THE BULGARIAN POLICY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2483, 21 September 1922, Page 1

THE BULGARIAN POLICY.

AG A INST INTER F FERENCE. SOFIA, Sept. 17. The Bulgarian newspapers arc guarded and non-committal regarding the positionn. The Premier, M. Stamboulincki, has reaffirmed Bulagria’s desire for an Aegean outlet, but the Government’s policy at present is against interference in Thracian affairs. There are signs that the Turks will make overtures to the opposition parties if the Premier fails to respond. Bulgaria’s viewpoint is that it would gladly see Eastern Thrace in Turkish hands and wants the Greeks to evacuate West Thrace, making its autonomous, or otherwise Bulgarian.—A. and N.Z. cable. “DO NOTHING RASHLY IN NEAR EAST.’’ WHAT HAPPENED IN 1914. PARIS, Sept. 18. The Petit Parisien says: “The British Note smells a little of powder. It is our turn to-day to beg our British friends to do nothing rashly in the Near East. In 1914 feur of Russia led Turkey into Germany’s hands; Turkey must not be led to-day by the fear of the British seizure of Constantinople to throw herself into Russia’s arms. Such a step would be certain to lead to a new European war.” The Petit Parisien advises moderation on Turkey's part, saying she may count on an honourable peace. The Echo de Paris says it has never heard language more threatening or has seen a greater display of force. It even surpasses the tone employed by the exKaiser. “We cannot believe, upon reflection, that. Britain desires war; ii is a question of prestige. Mustapha’s humiliation is the end pursued by the British Cabinet. Either Kernal will bow, and consequently be discredited before Islam, or resist, and Britain will count upon the fleet to inflict on him a still more grievous affront. The friends of Britain hope that her eyes may bo opened in time to renounce the enterprise she is confronting.” The Eclair endorses the Note and says that Britain could not allow Rental's insolent declarations to puss unanswered. “Our Government now has the opportunity to seal a grand alliance from the Rhine to the Bosphorus. It would consolidate our position. We should not allow the opportunity to escape.”—A. and N.Z. cable.

MASSACRES IN SMYRNA. TOWN MADE A CHARNEL HOUSE. LONDON, Sept. 18. The Times’ (‘on.-tnnt inoplo correspondent says; “Estimates of the massacres in Smyrna vary greatly-— at the highest 400,000; at - the lowest 100.000. All account's agree that the town was made a charnel house. Some streets are so littered with mutilated bodies that it is impossible to pass owing to the sickening stench. The killing was carried out systematically. Turkish regulars and irregulars rounded up those who were apparently well to do and stripped and killed them in batches. Many Christians took refuge in the churches, which were set on lire. “Others leaped into the harbour and many were drowned. Others were tired on and killed. The harbour is dotted with corpses. Some of the stirs ivors who reached an American ship were dragged aboard naked They had not tasted food for days.

“The. troops in many eases formed cordons and kept the refugees within the burning area. British refugees agree that the Greek troops did not commit excesses in Smyrna, but were guilty of wholesale incendiarism and sometimes massacred the Turks during their retreat.” —Times.

RECOGNITION OF DOMINIONS’ RIGHTS. CONSULTATION IN EMPIRE AFFAIRS. MELBOURNE. Sept. 19. The Argus in a leader says; “The British Government’s appeal is a recognition of the right of the Dominions to be consulted in matters of such moment to the Empire.” The paper anticipates that the Federal Parliament will doubtless endorse Mr Hughes’s action. The Age declares that it was possible for tin Commonwealth Government to make only a favourable answer to the Imperial Government’s appeal. That answer lias been made, and it is to be hoped that it will prove ns influential as is expected.— Press Association. PREPARATIONS IN AUSTRALIA.

REINFORCEMENTS FOR ASIA MINOR ANZAC DIVISION POSSIBLE. SYDNEY, Sept, 19. In the absence of definite details in respect to the exact nature of the Dominions’ assistance, many are speculating whether a division or a brigade will be despatched. The preliminary preparatory work by the authorities is progressing on the basis of one division going. It is thought possible that Australia and New Zealand may form an Anzac division to reinforce the Allies in Asiu Minor. The military opinion seems to prefer a division to a brigade as the latter would be swallowed up in an English division. —Press Association. CRITICISM IN FRANCE. LONDON, Sept. 18. The Daily Mail’s Paris correspondent says the call to the Dominions is criticised in France, where it is declared that if any danger is present it is a danger which could not be met by Dominion troops, who would be unable to arrive for a couple of months.—A. and N.Z. cable.

THREAT BY THE TURKS. “ALUKS M IST GIVE PLACE ASKKD FOR.” ('ON ST A NTI NOPI.K, Sept. 18. The. news) isi per Akam in an inspired article says: “The Keuiulists will not at the moment infringe the neutral zone, hut the Allies must give them the peace asked for. Otherwise war with the Allies is cortain.” —A. and N.Z. cable. BLAME FOR SITUATION. NEW YORK, Sept, 18. Many preachers in their Sunday sermons, commenting on the Near East situation, condemned the action of the Turks and called upon the Allies to drive them out of Asia Minor, and never to surrender Constantinople to them. Some well-known ministers who did missionary _work in the Near East, condemned the United States action in standing aloof and declared the blame for the situation rests primarily with that, country, which could have prevented the present conditions by timely participation in a settlement of Near East affairs. —A. and N.Z. cable.

JUGO-SLAVIA ALARMED. PARIS, Sept. 17. M. Poincare and the King of Jugoslavia had a lengthy conference on the Turco-Greek situation. The Jugo-Slavia Foreign Minister subsequently stated that his country would regard the Turks’ crossing to the European side of the Straits as most dangerous. Jugo-Slavia has not vet taken military measures, but has informed Britain and France that she is greatly alarmed bv the return of Turkish rule to Thrace, which would seriously disturb the situation in Angora,—A. and N.Z. cable.