RUSSIA TO JOIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 September 1922, Page 5

RUSSIA TO JOIN.

SUPPORT FOR TURKS.

ARMY READY TO MOVE. RECRUITS CALLED UP. By Telegraph.-^-Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Sept. 18. The Riga correspondent of The Times says that a message from Moscow reports that the Bolshevists have convened an extraordinary conference o-f the Revolutionary Military Council with Trotsky as president. The resolutions passed are kept secret. Well-informed circles affirm that the conference decided immediately to prepare for action all the forces'in the Caucasus Republic, also the Moscow forces stationed in the Caucasus, as well as the Black Sea fleet. It is reported that one corps of the Soviet forces is already stationed on the frontier of Angora ready to march to Kemal’s assistance in case of an advance towards Constantinople. Other correspondents report that the Russo-Angora Treaty binds Moscow to co-operate with Kemal in the capture of the Dardanelles, receiving as compensation complete freedom of action in the Black Sea. It is reported that the Soviet Com-mander-in-Chief, Kamenoff. has departed for the Caucasus. An official Moscow message states that citizens of the 1901 class, previously exempted for various reasons, have been called tQ the colors. POLICY OF FRANCE. PRESS ATTACKS BRITAIN. Received Sept. 18, 9.5 p.m. Paris, Sept. 17. The Press almost unanimously condemns the British policy, declaring bitterly that Britain persistently opposed French military action against Germany and now seeks to draw the Allies into a conflict to force Turkey to respect the treaty. The Journal des Debats. on the contrary. supports Britain’s attitude ana upbraids, its contemporaries, adding: “Let us support the British policy wnen it supports our interests. The Anzacs arc proving they are one with the Mother Country over the question, which affects their honor and civilisation in generaL”

LEADER OF MOHAMMEDANS. SUPPORTS TURKEY’S RIGHTS. “MUST HAVE CONSTANTINOPLE.” Received Sept. 18, 8.30 p.m. London, Sept. 18. The Aga Khan, interviewed, said Constantinople miast belong to the Turks and become the centre of the Turkish Empire and the seat of the Khalifs, with unhampered administration. “Speaking hot only as the leader of the Mohammedans in India, but as a British Imperialist. I see nothing but peril to the Empire in any other solution,” he added. “Indian Mohammedans are puzzled and pained by the | British policy in the Near East, especii ally in Turkey, since the armistice. I They now think a definite settlement : should be made. Mohammedans throughout the world would view with misgiving any solution which left Adrianople outside Turkish dominions. I consider the freedom of the Straits must be safeguarded.”—United Service. The Aga Khan is the leader of the Indian Mohammedan community. He is also a loyal subject and friend of Britain. His influence with Mohammedans is very profound. THE DOMINION TROOPS. FRANCE CRITICISES USE. London, Sept. 18. The Daily Mail’s Paris correspondent says the call to the Dominions is criticised in France, where it is declared that if any danger is present it is a danger which could not be met by Dominion troops, who will be unable to arrive for a couple of months. —United Service. SCENES IN SMYRNA. MANY THOUSANDS HOMELESS. REFUGEES TRAPPED IN FIRE. Received Sept. 18, 5.5 p.m. Athens, Sept. 17. British ships and many small sailing craft are continually arriving, crowded with refugees from Asia Minor. It is estimated that 200,000 are now homeless in Smyrna alone. Greek and Armenian refugees insist that the fires are due to Kemalists using benzine and petrol bombs. They say the scenes in Smyrna beggar description. The bodies of mutilated men, women and children are lying in the streets, and all the churches are ablaze, thousands of refugee? being caught inside. The newspapers state that no French sub jects were molested by the Kemalists. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SMYRNA ISOLATED. BY PLAGUE OUTBREAK. CITY ALMOST FOODLESS. Received Sept. IS, 7.30 p.m. Smyrna, Sept. 15. The plague has broken out, nece»»»tating the severance of all communication between ships and the shore, despite the desperate need of shipping for the removal of refugees from the city, which is almost foodless. Received Sept. IS, 9.5 p.m. Smyrna, Sept. 7. The little available food in the city is reserved for the Turks. The fires are now decreasing in violence. Received Sept. iS, 9.5 p.m. Athens, Sept. 17. Vurla, twenty-five miles from Smyrna, is burning.