TURKS AT WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1921, Page 5

TURKS AT WAR.

fighting the Greeks. OBSCURE POSITION. ARMIES EXHAUSTED. By Telegraph.—Proas Assn Copyright. London, Sept. 13. The Foreign Office, questioned as to the position in Asia Minor, said it was obscure and unsatisfactory. Britain bad to rely on the communiques of both sides pending verification. Discussing the progress of the warfare, the Foreign Office pointed out that after the Greeks had made a succession of strong attacks the Turks entrenched along the line of the Sakaria River, and occupied practically impregnable positions in the mountains overlooking the winding river. In some places they were entrenched 3000 feet above the river.

The Greeks advanced a considerable distance, many getting over the river, but progress towards Angora was held up. The Turks, at the end of July, fearing Angora was about to be captured, prepared to remove the seat of government to Kaisarich, but stopped the operations at the last moment.

The Foreign Office has received information that both the Turks and Greeks are exhausted and unable to advance. The Turks had depended mainly on supplies of arms and gold from the Bolsheviks, who, despite asking the Allies for £40,000,000, seemed to have plenty of money for propaganda purposes. They had sent large quantities of ammunition, which enabled the Turks to continue their resistance. On the other hand the Greeks were handicapped by Britain’s embargo on munitions going to either side. Britain is not prepared to mediate until both sides are ready to accept the previous offers of mediation, which they refused. ATTACK ON GREEKS. THE ONSLAUGHT REPULSED. Received Sept. 14, 8 pun. Athens, Sept. 12. A communique states: “The enemy attacked our centre and left in great strength, but were repulsed.