THE NEAR EAST.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 November 1922, Page 3

THE NEAR EAST.

„OT,U<S AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

FEARS IN TURKEY

(Received this day at 8 n.m.)_ CONSTANTINOPLE, Nov- '• Affairs are regarded as approaching a catastrophe. Customs have begun an application for a tariff which has been collected in Kemalist regions and which is five-fold the wartime tariff. Many Turks are taking refuge in the Embassies and apply for protection. The better class of Greeks and Armenians are leaving the city daily. The exodus will become uncontrollable when the time conies to withdraw the Allied troops. A communique issued by the Allied High Commissioners that the forces of occupation remain at present to ensure law and order, had a somewhat reassuring effect. Seven thousand Greek refugees from the villages ill the neighbourhood of the Allied line embarked under British auspices yesterday. Everybody is endeavouring to convert lires into sterling, which is practically unobtainable.

U i« reported the Kemalist- are imposing a levy on native Christians in the suburbs, for the upkeep of Turkish forces.

FEARS AND DANGERS. ''Received this day at 8.30 a.m.) CONSTANTINOPLE. November 6. Apart from official circles there is much nervousness in European quarters. Business men and others are ready at a. moment’s notice to quit the city. The populace continue to make demonstrations and any one not wearing a fez is liable to be insulted and roughly handled. It is obvious that the arrival of Rafet Pasha to take over the Governorship of Thrace is a bluff, designed to throw dust in the eyes of the High Commissioners. His true objective was to overthrow the Sultan, win over the troops at the Sultan’s disposal and procure the way for the complete domination of the city. Tn this the Angora supporters have been completely successful. There is no longer any correct distinction between the Governments of Constantinople and Angora,

AXOOR.VS OK.MAN'OS. '* f Received this da v :it 9..'50 a. n.) ‘ CONSTANTINOPLE. Xov. 0 Some of Angoru’s military (li'imuuls refused hv tin l Hit'll Commissioners, are officially regarded as mere feelers, while some of the latest actions of the Angora Government, such as increased tarilf and new passport regulations are the logical sequence of Angora’s assumption of a mixed court, however, is regarded most seriously. How far Angora intends to pursue the policy taken tip will probably lie seen in the course of twenty-four hours, following the High Commissioners prompt refusal of the military demand. It is officially stated that complete unanimity exists between the Allied High Commissioners and Allied Governments, who are co-operating firmly in the resistance of all the demands and action infringing the .Mudania Convention.

YARIOUS PRESS VIEWS. «' OF TCKKISH SITUATION. (Received this day at 11..'1D a.in.) PARIS, Xov 7. The “Petit Parisien” reports .M. Poineaire conferred with Marshal Koeh who expressed the opinion that if tho Turks were as intoxicated by their * victory,* as to violate their pledge, it h will ho relatively easy for the Allies to ’) maintain themselves on the European side of the Straits. Although there is j anxiety in Constantinople, there is no reason to suppose the Turks will resist ‘ the Allies, and expose themselves to measums of force. The “.Journal des Debnts” says ten I Turkish vessels disembarked Kemalist |, soldiers at l.apsaki, on the East side of the Dardanelles, live miles south of g Gallipoli. Their object apparently is to seize Gallipoli, the civil control cF which will he transferred by Greeks on 2l)tli November to French troops in f occupation. c NEW YORK. Xov 7th. The “Horald’s” Constantinople correspondent says it is evident the Turks believe the British are paralysed by the political situation, and are incapable of offering military resistance. Rafet Pasha, by the assumption of the so-called civil authority, lias obtained control of the Sultan’s guard of five thousand troops, with considerable reserves, all of whom have donned the Nationalist cockade. The Nationalists thus have a trained army rend.v for action in the city. They have also been recruiting in Thrace, consequently tho Lausanne Conference, will meet under strong Turkish military pressure. 'File issue seems more, doubtful than ever, The Chicago “Tribunal’s” itpresentative in Stamboul reports Rafet Pasha has closed the Porte, and announced that the City is no longer jnore than a proyince,