THREAT OF WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 August 1922, Page 5

THREAT OF WAR.

TURKEY AND GREECE. AN UNCERTAIN OUTLOOK. GREEKS FEAR ALLIES. PROMISE NOT TO ATTACK. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Constantinople. July 30. The Kemalist Government declare*, if the Greeks cross the frontier at Chatalja they will march on Constantinople . via Derinje. Paris, July 30. The extent of Greece’s military preparations is obscure, but a Note sent to the Allies expresses Greece’s readiness to examine any peace proposals, though she consider® peace will never be real- j ised until Turkey is made to feel the i strength of Greece as victor. The French representative at Athens ’ learns officially that Greece has no in- * tention of attempting a coup against Constantinople without the consent of ; the Allies. Athens. July 30. ; The Greek Note to the Allies declares I that by neutralising Constantinople, the ! Allies are protecting, instead of coercing Turkey, and depriving Greece of the means of imposing peace. The continuance of the present situation is encouraging the Turk* to exterminate Christiana. The Greek occupation of Constantinople only means bringing about peace. Greece has made arrangements I for that purpose and begs the Allies to , give the army of occupation the neces- i sary orders. General Harrington’s declaration that he will forcibly oppose any move against Constantinople has caused a deep im- . preerion in Athens. Paris, July 30. French newspapers state that the Greek Charge d’Affaires yesterday handed the French Government the Greek Note, which affirms that Greece will not act without the consent of the Allies. Greece’s request was immediately refused. There is reason to believe the same reply was given in London and Home.

TROOPS MOBILISED. SOME CONFLICTS REPORTED. ALLIED TROOPS IN READINESS. London, July 30. It ie impossible to over-estimate the importance of the new situation in Thrace. Even if King Constantine’s threat to occupy Constantinople does not materialise the event® of the last few days re-emphasise clearly the volcanic character of Turco-Greek relatione. British diplomatists are inclined to think that the Greeks’ request for permission to occupy Constantinople ie merely an expression of impatience and alarm at the non-solution of the Near Eastern problem, partieulaily the failure of any united effort by Britain, France and Italy, with the result that the Greek Treasury has been drained and the Greek® in Asia Minor continue to be massacred. Moreover the Greeks ■ do not believe that peace is possible,: unless heavy pressure is applied to Turkey, but France and Italy declined to associate thenwelves with an ultimatum demanding the Turkish acceptance of the terms offered in March. Meanwhile Paris officialdom fails to understand the Greek assurance that they will not attempt the coup in regard to Constantinople in view of the fact that 25,000 troops have been hurriedly withdrawn from Angora to Rodosto. The Daily Chronicle's Paris correspondent states that Greek patrols and * Turkish gendarmerie have already come into conflict. After the Greeks crossed the neutral zone they carried outpa reconnaissance in Turkish territory. The Turks fired on the invaders, who replied and retired. The Greek headquarters in Thrace have been removed from Adrianople to Tcherkeskeni, near Hademkop- which is the centre of the Chatalja line protecting Constantinople. French troops have been moved to Chatalja from Constantinople and the Sussex Battalion ha® been dispatched -thither from Malta. The French definitely fear the Greeks will execute the threat to occupy Constantinople as the speediest way of terminating the war in Aaia Minor. The Government has sent a fresh warning to Greece which is understood to be replying by reiterating the request for permission to occupy Constantinople. The Greeks have also taken a grave step in the other direction by proclaiming Smyrna an autonomous State, with a charter embodying full religious and political liberty for Moslems and Christians. This coup is undoubtedly intended to present the Allies with an accomplished fact and settle the vexed question of the Greek military evacuation of Smyrna. Later reports declare that there have been further conflicts between the Greeks and Turks at Silivri on the Sea of Marmora.