The Balkan Menace

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 233, 14 September 1922, Page 5

The Balkan Menace

ALLIED WARSHIPS ALERT. PATROLLING THE STRAITS. TURKO-BULGARIAN ALLIANCE PREDICTED. [By Cable.-Presa Association.—Copyrignt.] (Received 14. 12.45 p.m.) London, Sept. 13. Advices from Smyrna indicate that all is fairly quiet. British sailors guard the consulate. Allied troops, with Mustapha’s concurrence, assist in maintaining order. Well-informed circles in London manifest anxiety regarding the likelihood of an attempt to reach Thrace. Allied vessels at the Dardanelles and the Sea of Marmora are ready to frustrate such an effort. Serbian circles confidently prediA a Turco-Bulgarian alliance against other Balkans. Mustapha has not replied to the Allied warning against action in areas within their control in Thrace. —(A. and N.Z.) FREEDOM OF THE STRAITS. FRANCE IN ACCORD WITH BRITAIN. (Received 14, 1.15 p.m.) London, Sept. 13. France has officially signified her agreement with Britain on the subject of freedom of the Straits and expressed readiness to discuss any settlement providing legitimate Turkish aspirations were safeguarded.—(Reuter.) CREEK FLIGHT FROM SMYRNA. WHOLK POPULATION PANICSTRICKEN. GRAPHIC STORY UY WARD PRICE (Received 14. 1.15 p.m.) London, Sept. 13. Mr. Ward Price, in the “Daily Mail,” gives a graphic story .of the Greeks’ panicky flight from Smyrna on the approach of the Turks. He says that remnants of “Tino’s” army have now been shipped to Chios, whence they are returning to Athens for demobilisation. Steaming up the Gulf of Smyrna he had abundant evidence of the Greeks’ terrorised flight. The whole population, civil and military, were trying to get away. Steaming down the gulf was a succession of Greek transports and shabby steamships of all sizes, which were hastily requisitioned. Greek soldiers were clustering on them like swarms of bees. Little sailing boats laboured along heavily laden with refugees. Coastal steamers were packed .with civilians and were towing more civilians in lighters. Along the shore road, on the south side of the gulf, the Greek army—infantry, caval rv and motor transport—were streaming westward towards Cheshol, whence they were ferried across to Chios. A confused khaki coluiqn stretched fot miles. Smyrna itself was in great confusion. The quays were densely packed with Greeks alternately weeping and' shouting in panic, and offering high prices for places m boats. The advance guard of Turks entered without opposition.—(United Service).