THE NEAR EAST.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1923, Page 2

THE NEAR EAST.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. TURKISH ULTIMATUM. LONDON, Feb. 11. * The Turks have sent an ultimatum V to the Allies to leave Smyrna within three days.

BACHELORS FORCED TO MARRY. CONSTANTINOPLE, February 11. One item of business before tho Turkish National Assembly at Angora. is the consideration of a Bill providing that all Turks of 25 or over, if bachelors, must marry and have one child every three years. This bill is based on the need for an increase in the Turkish population, which is only two per square mile.

TURKS PREPARING FOR WAR. (Received this dnv at S a.m.) CONSTANTINOPLE, Feb. 12

The Turks are completing prepara-' tiuns for war. They are calling up more recruits in Asia- Timor and have perfected plans for a rising in Constantinople seizing the Allied munition dumps. They have concentrated fifty thousand men round Ismid. The Allies are restrained by the Mudania armistice from entrenching or reconnoitring. Ismet does not desire war, but taring. Ismet does not desire war. but opinion at Angora over Smyrna. ALT.TED VESSELS IN BLACK SEAT LONDON, Feb IT. It is reported from Constantinople that several Allied vessels are detained. • in Turkish Black Sea ports. FORCIBLE ENTRY TO SMYRNA. 1 THREAT TO FIRE ON TURKS. LONDON, Feb 11. ‘The Daily Express’s” Athens correspondent says:—A steamer from Smyrna lias brought a dramatic account of Rear-Admiral Nicholson’s refusal to ohoarve the Turks’ withdrawal demand. When the demand was first made The Allied sqnadroil under Admiral Nicholson. was outside the harbour. Turks thought they could shut out the squadron .and frantically signalled to the squadron ns it approached to Halt, because of the danger of mines. Admiral Nicholson, who was aboard the Curacoa. turned his “blind ’ eve to the signals, and steadily continued his course. lie was preceded by hydroplanes. which manoeuvred over the harbour, and hv mine sweepers, which cleared the way. Admiral Nicholson steamed strsS»it ahead, entered the harbour and told the Governor that he meant business, and would tire if attacked. TURKISH LEADERS. -j CONSTANTINOPLE, Feb 12— Much importance is attached to a coming meeting lietwecn Kemal Pasha and Ismid Pasha, when it is hoped that Kemal will decide to persuade the An gore Assembly to accept the Allied treaty terms and other business.