ADVANCE OF TURKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1922, Page 5

ADVANCE OF TURKS.

GREEKS DRIVEN BACK. FALL OF SMYRNA. EXCITEMENT IN CITY. By Telegraph.—press Assn.—Copyright. Received Sept. 10, 11.5 p.m. Constantinople, Sept. 9. A wireless menage from the front reports the surrender of Smyrna.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Received Sept. 10, 115 p.m. Paris, Sept. 9. _ Ahmed Gerid Bey, representing the Kemaitet Government in Paris, states the Turks wifi dear the Dardanelles no matter what troops are occupying it. Turkey will insist upon having’ possession of Constantinople, Adrianople and Thrace. The Greek administration in Smyrna departed on Friday, after handing over the city to tlie Allied Consul*. who wirelessed to Kemal Pasha asking him to arrange for the passage of Allied officers through the Turkish lines to enable them to discus* with him the peaceful occupation of the city. The Greeks are making strenuous efforts to evacuate their troops from Smyrna and other ports before the Turks arnve. There is much excitement in the city, where there are over two hundred thousand refugees. Many are short of food and some are starving. British and American warships have landed patrols to maintain order.—Aus.NZ. Cable Assn. Received Sept. 9, 55 pxn. Paris, Sept. 8. It i» reported the Turkish commander has demanded the surrender of the entire Greek forces in Smyrna, which the Turks are expected to reach on Saturday. Turkish aeroplanes are flying over Smyr na, dropping propaganda leaflets, and also annuncing that the Turks will not be responsiLte for any damage to the city arising out of resistance to their advance.— Aus.-N-Z. Cable Assn. THE POLITICAL ASPECT. CHANGE OF GREEK PREMIER. Received Sept. 10, 115 p.m. London, Sept. 10. The newspaper Observer states Greek circles regard King Constantine’s selection of M. Calogeroupolos as Premier as the first step towards bringing back M. Venezelos. It is suggested that King Constantine, in the interests of Greece, may abdicate in favour of the Crown Prince, with whom M. Venezelos fs willing to co-operate if recalled to Athens but he will not co-operate with King Constantine It is considered probable that the Allies are exerting pressure to bring about the recall of M. Venezelos to deal with the crisis.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. THE GREEKS DISORGANISED. SURRENDER OF OFFICERS. Received Sept. 10, 55 p.m. Paris, Sept. 9. Five hundred officer# surrendered with General Tricoupis, owing to disorganisation of the Greek forces and absence of news from Athens concerning the movements of the armies. Genera! Tricoupis was taken prisoner when the Greek Cabinet appointed him commander-in-chief, and General TriCoupia learned of his appointment from the Turks. NORTHERN ARMY COLLAPSES. A COMPLETE DEFEAT. Paris, Sept. 8. It is reported the Greek northern army is completely defeated and is retreating, abandoning all material. The Turkish cavalry has entered Pergama, 58 miles north of Smyrna. One column reached the Aegean coast and two others are marching on Smyrna. Five American destroyers have arrived at Smyrna. The Matin states that Kema! Pasha has forbidden the troops to harm Christians, under penalty of death. Three army corps belonging to the Greek northern army have been annihilated. The commanding officer was wounded anu taken prisoner. Constantinople. Sept. 8. The Allied Governments informed the Angora Government that the Greeks are willing immediately to evacuate Asia if an armistice is concluded. Athens, Sept. 8. The Cabinet has resigned. The King requested M. Callogeropoulos to form a new Cabinet. Genera’ Polyneakos succeeds General Tricoupis as Commander-in-Chief. A violent Turkish land and sea attack on Ghesmlek, on the Sea of Marmora, was repulsed. The Greeks have taken up positions round Smyrna, and 30 ships are ready to remove the refugees.