TURKS IN GALLIPOLI

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 25, 30 January 1923, Page 8

TURKS IN GALLIPOLI

COULD DO LITTLE HARM

ii ANZACS SHALL SLEEP IN . PEACE.'.'. (AUSTRALIAN - NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (UNITED PKBSS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.)

(Received 30th Janaury, 2 p.m.)

LONDON, 29th January,

Colonel Hughes, in a message from Chanak, declares that the Kemalists ars supposed to have a plan for the overthrow of the British within a-few hours. They have large numbers of men available at Constantinople, but could cause very little military damage to the British, and would suffer severely themselves. Our forces could always get ai^ay with the greatest ease, concentrate at Kelia, and hold Chanak and Kelia till the moment for an offensive arrived.

Colonel Hughes does not think them is much likelihoodi of the Kemalists .putting their plan into operation, but there is not the slightest doubt that after tho British do leave Constantinople there? will be many acts of vengeance, but theTurks will quarrel amongst themselves for the plums of office? Furthemore,, owing to the mobilisation of forces, no. ploughing is in progress, and the country faces famine. Thrace and Anatolia have not a tenth of the area in cultivation compared with a year ago, and probably Turkey will appeal to Britain, as the greatest Mohammedan Power,, to feed her. The graves work is proceeding, though deiayedi by bad weather and the loss of all the Greek and Armenian workmen, who fled upon the arrival of the Turkish police.' Their places have been taken by Russians and local Turks, who are giving no trouble. They understand that a most firm stand will, be made by the old Anzacs connected! with the cemeteries in the event / of! trouble, and that the Anzacs are dtererlmined that their old comrades shall sleep in peace at Gallipoli.