“STILL ANXIOUS."

Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1922, Page 5

“STILL ANXIOUS."

NOT OUT OF DANGER. POSITION STILL SERIOUS. PREMIER’S GRAVE VIEW. (By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. The Prime Minister announced in the House to-dfty that there was still a danger of the Empire becoming involved in war as a result of the crisis in the Near East. “I regret to have to state,” he said, “that the position is not so satisfactory or re assuring as it was yesterday. We are not yet out of danger, nor are we likely to be out of danger of war for another week or ten days. lam speaking from information which has been supplied to me, and I am giving the gist of it without giving away anything that is confidential. The result depends on Kemal and those associated with him. If they agree to the conference which has been suggested, and at which the European Allies of Britain are intended to be represented, probably a satisfactory arrangement may be made, and all will be well; but if Kemal insists—this is a possibility, though I do not wish to exaggerate the danger—if Kemal in the flush of victory insists on marching his troops into the neutral zone defined by the Treaty of SeVres, then trouble will arise, trouble such as we should like to avoid, but trouble which will have to be met by the citizens of the British Empire and by the Allies. . “I do not think I would be justified in leading the House or the country to believe that we are out of trouble, because so far as I am able to. judge we are not yet out.” A Labor member: Then our cables arc not to be relied upon? Mr. Massey: I don’t say that. Probably what I am saying to you now will appear in the evening papers. I have put the position before the people without exaggeration. It is for them to judge. A member: That means we will have to be ready? Mr. 'Macirey: I don’t think I will say that. lam not a scaremonger. If I did not think it necessary to say what I have said I should not have said it. The situation is still anxious. Speaking again before the House adjourned, the Premier said he had nothing new to add. He would watch the position very closely during the next two or three days. He hoped there would be an improvement before the House met again, but if not it Would be necessary for the Government to act. “Satisfactory as possible.” ALLIES ANXIOUS FOR PEACE. MILITARY PLANS PROCEED. DEFENDING VITAL POINTS. Received Sept. 23, 12.15 a.m. London, Sept. 22. The opinion in diplomatic circles of England and France is that the Near Eastern situation continues as satisfactory as possible. Both England and France are anxious for peace, and are agreed upon the main points of their policy, but while France desires diplomacy without a display of military force, the British Government believes that diplomacy unsupported by evidence of military and naval power will be valueless. Neither considers the need for military action has yet arisen. The Conimander-in-Chief of the Allies in Constantinople continues to receive reinforcements. The British activities also include the difficult problem of safeguarding, housing and feeding refugees. French opinion is disappointed at the announcement that Britain will not evacuate Chanak, and some surprise is expressed, as it was understood Britain was open to argument on this matter, but Lord Curzon’s instructions were apparently definite. Messages from Constantinople indicate that the Paris hopes and fears do not deter the Allies from making satisfactory dispositions for the defence of their agreed attitude. Entrenched British troops are defending Chanak and the entrance to the Bosphorus, from which the French and Italians have withdrawn . recently. in order to strengthen the Gallipoli garrison, and British destroyers are lying off Constantinople. The General Commanding declares the British line can hold any attack. Kemal could use the railway on the Tsmid Peninsula for a direct drive to the capital, and therefore British infantry and the Air Force, supported by the Allied fleet, are holding a strong line on the Peninsula. Allied troops are with ours which has better moral effect than the new dispositions at the Dardanelles. In Constantinople itself risings and disturbanaces will be suppressed by machine-guns, which no undisciplined Turkish mob can withstand for long. Reinforcements have already arrived, and more infantry, cavalry, tanks, aircraft, submarines and cruisers from the Atlantic fleet are en route. Refugee Russians declare their conviction that Kemal is plotting with the Russians for military support. Local Turks addressed the Sultan and the Sheik U 1 Islam, demanding the annulment of the capital sentence passed on Kemal two and a half years ago. which is declared necessary to preserve 4he prestige of the Sheik U 1 Islam in the Moslem World. A highly placed Paris politician and personage states the French Cabinet is ready to respond to the British Cabinet’s appeal, and will do their utmost to influence Kemal Pasha to satisfy the British, but the only hope of such success is to assure the Angora Government that its claims will be largely satisfied. Military circles declare the British Cabinet is aware that if the Turks wish to seize the Dardanelles the twelve to fifteen thousand British at Chanak could not prevent them, or prevent the Turks moving against Bigha. It is also declared that ■ the British fleet would not dare remain i in the Straits or the Black Sea, for fear of being bottled up. The Turks possess mobile artillery, which could cause much trouble to the British fleet.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.