TURKS AT WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1922, Page 5

TURKS AT WAR.

STRENGTH OF KEMALISTS, PLENTY OF MUNITIONS. WONDERFUL MORALE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received August 31, 5.5 p.m. London, August 30. A Greek communique declares the Kemali*ts are using French artillery and hive an abundance ox munitiot.s. General Townshend, interviewed by the IMily Express, said Kemals offensive could have been expected after Mr. Lloyd George’s recent Near East speech, which killed all hope of peace. He added: “It was to try to stop war that I saw Kemal.’ **l do not think the British Government hae any idea of the fighting value of Kemal’s army,” said General Townshend. •'Their morale is wonderful. They are united and determined as one man, and possess plenty of ammunition, together with guns and rifles used in the great war, their factory at Angora haring replaced all the breach-blocks surrendered to the Allies at the time of the armistice. Turkish artisans, as a result of German tuition during the late war. are now making breach-blocks out of locomotive wheels, adapting Russian projectiles to Turkish guns.

“Britain and France must of necessity march together as regards the Near East. So long as France is pro-Turk and Britain pro-Greek we cannot hope for peace.” —-Ans.-N-Z. Cable Assn.

POLICY OF GREECE. FLAYING PART OF PROTECTOR. GUARDING THE CHRISTIANS. Received August 31, 7.55 p.m. London. August 31. The Greek authorities in Lindon are r>u«y with propaganda. They claim that the Turks are greatly exaggerating the result of the Ha:tie. While admitting that the two principal wings of th 3 Greek army have no longer direct railway communication it is stated they remain in canta •: with each other. Recalling the claim that the Greeks occupied Smyrna by Allied instructions, the authorities insist their forces are retained in Asia Minor because they are the sole protectors of the Christian population. The Greeks declare that if the troops are withdrawn the Christians will be left to a terrible fate, because the Allied Powers do not provide alternative protection. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. OBJECT OF OFFENSIVE. GREEKS NOT OPTIMISTIC. Received August 31. 10.30 p.m. London, August 31. Cairo reporta that a wireless from Constantinople says the Nationalist offensive appears to have been planned with an eye to the coming peace conference at Vienna, in the hope that the Turks will be able to say: “We can expel the Greeks from Asia Minor if left alone.” The tone of the latest Greek communiques ia not optimistic, especially in reference to the unexpected artillery strength of the Nationalists, who are known to have received large supplies of munitions and numerous aircraft and ether equipment from France during the Uai three months. —Times Service.

PROGRESS OF FIGHTING. CONFLICTING REPORTS. Received Sept. 1. 1.10 a.m. Paris, August 31. advices from Angora say a jubilant _>fflnn : qu? claims that the Turks are advancing everywhere and capturing prisoners, while the Greeks are fleeing and are abandoning great quantities of material. An unconfirmed telegram reports the Turks have occupied Eskishehr. On the contrary, an Athens semi-offi-cial says the evacuation of Afiun Kara Hi«sar was carried out in perfect order and all material withdrawn to a new line, from which the Greek artillery dominates the town. HUNDREDS OF WOUNDED GREEKS. Received August 31, 10.30 p.m. London. August 31. Several hundred wounded Greek troope have arrived at Smyrna from the interior.