NEAR EAST WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 September 1922, Page 5

NEAR EAST WAR.

ADVANCE OF THE TURKS. GREEK WITHDRAWAL. MASSACRE OF CHRISTIANS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Paris, Sept. 6. The Petit Pariaien says it would be a thousand pities if events in the Near East lead to further misunderstandings between France and Britain. French opinion demands the revision of the Sevres Treaty and the restoration of the whole of Asia Minor and Thrace to Turkey. This would be a return to the traditional policy of France and Britain, which, as allies and friends, they followed in perfect harmony for a century, and, in view of the present Turkish victory, that will be the only means of re-establishing peace in the Near East. The Echo de Paris says that France cannot stand aside from the efforts to end the bloodshed, but in her action she must not appear in the eyes of the Turks as mediating for the Greeks. Athens. Sept. 6. It is reported that the Government has decided to accept the invitation to the Near East Conference at Venice. MM. Gournaris and Stratos will attend. Bucharest, Sept. 6. Nine British warships have arrived at Constanza to protect shipping in the Black Sea. GREEKS STILL RETIRING. Constantinople. Sept. 6. The Turke have reached Alashehr, 83 miles from Smyrna. The Greek evacuation of Brusa is confirmed. An Athens telegram asserts that the Greek withdrawal continues only on the northern front, the southern army having concluded its withdrawal to the well fortified line from Alaehehr south-east-ward. Newspapers state that the National Bank is transferring all its cash and documents _m Smyrna to Athens. All the Venizelist officers in Constantinople have telegraphed to the Greek Government, asking to foe sent to the front. A Greek communique states that the Turkish offensive towards Akardag met with .stubborn resistance. Our troops repulsed attacks and killed or wounded over 10,000. We are conducting an orderly retirement, destroying communications. The enemy has not occupied Eskishehr tnough the town has been evacuated for five days. The massacres and persecutions of Christians in the evacuated districts continue.