TURKS TALK FIGHT

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 January 1923, Page 5

TURKS TALK FIGHT

KEMAL’S THEATRICALISM. DRAMATIC OATH TAKING. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

CONSTANTINOPLE, January 29. Praying at his mother’s grave, on the eve of his departure from Smyrna for Angora, in the presence of a great crowd, General Kemal Pasha swore, by his mother’s soul, to defend his country’s newly-won liberties. He prayed:—“l would rather join you in the grave than allow Turkey’s sovereignty to be imperilled.” Some Turks locally deplore such incidents, which are usually a prelude to warlike operations, but the Anatolians declare that they will not wait longer, and will refuse further parleys. This may be bluff, but the Turkish National Assembly according to reliable sources, professes a determination to take the matter from the delegates at Lausanne. Turkish preparations on the Mosul border continue. The Turks are spreading reports that millions of Egyptians, Indians and Afghans are ready to fight England. Kemal surprised everybody by being married at Smyrna to-day to the daughter of a loading local notable. FRENCH PEACE EFFORTS.

LONDON, January 30. The “Morning Post’s” Paris correspondernt states: At Lausanne, French efforts are being directed to bring about a suspension lather than an abrupt breaking-off of the conference. If they are not successful, the situation in Turkey may be most dangerous. “Lc Temps” states:—The Keinalists will beat a great disadvantage if they resume hostilities, as the British Fleet holds the Dardanelles and the Sea of Marmora.

AV AY TO BARGAINING. LAUSANNE, January 30. Interviewed after perusing the draft treaty, a leading Turkish delegate expressed surprise at some of the contents, especially the ’ financial clauses, in which he said that new elements, not disclosed to the Commission, had been introduced. It appeared that the Allies intended to open a way to bargaining. The draft treaty would be communicated to Anzac, but acceptance in the present form he regarded as quite impossible. IRAK’S ATTITUDE. LAUSANNE, January 30. Kiiig Fcisul has addressed a Note to the Conference vigorously protesting against the Turkish claim to Mosul, saying that Mosul was undoubtedly an integral part of Irak. LONDON, January 30. It is authoritatively stated that the action of the Government in submitting the Mosul question to the League of Nations has been considered and fully approved by King Feisul and the Government of Irak.

IF WAR COAIES. DIFFICULTIES FOR TURKS. LONDON, January 30. The “Daily Mail’s” Lausanne correspondent says Should the Turks try to regain Mosul, the offensive could not start for several weeks, as the mountain passes are blocked by snow. They have about 13,000 rifles and 7000 auxiliaries concentrated in the Diarbekir area, but no aircraft capable of combating ours. If war comes early an attempt would probably be made to drive out the Aides from Constantinople. Hie Turks have about 50,000 men in the area around Ismid and Broussa, and there is only one road available to bring them to the Bosphorus, where almost the whole Atlantic and Mediterranean fleets arc concentrated, making it extremely difficult to cross. The Turks have illegally formed an army of 30,00- in Eastern Thrace threatening Constantinople from the rear. Ihe Greeks have about 60,000 on the Alaritza line. LONDON, January 30. The “Times’s” Paris correspondent says: “It is understood that after hearing Lord Balfour’s statement to-morrow, the Council of the League of Nations will invite Turkey to become a temporary mem-, her of the League, and send delegates to* the League to discuss the matters in dis-; t pute. KEMAL’S YOUNG BRIDE. LONDON, January 30. The “Alail’s” correspondent at Constantinople says: Kemal sprang a surprise on the Turks by getting married. He delayed his hurried return to Angora- sufficiently to enter the bonds of matrimony with Latife Hainim, aged 19, daughter of a wealthy Smyrna notable. The bride is good looking and was educated in I' rance. Her dowry amounts to £130,000. Kemal met her recently while residing in her father’s house, after driving the Greeks out of Smyrna. xi'niw