LATE NEWS THE WAR CRISIS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 237, 19 September 1922, Page 5

LATE NEWS THE WAR CRISIS

Military Preparations BRITISH FORCES AT CHANAK. TURKS FIFTY MILES DISTANT. LBy Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.] (Received 19, 12.40 p.m.) Lowaon, Sept. 18. Mr. Ward Price, cabling from Chanak, says: Here, on the edge of the plain a little British force, with a small A'lied detachment, is Preparing to give an account of itself if the Kemalist army infringes the neutral zone on the southern shore of the Dardanelles. It is hardly believable \Kemal will allow them to commit that folly. The British posi- \ tion is one of considerable natural strength, and can be supported by naval help from the Straits. To-day Hussars are moving out to the frontier of the neutral zone, whence the nearest Turks are fifty miles distant. It is reported that the Turks have closed the frontier against us.— (United Service). POSITION CAPABLE OF SOLUTION. SEEKING A WAY TO AVERT AVAR. (Received 19, 1.5 p.m.) London, Sept. 18. Cabinet’s wholly unexpected manifesto, especially the appeal to the Dominions to protect Gallipoli’s haL lowed soil, fairly took the British public’s breath away. The appeal to the Dominions to come to the assistance of Britain—for that is how the public mind interprets it—has lent a serious aspect to Saturday’s statement. Australian responses have been starred in <omo papers, but others question whether the appeal, with all its inferences, should have been made while the position is still fully* capable of solution by accommodation. Extreme conservative journals, whose watchwords are “Lloyd Georg© must go” use the Near East middle as a stick with which to beat him, whom they blame for the pro-Greek policy, but most newspapers are trying to discover a way of preventing Eastern Europe blazing up again. BOMBSHELL LAUNCHED. TO ROUSE THE WORLD. It is claimed, on behalf of the Prime Minister, that he launched the bombshell with every intention of rousing the world into realisation of th© true position. Liberal organs are faced with a dilemma. They do not want war, but have no love for the Turk >. They urge the summoning of a conference of all interested States to solve the Near East problem as a whole, declaring that the only way to prevent an extension of the conflict is prompt action on these lines. Purely Government organs* warmly back Cabinet’s policy, emphasising the impression created by the world-wide manifestation of the Empire’s solid front against extravagant Turkish claims. Anyhow it is certain Cabinet’s manifesto jolted the country into an abrupt realisation of the dangers arising from the Turkish demands. Some people think Mr. Lloyd George ha& ont, ey© an America, which, whatever her aversion to European entanglements, has a soft spot in her heart for Turkey’s Christian subjects. They see in American opinion potential means of overawing the Turks and compelling modification of the demands without actual recourse to force. There is national aversion here from the thought of a new war on a capital wale, but there is no serious suggestion that the country would, in the last resort, fail to rally solidly to the flag. (United Service). FURTHER FRENCH COMMENT. MODERATION ADVISED. (Received 19, 11.35 a.m.) Paris, Sept. 18. The “Petit Parisian” says the British Note smells a little of powder. It is our turn to-day to beg our British friends to do nothing rashly in the Near East. In 1914 the fear of Russia led Turkey into Germany’s hands. Turkey must not bo led to-day by fear of British seizure of Constantinople to throw herself into Russia’s arms. Such a step would be certain to lead to a new European war. “Le Petit Parisian ” advises moderation on Turkey’s part, saying .she may count on an honourable peace. The “Echo de Paris’ ’says it never hoard language more threatening or seen a greater display of force. It even surpasses the tone employed by the exKaiser. “YVo cannot believe, upon reflection, Britain desires war. It is a question of prestige. Mustapha’s humiliation is the end pursued by the British Cabinet. Either Kemal will bow and consequently be discredited before Islam, or resist, and Britain will count upon the fleet to inflict on him a still more grievous affront, The friends of Britain hope her eyes may be opened in time to renounce the enterprise she is confronting. * ’ “L’Eclair” endorses the Note and says Britain could not allow Kemal’s insolent declarations to pass unanswered. Our Government now has an opportunity to seal the grand Alliance from the Rhine to the Bosporus. It would come solidatc our position. We should not allow the opportunity to escape.-—(A. and N.Z.) __ “L© Matin” considers Britain’s violent attitude in the present Circumstances veritable madness. It ridicules the idea that the Kemalists are contemplating an invasion of Europe. The paper declares there is a surprising disproportion between the disturbance in the Lloyd Georgian circles and a friendly settlement, which was to be expected, and states the French Government is perfectly cool and declines to be dragged into such an aberration. The “Petit Parisien” requests British friends to refrain from upsetting the Near East just when the French proclaimed an agreement with them subject to freedom of the Straits, and appeals to the Turks not to throw themselves into the arms of Russia, thus sooner or later to bring about a new war. —(A. and N.Z.) H.M.A.S. AUSTRALIA. PROBABLE RE-COMMISSION. (Received 19. 11.25 a.m.) Melbourne, Sept. 19. Owing to the Turkish development, work of dismantling H.M.A.S. Australia has been deferred.—(A. and N.Z.) NEW ZEALAND’S ACTION. FOR DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT TO-DAY. (Special to “Tribune.”)’ Parliament Buildings, Sept. 19. It is probable the House will be given an opportunity this afternoon to

express a nopinion on th© developments of the. week-end. The Prime Minister will make a statement on the action of Cabinet, and may have one or two later messages from the Imperial autnorities to disclose. It is understood matters will be brought forward in such a way that if there are mem bers who disagree with the action taken they will have a chance to say so. Members are taking mor© than an academic interest in the situation. Already five of them have offered themselves for service—namely, the Post-master-Gentral, the Hon. J. G. Coates, Mr. Mitchell (Wellington South), Mr Harris (Waitemata), Mr. Potter (Roskill) and Mr. Glenn (Rangitikei). One of the many topics discussed in the lobbies is as to the size of the first force which this country will despatch should the necessity arise. It is pointed out that a great number of men who are tried soldiers are offering themselves, and that New Zealand is much better off in the matter of equipment than she was in 1914. The official opinion is that with shipping available itl would be possible to send abroad a thoroughly efficient and equipped battalion within a fortnight of the call for men. The answer as to how many, would follow is contained in the great enrolment figures. ANZACS IN ENGLAND. EAGER TO ENLIST. (Received 19, 1.50 p.m.) .. London, September 18. Many Australian and New Zealand ex-soldiers ar© inquiring with a view to the formation of contingents, and desiring to re-enlist. The Austral-New Zealand Services Association is convening a special meeting to consider the situation, and will propose an appeal to Mr. Hughes and Mr. Massey on half of ex-servicers throughout Britain, giving them an opportunity to enlist if a contingent is raised.—(Unit, ed Service.) , AN ANZAC DIY7ISION. SUGGESTED FOR THE NEAR EAST. (Received 19, 11.25 a.m.) Sydney, Sept. 19. In the absence Of definite details in respect to the exact nature of the dominions’ assistance, many are speculating ■whether a division or a brigade will be desparched. Preliminary preparatory work by the authorities is progressing on a basis of one division going. It is thought possibly Australia and New Zealand may form an Anzac Division to reinforce the 1 Allies in Asia Minor. Military opinion seems to prepfer a division to a brigade, as the latter would be swallowed up in a English division.—(A. and N.Z.) RECRUITING IN WELLINGTON. RUSH FOR ENROLMENT. Wellington. September 19. Up to 12.45 p.m. to-day 94 officers, 4 nurses, and 140,3 other ranks had enrolled at Buckle street for the expeditionary force. A steady stream of recruits is still flowing in. All ar© single mon. They are a fine stamp and over 30 per cent, are in employment. Enrolment constitutes an easy record, far exceeding the be.<t figures for the-ad-vance party or the Main Expeditionary Force in the late war. It is officially announced that if a contingent is sent units will be mobilised and trained in the respr ?tiv© commands. There will thus be *io central vamp, as occurred in the late war. NAPIER VOLUNTEERS. THE 100 MARK REACHED. Now that the Defence Department is taking names of Volunteers for examination in case of a call to arms a steady stream of men is calling at the Napier Defence Office. Early this morning the 100 mark was reached and fresh applications are being made every few minutes. The list then comprised fhree officers, a large number of N.C.O’/, and the balance engineers, privates, signallers, gunners etc. A fair proportion of th© volunteers are returned men, but there is evidence nf probable applications waiting for something more definite than at present. Apart from the willingness to volunteer indicated by the applications, th© list cannot be regarded as important, because if a camp is started the whole thing will have be re-done in the proper manner, W1 particulars given and medical examination arranged for. HASTINGS REGISTERS 70. Sergeant-Major O ’Leary, of the Hasti ings Defence area, is now registering the names of volunteers for active service, responding to the call made by the Government in connection with the present crisis in Eastern Europe. Those eligible are ex-officers of the N.Z.E.F., 'officers on the active or preserve lists of the Territorial forces, cx-N.Co’s N.Z.E.F. and vohintecers, not included in the above, who are not under 20 years of age. Application should be made at the Hastings Defence Office in the Hall. Up to 11 a.m. to-day seventy volunteeers registered. Up to 3 p.m. to-day Sergeant-Major O’Leary enrolled 90 volunteers for active service. OTHER CENTRES. From other centres the Press Association messages give the approximate number of men volunteering for military service as follows: Thames 50, Blenheim 134, YY’hakatane, Defence office besieged by applicants, many of whom are returned soldiers.