CANADA WAITS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1922, Page 5

CANADA WAITS.

MORE DETAILS WANTED. PARLIAMENT TO DECIDE. IF HELP IMPERATIVE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Sept. 19, 10.55 p.m. Ottawa, Sept. 19. While Government organisations are volunteering their services, the Cabinet Council ended the day’s session without, an announcement of any kind and resumed the sittings to-night, which have not yet ended. The French Press in Quebec frankly places itself in direct opposition to any ; movement to send troops to the Near I East. The papers point out that Canada iis in no way affected by the Turkish situ- : ation, and as a self-governing nation of the | British Empire should not consent to par- | ticipating in a strictly European conflict. The Premier (Mr. Mackenzie King), following upon the evening session of the Cabinet Council, announced that he had asked the British Government for a more definite statement as to what is expected of Canada. He refused to divulge what the original communication from Britain to Canada contained, since it was marked secret. He expressed astonishment at the manner in which official newspaper despatches sent from London on Saturday outlined what Britain had asked of its Dominions. He pointed out that it later developed that these dispatches did not convey an impression in conformity -with that given in the official communication from Britain to the Canadian Government.

The situation, according to a conversation with the King, appears to be as follows: If further word from Britain and from two members of the Canadian Cabinet who are attending the League of Nations with the High Commissioner in London seems to warrant sending a Canadian contingent! to Asia Minor Mr. King will call a special session of Parliament to authorise the step. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received Sept. 19. 10.55 p.m. Vancouver, Sept. 18.

The commandants of the Vancouver militia telegraphed to Ottawa offering two battalions. Naval reservists have received orders from London to hold themselves in readiness. GUARDING THE STRAITS. BRITISH FORCE READY. London, Sept. 18. Mr. Ward Price, cabling from C-hanak, says: “Here on the’ edge of the plain a little British force, with a small Allied detachment, is preparing to give an account of itself if the Kemalist army infringes the neutral zone on. the southern shore of the Dardanelles. “It is hardly believable that Kemal will allow them to commit that folly. The British position is one of considerable natural strength, and can be supported by naval help from the Straits. “To-day the Hussars are moving out to the frontier of the neutral zone, whence the nearest Turks are 50 miles distant. It is reported that the Turks have closed the frontier against us. “Smyrna is blazing as violently as ever. The Turkish army took no serious part in the massacre, etc., which was almost entirely the work of the lowest classes. The consulates, cathedrals, hotels, clubs and principal shops have been burned down. It is estimated that stocks worth four million sterling were burned during the first 24 hours. The trading centre of Smyrna has been ruined for decades. Many British fortunes have been lost.” CAN SEND LARGE FORCE. SPLENDID RESPONSE BY MEN. ALL PLANS READY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Speaking in the House this afternoon, the Minister of Defence (Sir R. Heaton Rhodes) said in Wellington alone there were already 1621 applications for enlistment, though none had been asked for. Many prominent, officers, including General Sir Andrew Russell and General Sir A. W. Robin, had also offered their services. New Zealand was in a position to send a very large contingent at short notice. Their plans were laid and there would now be no delay, because there was plenty of equipment available, which was not the case when the Great War broke out.