NEAR EAST WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1922, Page 5

NEAR EAST WAR.

GRAVE ASPECT ARISES. THREAT OF EXTENSION. POSITION OF BRITAIN. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.-—Copyright. London, Sept. 10. It is reported that British troops have landed at the Sea of Marmora litoral. Kermalists were astonished and angered and declare they will repel any invasion of Asia Minor. The Sunday Times says: “We gave Greece our blessing and encouragement, while the French gave the Turks guns and tanks. The result is a broken Greece, a triumphant Turkey, a jubilant France and a Britain sore and dissatisfied. What will very quickly be upon us is the old Turkisn question in a new guise. The Turks, after their resounding success in Anatolia, will become emboldened and then dream of preparing for the recapture of Turkey in Europe. It would condemn all Southeastern Europe to perpetuity of war if the Turks, through discord among the Allies, were allowed to slip back to their old position.” Paris, Sept. 10. The warships Metz and Strasbourg have been ordered to the Levant. The Petit Parisien asserts that the French contingents which disembarked at Smyrna will now rejoin their respective vessels. Other newspapers allude to a report that, as the Greeks are withdrawing their forces from Bigha, on the Asiatic side of the Sea of Marmora, there is a likelihood of their being replaced by British contingents. The Petit Parisien says that if this is true it will lead to France sending contingents to the same locality. The Oeuvre hints that the GreecoTurkish conflict is developing into an Anglo-Turkish war. A SERIOUS SITUATION. TURKS FLUSHED WITH SUCCESS. London, Sept. 10. The Cairo correspondent of the Times states that there is considerable misgiving in British and French foreign circles over the completeness of the Turkish victories. Even the French fear that the Nationalist Government, flushed with success, might demand impossible concessions, such as the evacuation of the Dardenelles area. It is becoming increasingly clear that co-operation of the Entente Powers in the East is absolutely necessary if they wish to conclude a peace with Turkey, which will not be an ignominious surrender All the Greek garrisons have been withdrawn from the vicinity of the Dardenelles -and the inter-allied gendarmerie, composed in this instance of Turks under British officers, have taken over the maintenance of order at Bigha, Ezina and other places in the Asiatic neutral zone of the Dardenelles.

TURKS JUBILANT. Constantinople. Sept 11. The city is dominated by the gala spirit and illuminated in celebration of victory. After a grandiose service at St. Sophia’s 25,000 worshippers listened to chauvinistic speeches delivered outside the mosque. The crowd continuously shouted “Down with Greece; may all Christians be wiped out.” Allied subjects fear that developments may compel their departure. Christian refugees arriving from Broussa and elsewhere are treated with harshness. Turkish opinion generally agrees with the press declaration that: “Despite the complete defeat of the Greeks the war is unfinished. We do not consider the war won by the capture of Smyrna. To conclude peace solely depends on us. Those who want peace m the Orient must wait until we manifest a desire for it.” Geneva, Sept. 10. It is reported that the Angora Government informed the League of Nations that the Government would not take responsibility for the massacres owing to the highly strung spirit of the Turkish population. London, Sept. 11. Though M. Theotocis on his arrival at Athens announced the complete evacuation of Smyrna, including practically all the war material, advices from Adanne, via Paris, declare that a large force of Greeks fell into the Turkish hands including an entire army corps, while other bands remain to be rounded up. All the Greek artillery and transport has been captured. Athens,Sept. 10. The wife of General Trieoupis has received a telegram signed Mustapha Kemal informing her that her husband and other superior Greek officers who are his guests are quite well. Athens, Sept. 10. The King has issued a message to the nation urging calmness. Measures are being taken throughout the country to maintain order. M. Triantafillakos is forming a Ministry. REJOICINGS AT VICTORY. EFFECT ON MOHAMMEDANS. Received Sept. 11. 5.5 p.m. New York, Sept. 11. According to the Chicago Tribune’s Constantinople correspondent the entry of the Turks into Smyrna coincided with the anniversary of the victory at Sakharia. Stamdoul has gone insane for the first time in Islamic history; mosques were lighted to celebrate the military victory and an illuminated text was swung between lofty minarets. The effect of the victory on the Mohammedan world is incalculable. It is regarded as a direct answer to Mr. Lloyd George’s speech and his treatment of Fethi Bey in London. The Turks declare that all the captured war material bears British labels. Kemal Pasha has proclaimed a threat of death on looters, whether Greek or Turk. While anxious-eyed Greeks throng the churches and despairingly scan the military communiques pasted on the walls, the happy, leering and coffee-sipping Turks watch gloatingly, but they subscribed £200,000 for the relief of Christian refugees.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE GREEK CABINET. Received Sept. 12, 12.15 a.m. Athens, Sept. 10. M. Calogeroupolis has taken the portfolio of Foreign Affairs in M. Triantafilako’s Cabinet.