Britain in the East.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 October 1922, Page 1

Britain in the East.

PEOPLES THAT PLOT HER OVERTHROW. “AUSBIES” AT CHANAK. LONDON, September 29. Newly arrived from a holiday in the Near East danger zone, Mr Alan Box, formerly secretary to the Commonwealth Offices in London, gave a representative of the Sydney “Sun” a vivid, impression of the experiences of himself and his wife in he Near Bast danger zone since the Greek debacle focussed the world’s attention on the region. They quitted Chnnak only when the British ordered its complete evacuation by non-combatants and were among the last to leave. They hoarded a Greek steamer, taking pot-luck, and not knowing where she was going. As she steamed away they saw the distant dust of Kemal’s cavalry. On September 22nd they found themselves at Salonika in time to witness the crucial event of the Greek revolution—the arrival of the famous “independent” division, a picked Greek corps of heavily-armed men, who disembarked and encamped outside the town, and demanded that the King should aibdiente and the Government resign within 24 hours. This was really the deciding factor of the revolution, as a force holding Salonika holds the key to the Greek kingdom.

Mr iitid Mrs Box returned by train through Belgrade and Venice. They observed great military activity at Belgrade and along the entire route to the Italian frontier. During their stay at Constantinople they found conditions approaching what prevailed at Smyrna before the Turkish entry. It is now the most polyglot and heterogeneous city in the world. TVhile the Greeks and Armenians live in a constant condition of scare, Bolshevik agents ply their calling in every cafe. iA complete understanding seems to exist between them and the Turks, who are uncannily quiet- and orderly. THREATENING TNDIA. Mr Box says that from many conversations with civil and military authorities, the salient fact emerges that an enormous anti-British bloc has been formed throughout the Near and Middle East, ill which Mohammedans arc at present chiefly , interested, and the object of which must be to put all British authority behind them. There are Bolshevik and ancillary republics reaching to India. The Bolsheviks propose to use Kemal and his army as tools. “The Turk is always a gambler.’’ says Air Box. “and he will play higher than the situation warrants. ’’Therein lies grave danger as the anti-British bloc may persuade Kemal that he ran win if he embarks on an aggressive anti-British policy. Kemal himself is regarded as an adventurer, something after Enver Pasha’s type, hut possessing military quality of which Enver is destitute. “Enver is not regarded as a soldier in Constantinople, but as an assassin. He is the best revolver shot in Turkey Kemal is not a Turk. He was a Jew. born nt Salonika, who turned Mohammedan and joined Enver's Committee of Pnion and Progress, which deposed Abdul Hamid in 1009. and established a brutal autocracy. Kemal is now bitterly antagonistic to Enver on personal grounds.”

Mr Box speaks enthusiastically of the little hand of Australians at Gnlbpdi. Already they have received a cable ot thanks from the British Government for their services in the crisis. As there was nut an aerodrome in the Straits, the Australians offered to make one complete, with a water supply, in 48 hours.

THE “AUSSIES” OX GALLIPOT.!. The Australians gave valuable assistance in countless directions. The Navy wanted piers made, and the Australians, with local workers started in piledriving immediately. Their wireless equipment was invaluable before the fleet arrived.

“If the time comes to defend Gallipoli, these men will form a nucleus. They know every inch of the ground and now speak the Turk and Greek languages. One Australian Division could hold Gallpioli'against, the world now.”

Tlio Turks on the Peninsula, at present are ealni and obedient- but the villages contain 8000 “good fighting Turks.” It is certain that big stores of arms, ammunition, and other material are still concealed. The Australians unearth fre-li dumps daily. The last thing Mr Box saw when leaving the Straits was an explosion of three large dumps. “The Anza.es are coming back.” were the words that ran through Gallipoli last week. They had an extraordinary effect on the. Turks. Mr Box says it was a wonderful tribute to the Anzacs’ reputation. Every Turk farmer and boatman spread the report, which was broadcasted from London announcing Australia and New Zealand’s offer' of men.

“Tf the object of the British Government’s enquiry regarding the contingents was to produce a moral effect on the Turks, it was certainly a great success in the Peninsula.”