TURKS AND THE ALLIES

Evening Star, Issue 18119, 8 November 1922, Page 5

TURKS AND THE ALLIES

A WORD TO THE KEMAUSTS. MUDAHIA DECISIONS MOST STAND. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, CONSTANTINOPLE, Not. 7. The Allies have repl.ed to the Kemalist Note that they_ will observe the strictest neutrality in regard to Turkish internal affairs, hut nothing must be done to modify the Mndania decisions, which the Allies have decided to apply.—A, and N.Z. Cable. ANXIOUS MOMENTS. DEEP TURKISH DESIGNS. CONSTANTINOPLE, Nor. 6. (Received November 8, at 9.5 a.m.) Apart from official circles, there Is much nervousness in the European (|carters. Business men and others aio ready at a moment’s notice to quit the city. The populace continue to make demonstrations, and anyone not wearing a fez is liable to be insulted and roughly handled. . It is obvious that the arrival of Rafct Pasha to take over the Governorship of Thrace is a bluff designed to throw dust in the eyes of the High Commissioners. His true objective is to overthrow the Sultan, to win over the troops at the Sultan’s disposal, and to prepare the wav for complete domination of the city. In this the Angora Government’s supporters have been completely There is no longer any correct distinction between the Governments of Constantinople and Angora.—‘ The Times.’ A communique issued by the Allied High Commissioners states that the forces of occupation will remain at present to ensure law and order. This has had a somewhat reassuring effect. Seven thousand Greek refugees from the villages in the neighborhood of the Allied line embarked under British auspices yesterday. Everybody is endeavoring to convert liras into which is practically unobtainable. It is reported that the Kemalists are imposing a levy on native Christians in the suburbs for the upkeep of the Turkish forces.—Reuter. ALLIES UNITED. TURKISH DEMANDS DECLINED. CONSTANTINOPLE, Nov. 6. (Received November 8, at 11.25 ami.) Some of Angora’s military demands which were refused by the High Commissioners are officially regarded as mere feelers, while of the latest actions of the Angora Government, such as the increased tariff and the new passport regulations, are the logical sequence of Angora’s assumption of authority. The attempted suppression of the "mixed court, however, is regarded most seriously. How far Angora intends to pursue the policy taken up will probably be seen in the course of twenty-four hours, following the High Commissioners’ prompt refusal of the military demands. It *s officially stated that complete unanimity exists, and that the Allied High Commissioners and tile Allied Governments are co-operating firmly in resisting all demands and actions which infringe the Mndania Convention.—A. and N.Z. Cable. HEAVY TARIFF IMPOST. CONSTANTINOPLE. Nov. 7. Affairs are regarded as approaching a catastrophe. The Customs _ has begun an application for the tariff which has been collected in the Kemalist regions, and which amount to fivefold the wartime tariff. Many Turks are taking refuge in the embassies, and are appealing for protection. The better class of Greeks and Armenians are leaving the city. The daily exodus will become uncontrollable when the time comes to withdraw the Allied troops.—A. and N.Z. Cable. NATIONALISTS’ AIMS. CONSTANTINOPLE, Nov. 5. The National Assembly at Angora has instructed Ismet Pasha to secure /■ acceptance by the Lausanne Conference : (1) That the frontiers of Turkey shall be in accordance with the national pact. (2) The payment of an indemnity by Greece’. (3) The suppression of the capitulations. (4) Modification of the frontiers of Irak. (6) The complete independence of Turkey financially, economically, and politically.—Reuter. STRONG FORCE IN THRACE. LONDON, November 7. The ! Daily Chronicle ’ states that the Kemalists have exceeded the force of 8,000 gendarmerie permitted in Thrace by the Mundania agreement to an extent sufficient to form cadres for a new Turkish army in Europe. The Bosphorus and Chanak neutralities have been freshly violated. The ‘ Chronicle ’ points out that the Kemalists anticipated to their own advantage the decisions of the Lausanne Conference. They intend to go to the conference with a fall accompli.—A, and N.Z. Cable. TOWN OP GALLIPOLI. LONDON, November 7. The ‘ Morning Post’s ’ Paris correspondent reports that the Kemalists have seized Gallipoli Town.—A. and N.Z. Cable. CONTROL OF THE STRAITS. CONSTANTINOPLE, Nov. 5. The Angora representative handed the Allied High Commissioner a second Note, saying that the warshijps of all nationalities must ask authorisation to pass through the Straits, and they must salute the new Government in port. A further Note Remands that the State shall take over the railways.— Reuter. LONDON, November 6. The ‘ Daily Chronicle ’ says that the Kemalists have demanded the immediate closing of the Dardanelles to all foreign warships.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE SULTAN. LONDON, November 6. There is no further news regarding the abdication of the Sultan, but it is believed that the British authorities are taking measures to protect him and the heir to the Throne.—-Renter. CONSTANTINOPLE: EVACUATION DEMAND, PARIS, November 6. The Foreign Office has not received confirmation of the Kemalist demand for the evacuation of Constantinople.— A. and N.Z. Cable. MR DONOHUE PESSIMISTIC. LONDON, November 7. Mr Martin Donohue has returned from Constantinople. He predicts in the 1 Daily Chronicle ’ an early debacle in Constantinople. He says; “ The Angora National Pact aims at the complete regeneration of the Turkish Empire. The venal, corrupt, time-serving treaties and agreements are merely scraps of paper. Great Britain must answer in the next few days whether she is a beaten nation, incapable and unwilling to defend her menaced national honor and the Urea of British subject# in Turkey. Perhaps blood will have to be ghed to teach the arrogant Kemalists that If they push teo far. W* ntight opt to hesitate to jettison

entangling alliances with _ questionable friendships in order to avoid the bitterness of tasting national dishonor. The Kemalists may answer the Allied refusal to evacuate Constantinople by proceeding to extremes. The British force at Constantinople and on the other side of the Bosphorus could not stem a. vigorous Kemalist offensive. The only alternative Is withdrawal or the surrender of Constantinople without fighting.” Mr Donohue declares that thousands of British subjects in Turkey are in dire danger, and lie asks if they w.ll be abandoned and left to be ruthlessly slaughtered.—A. and N.Z. Cable. GREECE’S LATEST MOVE. LINKING UP WITH LITTLE ENTENTE. BELGRADE, November 6. (Received November 8, at 9.30 a.m.) M. Politis, the Greek Foreign Minister, has concluded important conversations with M. Pashitoh and M. Nikivitch with the object of Greece entering the Little Entente, Greece wishes to secure a Qrreco-Jugo-Slav commercial treaty; also the conclusion.of an Entente in accordance with the new situation arising out of the _ Mndania agreement and the new Italian situation.—A. and N.Z. Cable. RUSSIA’S POSITION. HELSINGFORS, November 6. M. Tchitoherin informed the All Russia. Executive, that the question of the de jure recognition of the Soviet will .be raised at Lausanne by the Powers interested in. the Russian market. The Soviet appears ready to accept the Powers’' conditions, provided that they do not infringe Russia’s sovereignty and do not interfere with her economic regime.—A. and N.Z. Cable.