THE ALLIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 February 1921, Page 5

THE ALLIES.

LONDON CONFERENCE, GRECO-TURKISH AMBITIONS. I BRITAIN’S IMPARTIAL ATTITUDE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn Received Feb. 23, 8.40 p.m. London, Feb. 22. Though the Kemalist delegation has not yet been accorded official recognition by the Allies’ Conference their presence in London enables the delegates to listen to a spirited discussion on Greece’s capacity to destroy the Nationalist movement. M. Kalogeropoulous (Premier of Greece) assured the conference that Greece is prepared to shoulder the necessary military burden and call up more classes to the army. Greece is also prepared to impose more taxation if an Allied loan is granted. M. Saryannis, a Greek military expert, is optimistic. He declares the Kemalist forces are greatly exaggerated, and he points out that the Greek advance achieved results which Allied experts declared impossible. A French expert, interviewed, declared that the Kemalist generals are highly skilled and experienced, and the Greek idea of advancing on Angora is sheer madness. The Italians agree, and say that’ such a campaign is a military impossibility. The Daily Telegraph states the British attitude is one of judicial impartiality. British expert information agrees with that of Greece regarding the Kemalist strength, but it is uncertain if the Greek moral is the same after the election and return of King Constantine; also whether they realise the financial burdens involved. Meanwhile Sami Bey roundly maintains his plaim that Turkey is entitled to full ethnographical limits, and he says he is determined not to yield to Constantinople or to the Greeks. When asked his opinion regarding the Greek’s optimism, he merely shrugged his shoulders. He rbsents the delegation being styled Kemalists. They do not belong to any person or party, they are Nationalists, he declares. The delegation will present itself at St. James’ Palace (where the Conference is sitting) to-day.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. STRENGTH OF OPPOSING FORCES. London, Feb. 22. Information from Greek military sources puts the total strength of the Kemalist forces in Asia Minor at under 60,000, including all auxiliaries. They are lacking almost every kind of material and those opposing the Greeks have lost their moral. The Greek army numbers 130,000 perfectly organised’ and ready for an immediate advance towards * Angora to inflict a decisive blow. Bekirsami Bey, leader of the Kemalist delegation to the London Conference. expresses strong antagonism to the Greek claims. He says: <r We shall never give way. You had better let. us fight; we can soon settle.” He claims that the Constantinople authorities sent Tewfik Pasha to the conference, not that the Turkish nation sent him.