TURKS IN THE ZONE.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 October 1922, Page 5

TURKS IN THE ZONE.

GREATER AREA HELD, INFANTRY IN THE LINE. FACING BRITISH TROOPS. WITHDRAWAL DEMAND. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Sept. 30, 5.5 p.m. London. Sept. 29. The Star’s Constantinople correspondent states the Turkish forces in the neutral zone of the Dardanelles are steadily increasing. The majority of Turkish cav- ■ airy have been withdrawn and replaced by infantry. The Turks now occupy the whole zone, except an area 20 miles in length, 10 miles being the maximum depth held by the British.—Reuter Service. Received October 1, 5.5 p.m. London. Sept. 29. It is semi-officially stated in London that Kemalist troops are right up to the British positions in the Chanak area, so near that they are gazing at the wire entanglements, and in some places they are actually on the shore of the Dardanelles. British military authorities are of opinion that the present state of affairs cannot be i allowed to continue. The Government, ! therefore, has informed the authorities that I they will have complete support in demandI '.ng the withdrawal of the Kemalist forces i from the Chanak neutral zone, the question of accompanying the demand with a time Limit being left to General Harington and the Allied High Commissioner. Our relations with Turkey are governed by the armistice of October 30, 1918, and if Turkey breaks this she puts herself in a state of war. Therefore, there is no question of any declaration of war.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PROMISE BY KEMAL. NO FURTHER ADVANCE. WISH TO AVOID INCIDENT. Received Sept. 30, 5.5 p.m. Constantinople, Sept. 29. Replying k to General Harington’s telegram, Kemal declares that his troops will not advance further. He desires no incident to occur, and will seize the earliest opportunity for meeting General Harington. KEMAL’S LATEST ANSWER. WANTS BRITISH TO WITHDRAW 7 . TURKS WILL GO BACK SLIGHTLY. Received Oct. 2, 12.20 a.m. Constantinople, Sept. 30. Replying to General Harington’s second Note, requesting withdrawal from the neutral zone, Kemal Pasha states that if the British are prepared to withdraw from the Asiatic coast, as the French and Italian troops have done, he will order his forces to withdraw slightly and only act in a police capacity. Kemal announces his departure for Angora to meet the National Assembly, but he will meet General xiarington at the earliest possible occasion, FRANCE WILL NOT FIGHT. Received Oct. 2, 12.20 a.m. Paris, Sept. 30. It is authoritatively stated that France will not participate in any Anglo-Turkish conflict. A GREEK REPORT.

SUCCESS IN NEUTRAL ZONE. Received Oct. 1, 5.5 p.m. Athens, Sept. 30. A communique, dated September 29, states: The enemy entered the neutral • zone, occupied Safaalan, killed eleven ! soldiers, and was manning an outpost. We dislodged the enemy by means of a counter-attack. The enemy lost twentysix killed. Our losses were one killed a' suggested solution. REASON'S AGAINST IT. Received Sept. 30, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 29. Ministerial circles do not regard seriously a suggestion by Major-General Sir Frederick Maurice that the Turks should be allowed to pass into Thrace. It is pointed out that this is diametrically opposed to the Allies’ policy not to allow the Turks to enter Europe pending peace.—Reuter Service. CONFERENCE SUGGESTED. PROVISIONAL NEUTRAL ZONE. Constantinople, Sept. 29. In a message to the French General Pelle, Kemal suggested a British withdrawal. General Harington replied suggesting a conference of the local British and Turkish commanders with a view to the establishment of a provisional neutral zone without prejudice to any line that may subsequently be established. LORDS’ DEMAND. SUMMONING OF PARLIAMENT. London, Sept. 29. Lord Denman, writing to the Westminster Gazette, demands the immediate summoning of Parliament to deal with the Near Eastern crisis. He is supported by Lord Crewe, the Hon. Aubrey Herbert, and Lord Lincolnshire. Parliament will normally meet on November 14. FRENCH WAR MATERIAL. DELIVERY HASTENED. Paris, Sept. 29. At the request of M. Poincare the Finance Commission is hastening the delivery of eight millions sterling worth of war material to Poland, Czecho-Slo-vakia, and Roumania. A further augmentation of the credit is being considered. The materia] is not to be used against the Turks; it is intended to protect the three States against possible attacks by Russia and Bulgaria.