RUSSIA'S THREAT.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1922, Page 5

RUSSIA'S THREAT.

attack on roumania. SMALL INCIDENT REVIVED. SOME ALARM CAUSED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Sept. 24, 5.5 p.m. Bucharest, Sept. 22. Four months ago two Russian aviators flew over Bessarabia, dropping pamphlets. They crashed and were imprisoned. The Soviet did not think of them till to-day, when it officially demanded their immediate release, alleging that their imprisonment was a breach of the pact Of non-aggression concluded at Genoa, and stating that Russia regarded this as a reason for an attack on Roumania. Political circles are very disturbed, regarding this demand as a sign that Russia intends, with Kemal, to attack Europe.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. •SUSPICIOUS OF RUSSIA. FEELING IN ITALY. CONFERENCE WELCOMED. Received Sept. 24, 5.5 p.m. Rome, Sept. 22. The Press is satisfy d with the Paris decision to convene a conference without delay to settle the Near Eastern question, but the papers are not unanimously confident of success. The Messagero fears that a TurcoPussian agreement may cause surprise at any moment and doubts the peaceful intentions of the Moscow Administration, whom it charges with the responsibility for the boldness of the Turkish demands. The Messagero expects the British will soon *be compelled to withdraw their troops to the European side of the Dardanelles, from which it would be easier to defend the Straits if attacked. Thousands of Italian refugees from •Smyrna are camping at Taranto and Brindisi, but as the situation in Smyrna is now normal it is probable arrangements will soon be made to return those still having homes and businesses there. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RUSSIA’S VIEWS. INTERFERENCE OPPOSED. Received Sept. 25, 12.45 a.m. London, Sept. 23. A Soviet Note to Britain claims that the control of the Black Sea concerns only the States adjoining it. Russia cannot consent to opening the Straits to warships of any country, and recognises only the Moscow treaty with the Turks.—Times Service. BULGARIA’S PROPOSALS. Received Sept. 24, 5.5 p.m. Sofia, September 22. M. Stamboliski suggests that Eastern and Western Thrace should be an autonomous State under the League of Nations, thus guaranteeing Bulgaria access to the Aegean, permitting a special arrangement for Adrianople, avoiding a common froi tier between Turkey and Bulgaria, and ensuring the neutrality of the Dardanelles Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. REPORTED ADVANCE. AN UNCONFIRMED MESSAGE. Received Sept. 23, 5.5 p.m. Constantinople, Sept. 22. It is reported the Kemalists have seized Ezine, on the eastern aide of the Dardanelles, and are threatening Kumkale, an important key to the position of the Dardanelles. It is also reported the Kemalists are bringing up big -Skoda batteries, while British aeroplanes are flying over the Nationalist lines. —Reuter Service. WIRELESS TO KEMAL FRENCH PLEA TO WAIT. Received Sept. 25, 12.45 a.m. Constantinople, -Sept. 24. The French commander has informed the British authorities that he is assured of the maintenance of order over Stainboul in the event of trouble. The French Government has wirelessed Mustapha Kemal requesting him to take no action until the arrival of its special emissary. REQUEST FROM FRANCE. TO AVOID INCIDENTS. Received Sept. 24, 11.5 p.m. Paris, Sept 23. The Foreign Office confirms M. Bouillon’s departure from Smyrna, and will semi-officially ask Kemal to avoid incidents in the neutral zones; also to state the possible conditions of peace. Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. CANADA’S POLICY. CRITICISM OF THE DELAY. Received Sept. 24, 11.5 p.mOttawa, Sept. 23. The (Mr. Arthur Meighan), in a speech at Toronto, assailed the Government’s delay in replying to Britain’s request for a statement of policy regarding the Near East, and contrasting with it the prompt response of New Zealand and Australia. Mr. Meighan declared the policy of delay might drag Canada into war. He pointed out that Canada was a party to the Sevres Treaty, and he asserted that what England wanted was declarations by the Dominions of Empire solidarity to meet the crisis. He would back the King GoVierninent in rushing a message of loyal co-operation, as Australia and New Zealand had done. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. VENIZELOS WANTED BACK. Athens, Sept. 21. Political leaders stress the fact that if the Powers induce M. Venizelos to abandon the opposition to the National Government and to forbid his wealthy supporters further to undermine Greek stability, he could immediately resume his place in the nation. Had Britain thus persuaded Venizelos a month ago the debacle of the last three weeks would nsvar kava