fire a shot. Nevertheless the Turks continue pacifically closing in oil the British positions.

TURKS AND THRACE. LONDON, September 2'9 4 With reference to the suggestion that tlie Turks should be allowed to enter Thrace before a conference, the official British view is that this would be terly impossible, because it goes beyond the programme laid down at Paris, where the Allies definitely decided that the Turks should not be allowed into Thrace, except by a decision of the conference. GREEKS WOULD FIGHT 1 If the Turks are allowed to cross the Sea of Marmora prior to the conference, it would probably reopen the Greeco-Turkish war, involving a grave danger of warfare spreading to Europe.

KEMAL’S DEMAND. CONSTANTINOPLE, Sep. 29,

General Pelle (French envoy) has received from Kemal a message suggesting the British withdraw from the neutral zone. General. Harrington re plied suggesting a conference to establish a provisional neutral zone.

AN AUSTRIAN OPINION. VIENNA, Sep. 29. During a debate on peace propaganda, in the various countries at the International Democratic Congress, Count Czernin (ex-Austrian Minister) said that there would be no peace so long as the Versailles Treaty, by which millions were condemned to the role of slaves, existed. France went to war owing to Alsace Lorraine, but the Elitente bad created a dozen Alsace Lorraines. If this madness was not removed, it would be washed away with blood. Turkey had already done just wluit the other Alsace-Lorraines would do. when the moment came,

NO BRITISH ELECTIONS I’HIS YEAR. LONDON, Sep. 30. The “Pall Mall Gazette’ states:— Mr Lloyd George has abandoned any intention of appealing to the country this year.”

AUSTRALIAN LABOUR PARTY. ♦ SYDNEY, Oct. 1. The Council of Action here has issued a manifesto, in which it states: “ In consideration of the fact that the promise that the recent European war would ba the last war, has been dishonoured, by the servile acquiescence of the Prime Minister of Australia to the veiled commnads of the British imperialists, to plunge Australia into another war in the Near East, tins Council is determined to organise the workers in nil industries, so that the manufacture of army supplies and the transport of troops and war equipment shall be prevented at all costs. “This Council is further determined to organise, all effective forms of opposition, including general strikes, in the key industries and open air demonstrations. ‘This Council is also determined to secure adequate sanction from the Unions to declare such general or sectional strikes, or to take other measures for quick summary action, in the case of imminent or actual war promoted by any Australian Government.” The manifesto concludes by warning . “ those individuals who precipitate the people into such a war ” that, they will lie held personallv responsible for tlie death or the mutilation of any mem.lver of the working class resulting therefrom.

-G ENSBAL_.MAURICE’S “ SOLUTION. M LONDON, September 29. General Maurice, the British military expert, suggests that the Turks should be allowed to pass into Thrace. Ministerial circles do not regard seriously the suggestion made by MajorGeneral Maurice. .

It is pointed out that the suggestion is diametrically opposed to the Allies’ poliev, which is not to allow the Turks to enter Europe pending a peace settllnont.

NEUTRAL ZONE MOSTLY IN TURK HANDS. LONDON, September 29. The London “Star’s” Constantinov - correspondent states: “The Turkish forces in the neutral zone of the Dardanelles are steadily increasing. Ti c majority of the Turkish cavalry ha; now been withdrawn, and been .replaced' hv infantry.The Turks now occupy the whole neutral zone, except an area 20 miles in length and .10 miles in maximum depth, which is held by the British. SITUATION GRAVE. LONDON, September 29. Tho Cabinet this morning further considered the Near East situation, which is still regarded as grave. THE CAPITULATIONS. LONDON, September 29.

The “Daily Telegraph’s” Constantinople correspondent states: The French opinion in Constantinople tends to a belief that one of tho reason for. hostility being shown to the' Allied proposals is that they do uot refer to the abolition of the capitulations which the extremists think can now be achieved. If this is done, it will mean the destruction of foreign capital and trade in Constantinople which aspect of the question will hit hardest the whole French policy in Turkey.

INDIAN FEELING. DELHI, September 29. Immense satisfaction is expressed by the Moslems in the Punjab, which is regarded as the danger spot in India, over news published in Indian papers, that is said to have emanated from the Afghan Consul at Simla, to the effect that the Kemalists have occupied Constantinople and Thrace. Mustaplia Remaps photos are exhibited. He is hailed as “The Protector of the Faith”. Every move is watched with the keenest interest. The sympathies, which are most outspoken, are all pro-Turk,

BETTER NEAA’S. (Received this dav at 11.30 a.Hi.) LONDON, Oct. 1. It is officially stated the situation is J easier. The Turks have, promised' withdraw from Ereuhiiey. The question 1 of the complete Turkish evacuation of J neutral zone has been referred to the T Allied generals meeting at Madania on J Tuesday. FRANCE KT vsrixq (Received this dav ai-7.-It is France will not Anglo-Turkish conflir■ -7;