THE NEAR EAST.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 November 1922, Page 2

THE NEAR EAST.

REUTEIt’S TELEGRAMS

KEMAUSTS TAKE CHARGE. CONDON, Nov 5

It is understood in official circles that the Kemalists have assumed the Government at Constantinople; It is also reported that British troops have been in conflict with anti-I*oreign Demonstrators, but the Foreign Office is unable to confirm this. TURKISH POLITICS. CONSTANTINOPLE, Nov 5. Cabinet lias resigned. TURKISH POLITICS. PARIS, Nov 5. A statement that the Turks bad ordered the abolition of teaching <n French in Christian and Jewish schools, particularly at Brusa and dclina, caused a disagreeable surprise. Government has instructed its representatives at Angora to protest. SCENES IN TURKEY.

CONSTANTINOPLE, November 5. Remarkable scenes have accompanied the assumption of government by Rafat Pasha who is Governor of Thrace. Demonstrators bearing photographs of Mustaplm Kemal Pasha, and flags, beating drums, invaded the European quarter. They threatened the residents there. The British military police there accepted the gravest provocation before finally firing on demonstrators. A few of the demonstrators were wounded. Rafat Pasha’s action was an unofficial one. He declares that he is awaiting inst’iictions. Tne courts here have been suspended and the civil servants have been dismissed.

The Angora Government announces that, though the Khalifate . remains with' the House of Othman, the Assembly will select a Prince whose character fits him to he Khalif. Abdul Mejd is mentioned as a favourite as his Western ideas would afford more liberty for development. The abdication of the Sultan is reported. The Angora Assembly decision regarding the Sultanate has caused consternation. Sober minded Turks regard it as a blow at the deep rooted traditions, mid likely to damage the prestige of the Khalifate in the eyes of the entire Moslem world. The Turks are asking themselves where the ruthless innovations are going to end. The order for the expulsion of Christians is also causing serious misgivings as practically all the skilled labour is supplied by Greeks and Armenians,

An Athens report says an insurrection lias begun oil Sanlos Island, demanding its former self-government.

TURKISH DEMAND

CONSTANTINOPLE, Nov. 6.

Rafat Pasha has sent a message to General Harrington claiming the right to instal Kemalist civil administrations at Clianak. Gallipoli and on the Asiatic shores of the Bosphorus. The three Allied Generals have replied that this would involve a political issue, and they were not authorised to accept the claim,

demand for evacuation

CONSTANTINOPLE, November 6

The Angora Representative here has handed a note to the Allied High Commissioners. requesting tlieir immediate evacuation of Constantinople and declaring that the Allied military occupation of the city has become useless, and is impossible now that the Angora Government have taken ever the administration.

TURKEY’S OLD DEBTS. PARIS, November C

An official Turkish statement denies that Angora intends to repudiate Turkey’s debts, or to abrogate tlia administration of her public debts. NEW TURK IDEA. LONDON, Nov. 3. The Angora Turkish Chamber has deferred to a Judicial Committee a proposal to separate the Ivhalifate from the Sultanate. Anxiety is expressed at a report that in Thrace the Turks are raising 30,000 recruits. France opposes any conflict with the Turks there. The Greek Government is reported to have fixed the guilt .for the Greek defeat on Constantine, and to have decided to ask him to stand trial. The Egyptian Nationalists will send a delegation to the Near East Peace Conference.

REPLY TO ANGORA NOTE. REUTER*B TELEGRAMS. (Received this clay at 8 a.m.) CONSTANTINOPLE, Nov. 6. TIL Angora Note stated the National Assembly does not intend to take military action overstepping the stipulations'of the Mudania Conference, regarding tho number of gendarmes required for~ tbe maintenance of order, and expressed the hope that the Allies would give tlieir demands favourable consideration. A meeting of Allied High Commissioners and Generals discussed the Angora note and despatched a reply categorically refusing the demand for the evacuation of Constantinople.