THE NEAR EAST.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 October 1922, Page 2

THE NEAR EAST.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.a. CABLE ASSOCIATION. FELLING IN INDIA. LONDON, October 3. Lord Reading reporting to Lord Peel states the Turkish victories in Asia Minor and British attitude has caused excitement among Mahommedans. In all the provinces of India and even in Burma prayers were being offered for the success of Turkish arms. Some hopes are entertained of raising an Angora Legion, to assist the Turks. Lord Reading concludes that if negotiations break down and the British and Turkish forces come into conflict, the effect on Moslem feeling cannot fail to he very serious.

KEMAL’S REPLY. CONSTANTINOPLE October 3

M. Bouillon does not consider the text of the Angora Government’s reply to the Allied Note can be despatched for five or six days, as Kemal only arrived at Angora yesterday. M. Bouillon is of opinion that the Allied proposals can serve as a basis for negotiations as the differences between Allied and Turkish view points are formal, rather than fundamental.

TURKS WITHDRAW FROM CHANAK. LONDON, Oct. 4, The “Morning Post’s” correspondent at Constantinople states—The majority of the Turkish cavalry at Chanak have withdrawn some distance from tire British entrenched lines, presumably under Kemal’s order suspending military movements.

STORY ABOUT TURK COMMUNISTS LONDON, Oct. 3. The London- “Morning Post’s” special correspondent, telegraphing from Sofia, says he has been in close touch with the Angora situation for three weeks, and is able to supply the following details of the inner political workings before the military operations were undertaken. A powerful Moderate party, he says, was formed, favouring an understanding with Britain, and opposing the military group. Tliis party consisted chiefly of Circassian noblemen, tlie leaders including Bekir Sami Bey. After Kemal’s victory, the Moderates were obliged to support the military, in order to maintain themselves, hut now they are exercising a Moderate influence on Kemal’s counsels. .With the Communists, they have been most active, ami an increasing number of delegates in the National Assembly have joined the Communist party, through the activities of M. Araloff, Soviet Ambassador. The Turkish Communists have not a Turkish policy, but stand for a complete union with Russia in foreign policy, especially in war, against Britain. They are straining every nerve to bring about a rupture with Britain, and consequently a Turkish-Bolshevik attack on the Balkans.

The “Morning Port’s' special Sofia correspondent says: The question is whether the obvious interest of Turkey in securin'! British friendship prevails over Turkish distrust of British police and Bolshevik propaganda, and subsidies, which have been pouring into the country for a year. The Communists are also gaining ground in Bulgaria. Macedonia, ami Thrace. The Bulgarian friendship for Turkey is even stronger than during the war.