WAR IN ASIA MINOR

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 302, 15 September 1921, Page 5

WAR IN ASIA MINOR

GREEKS AND TURKS EXHAUSTED

POSITION PRACTICALLY A DEADLOCK By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, September 13. The Foreign Office, in a survey of the position in Asia Minor, says that both tlie Greeks and the Turks are exhausted, and unable to advance. The Turks have depended, mainly for their supplies of arms and gold from the Bolsheviks, who, in spite of their asking the Allies for forty millions sterling, seem to have plenty of money for propaganda, and have sent large quantities of ammunition, which enables the Turks to continue their resistance. On the other hand, the Greeks are handicapped because of Britain’s embargo on munitions going to either side. Britain is not prepared to mediate until both countries are ready to accept, its previous offers of mediation having been refused. Tho Foreign Offieft statement describes tho position in Asia Minor, as obscure and unsatisfactory. Britain has to rely on the communiques of both sides pending their verification. Tho position is now ’ practically a deadlock, and neither side can progress. Discussing the progress of th© warfare, th© Foreign Office points out that after the Greeks had. made a succession of strong attacks, the Turks entrenched along the line of the Sakaria River and occupied practically > impregnable positions in the mountains overlooking tho winding river. In somo places they were entrenched three thousand feet above the river level. The Greeks advanced a considerable distance over the river, but their progress towards Angora was held up. The Turks, at the end of July, fearing that Angora was about to be captured, prepared to move their seat of Government to Kaisarieh, but they stopped the operations at the last moment.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable, Assn. , TURKS ATTACK IN STRENGTH ; BUT ARE REPULSED. • (Rec. September 14, 8 p.m.) Athens, September 12. A communiquo states:—The enemy attacked our centre and left in great strength, but was repulsed.—Reuter.