CHOICE FOR TURKS

Taranaki Daily News, 2 October 1922, Page 5

CHOICE FOR TURKS

WITHDRAW OR WAR. SAFETY LIMITS PASSED. KEMAL’S DEFIANT TONE. OUTLOOK MORE GRAVE. NEAR BREAKING POINT. By Telegraph.—Press As?n.—Copyright. Received Sept. 30, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 29. Cabinet this morning further considered the Near East situation, which is still regarded as grave.—Reuter Service. Received Oct. 2, 12.20 a.m. London, Oct. 1. If the declarations in the Observer and the Sunday Times, especially the latter—which is in elose touch with the Prime Minister—are taken at their face value, the Near East tension has about reached breaking point. For example, the Sunday Times diplomatic article says Kemal's reply is arrogant, defiant and provocative, and justifies the British Government’s decision t.< bring the controversy to a head. Our rulers desire to be tolerant, patient and forbearing, but a time comes when the British Lion must object to its tail being twisted. Similarly, the C server states the limit of patience on the British side has been reached. The concentration of the Turkish forces has passed the limits of safety, and the choice before Kemal is withdrawal or war.

Such statements are obviously inspired. It is asserted they are not mere warnings to Kemal that Britain must no longer be trifled with, but that they represent Cabinet’s view of the gravity of the situation.

French opinion declines to believe the position is so desperate. Marshal Foch’s name has again been invoked in support of the contention that the Asiatic shore is only tenable against the Turks by tremendous forces. Sueh announcements lend further gravity to the position. Meanwhile actual reports from Chanak are disquieting. Mr. G. “Ward. Price, the correspondent, telegraphs that seaplanes detected movements of Turkish infantry towards Chanak. There are no signs of guns, but they may be moving up under cover of darkness. The Turks are outwardly friendly, but they may be masking hostile intentions.—United Service.

LATER MESSAGES. POSITION EXTREMELY GRAVE. ATTITUDE OF FRANCE. AN AWKWARD SITUATION. Received Oct. 2, 12.30 a.m. London, Oct. 1. After sitting yesterday afternoon and awaiting the dispatch from General Herington which had not arrived. Cabinet sat two hours, until half-past midnight, and resumed at 10 this morning. No statement has been made, but the position is regarded as extremely grave, as the Turks show no disposition to withdraw from the neutral zone near Chanak. France is anxious to avert a clash between the British and Turks. She believes that M. Bouillon’s dispatch will help to relieve the tension. Though official opinion in France is optimistic, the French Press semi-officially upbraid the British Government for not withdrawing their troops from Chanak. France is afraid that if war breaks out Britain will withdraw her troops from Cologne, on the ground that she cannot aid France to enforce peace on Germany, as France is withdrawing troops from Chanak and refused aid in enforcing peace on Turkey. Hie Daily Express’ Constantinople correspondent reports that Turkish authorities state General Harington is proceeding to Mudania to confer with Kemal. PRESSURE ON KEMAL. TO REPLY TO NOTE. FRENCH GETTING ANXIOUS. Received Oct. 2, 12.30 a.m. Paris, Sept. 30. M. Poincare (Premier) has telegraph?d to M. Bouillon, insisting on Kemal replying ■without delay to the Allied Note. M. Bouillon met Kemal at Smyrna, and had a long conversation with him. He is proceeding to Angora with Kemal.

CAN CHANAK BE HELD? FRENCH EXPERTS SAY “NO.” ANOTHER LINE FAVORED. Received Oct. 2, 12.20 a.m. Paris, Oct. 1.. The Petit Parisien states French military expert?, including Marshal Foch, regard the Chanak position as incapable of being held. They favor the natural protection which the Chataldia line offers. The paper is of opinion that, the •wily remedy will be for both the British and Turks to evacuate the neutral zone.