FEARS OF A CLASH.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1922, Page 5

FEARS OF A CLASH.

SUSPICIONS OF KEMAL. CONSTANTINOPLE’S PERIL. DANGER OF A RISING. DEFENCE DIFFICULT, By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Sept. 29, 55 p.m. London, Sept. 28. Political circles in London consider there is little doubt that Kemal’s invasions indicate he is trying to provoke a clash at Chanak. Instructions have been sent to General Harington to exercise the greatest patience and do everything possible ,to avoid incidents. There is danger of a rising in Constantinople itself, where the Turks possess stores of arms and ammunition. The capital is not regarded as suitable for defence, and it is considered probable that in the event of an attack the Allies would evacuate it and concentrate at Chanak and Gallipoli in order to defend the Straits.—Aus.-N.Z. Gable

A GLOOMIER VIEW. THE FEELING IN LONDON. CONCENTRATION REPORTED. London, Sept. 28. A gloomier view is taken in official quarters of the Near Eastern situation, consequent on Kemal’s communication to General Harington yesterday, in which he refused to recognise the existence of the neutral zone, and even complaind that Greek aeroplanes were flying over the alleged neutral zone, and that the British artillery had been used against the Turks. It is regarded, however, as characteristic that the Turks should commence negotiations by false allegations and bluff of this nature. It is reported that the Turks are concentrating outside Ismid (opposite Constantinople). GUNS ON GALLIPOLI. ESTIMATE OF KEMAL’S FORCE. London Sept. 28. Mr. Ward Price writes that British gun« from Malta are now mounted on the Gallipoli peninsula. The latest estimates of Kemal’s strength are between 60.000 and 100,000 bayonets, organised in seven army corps. It is believed he has <3O aeroplanes. TURKS IN THE ZONE. NO TIME LIMIT GIVEN. PATIENCE OF ALLIED GENERAL. London, Sept. 28. I Mr. Ward Price says that owing to th? I fact that it would take Kemal 48 hours ! to convey orders to Chanak it has been decided not to give a time limit for the evacuation of the neutral zone. General Harington told Mr. Price that he was determined not to take any aggressive action till it was clear beyond possible doubt that the troops were intended as a screen behind which guns were being brought up to attack Chanak and threaten the safety of the Straits. INFLUENCE OF GREECE. POSITION NOT CHANGED. Paris, Sept. 28. A semi-official message states that the Greek revolution will not change the Allies’ policy as regards Turkey, -but warns the latter not to prejudice the position by military measures on the European shore of the Straits, thereby possibly committing a tactical erior which would strongly affect the present negotiations. NOTES FROM CONSTANTINOPLE. London, Sept. 28. The Constantinople correspondent of the Daily Telegraph states that there is no information of any considerable concentration of Kemaiist forces opposite the neutral zone. The British view is that the Nationalist statements about eight divisions at Ismid are* untrue. There is a report from a good source that the Bolsheviks concentrated five divisions in the Caucasus and it is inferred that they purpose exerting pressure on the Turks to act in accordance with Russian wishes. The Allies have ordered the Greek warskip Averoff to leave the Bosphorus and have similarly forbidden the Greek transports with troops at Rorosto to pass the Straits. Equal treatment is thtte meted out to the Greeks and Turks. Ten British destroyers are now anchored in the Bosphorus. jlgo-slavia anxious. Bedgrade. Sept. 28. It is authoritatively stated that Jugoslavia will not send an expedition to Turkey unless Hungary and Bulgaria disarm their frontiers. London. Sept. 28. The Government is urgently endeavouring to persuade Kemal to postpone the date after which Greeks and Armenians will not be allowed to leave Smyrna to September 30, fearing for the fate of the surplus of 200,000 who will be unable to escape before the 30th. Britain has chartered 15 ships to take off the refugees and is faced with the problem how to feed and where to despatch them. The American Admiral Bristol is closely co-oper-ating. THE SULTAN. ABDICATION REPORTED. Received Sept. 29, 5.5 p.m. Delhi, Sept. 28. It is reported the Sultan has abdicated in favor of the heir apparent. —Reuter