FEAR OF SLASH.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 November 1922, Page 5

FEAR OF SLASH.

GREAT TENSION EXISTS. FRANCE FAVORS FORCE. tfHAOS SPREADING. By Telegraph,—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 9, 7.50 p.m. Constantinople. Nov. 8. The greatest tension prevails in the city, and a clash seems inevitable if the British forces guarding Galata bridge continue to prevent the Turks traversing the Grand Rue. Concealed machine guns are posted at the end of the bridge and the houses overlooking it. The guard has been strengthened by motor -ears armed with machine guns. * Ismet Pasha held a conference with the Allied High Commissioners, and then left for Angora, where he will report to his Government on the crisis. The Bourse is closed. The Turkish exchange is depreciating hourly, and merchants are cancelling orders. The new Customs’ tariff has disorganised trade. The new Government is in a deplorable state financially and cannot pay its officials regularly. Dr. Nansen has asked Angora to negotiate for the exchange of Turkish nationals with Greece, but the Kemalists expect the negotiations will prove abortive, owing to Greek opposition to the evacuation of Constantinople by 400,000 Greeks, collectively possessing enormous wealth. If the Greeks go, other foreigners must follow, which woul 1 ruin the city's commerce. The Grand Vizier has sent a final appeal for reconciliation between the Porte and Angora. TONE OF FRENCH PRESS. USE OF FORCE ADVOCATED. THE SOVIET FACTOR. Received Nov. 9, 7.45 p.m, Paris, Nov. 8. The Press is now almost unanimous that the Allies must use force if necessary to make the Turks respect them. There is a general demand for sending reinforcements. The cruiser Waldeck Rousseau has gone to Constantinople. Le Temps says: We are confronted with the possibility of war between the Turks and the Allies, the former relying on the Soviets, which will become the arbiter between Asia and Europe. NEW KEM AUST DEMANDS. BIG INDEMNITY FROM GREECE. Received Nov. 9, 9.10 p.m. Paris, Nov. 8. The Kemalists have demanded, in addition to the abolition of capitulations, a plebiscite in West Thrace for the return of Mosul, the complete independence of Turkey, and an indemnity of £240,000,000 sterling from Greece.— Times Service. A DANGEROUS SITUATION. BLUNDER MAY CAUSE UPHEAVAL. Received November 9, 7.45 p.m. London, Nov. 8. Mr. J. H. Thomas, (a prominent Labor M.P.) speaking at Derby, said the Kemalist leaders would make a profound mistake if they attempted to take advantage of Britain’s preoccupation in the election. Labor stood definitely for peace. leaving the House of Commons to decide on committing the country to war. Mr. H. H. Asquith (Leader of the Liberal Party), speaking at Paisley, said fihe issues involved were very serious and the situation in the Near East was far too grave to be subordinated to party dissensions. It was considered, in the judgment of the Liberal Party, that it was of the utmost importance that unity of purpose, policy, action and front should be maintained between the Great Powers. We were faced with a dangerous and difficult problem and any want of tact or blunder of judgment might precipitate a catastrophe.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.