NEAR EAST WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1922, Page 5

NEAR EAST WAR.

ALLIED OCCUPATION. •‘WILL HAVE TO CEASE." BRITAIN MUST WITHDRAW. By Telegraph —Press Assn.—Copyrlgit. Received Sept. 14, 7.50 p.m. Constantinople. Sept. 13. Hamid Bey, Kemalist leader, states that • the inter-Allied occupation of Constantinople eannot last for ever, and it will have to cease when Turkey hqs achieved the peace for which she is fighting. He added: ‘ We will permit no control, because we are not slaves. Britain must make pp her tnind to abandon completely this key to the Mediterranean. The first condition to our participation in a peace conference is the evacuation of Anatolia.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PAYING FOR OLD CRIMES GREEKS AND ARMENIANS KILLED. Received Sept. 14, 7AO p.m. London, Sept. 13. The Daily Telegraph’s correspondent at ■Smyrna states the official executions of Armenians and Greeks guilty of the 1919 crimes are increasing in number, but the situation does not warrant the widespread rumors that the Armenians are destined for extermination. The Turkish commander states that as the Greeks laid waste an area more than 20 miles wide and 200 miles long, he sees no possibility of returning refugees to their homes in this ter- ~ tory.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. *A PANICKY FLIGHT.” GREEKS LEAVE SMYRNA. London, Sept. 13. Mr. Ward Price, in the Daily Mail, gives a graphic story of the Greeks* panicky flight from Smyrna on the approach of the Turks. He says the remnants of Tino’s army have now been shipped to Chios, whence they are returning to Athens for demobilisation. Steaming up the Gulf of Smyrna one had abundant evidence of the terrorised flight of the Greeks. The whole population, civil and military, was trying to get away. Steaming out of the gulf was a succession of Greek transports, shabby steamships of all sizes, which had hastily been requisitioned. Greek soldiers were clustering on them like swanns of bees. Little sailing boats labored along, heavily laden with refugees. Coastal steamers were packed with civilians and were towing more civilians in lighters.

Along the shore road on the south side of the gulf the Greek army, infantry, cavalry and motor transport, were streaming westward towards Cheosohe, whence they were ferried across to Chios. The confused’ khaki column stretched for miles. Smyrna itself was in great confus : on, the quays densely packed with Greeks, alternately weeping and shouting in panic and offering high prices for places in boats. The advance guard of the Turks entered without opposition. London. Sept. 13.

Advice* from Smvrna indicate that all is fairlv quiet. British sailors guard the Consulate, and Allied troops, with Mustapha’* concurrence, assist in maintaining order.

Well informed circles in London manifest anxietv regardin'- the likelihood of an attempt to reach Thrace. The Allied vessels at the Dardanelles and in the Sea of Marmora are ready to frustrate aueh an effort.

Serh'an circles confidentlv predict a Tureo-Bul«mran alliance against the other Balkan States. Mustanha has not renlied to the Allied warning against action in areas within their control in Thrace. The Pall Mall Gazette savs that the Turk* in Thrace are engineering an anti-Christian movement Encounters between Bulgarian comitadii* and Greek detachments occurred at Nevrokop. The Bnlgar ; ans were driven off. France has officia’lv signified her agreement with Britain on the subject of the freedom of the Straits, and exnr*««ed b*’’ to d’scuse *»nv settlement. providing legitimate Turkish aspirations are safeguarded. Paris. Sent. 13. M. Venezelos has arrived. He will confer with M Poincare and see Mr. Uovd George in London later to urge the Allies to uphold the Greek claim tn Thrace which he believes the Turkish surcease* are endangering. The Matin state* that the Christian minorities nerd not fear molestation by the Turkish armv. Mustapha Kemal having personallv undertaken their protection and maintenance. • Athens. Sept. 13. The Government has asked the AlFes for authority to requisition foreign steamer* to transport refugees from Asia Minor. It is reliablv stated that the Government* of Jugo-Slavia an-i Poumania intend to aid Greece in the event of a Balkan conflict. Jugo-Slavir is roobil ; * T ng and concentrating troop* towards Uskub.