WAR NOW UNLIKELY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 238, 20 September 1922, Page 5

WAR NOW UNLIKELY

AGREEMENT BETWEEN ALLIES

Kemal Pasha Impressed

FREEDOM OF STRAITS CONCEDED

Turks Favour Prompt Peaceful Settlement

[By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.J

(Received 20, 9.5 a.in.) London, September 19. The ‘‘Daily Mail” publishes a statement described as officially inspired, after the conclusion of the conference of Ministers, declaring that the situation, though grave, has markedly improved. Agreement between the Allies has cleared the air. The Allies are prepared to effectively meet the situation. The readiness of Allied armed forces in and around Constantinople has already affected Kemal. It can be confidently stated that war is now most unlikely. Rechid Pasha, Turkish representative in London, interviewed, declared that the Turks will ensur e freedom of the Straits. All they wanted was a prompt and peaceful settlement by conference. — (United Service.) Paris, September 19. General Pelle, French High Commissioner at Constantinople, is proceeding to Smyrna to explain the French official attitude to Kemal. French troops in Constantinople and in the region of the Straits number 10,000, and two battalions are stationed at Chanak. There is no intention of reinforcing them.—(A. and N.Z.) Berlin, September 19. It is reported that Mustapha Pasha telegraphed M. Tchitcherin, who is at present in Berlin, declaring that he entirely abides by the treaty under which the Angora Government undertook to negotiate with the Entente concerning the Near East only in conjunction with the Moscow Government. Constantinople reports state that the Entente High Commissioners have handed the Nationalist* representative a Note, pointing out, without prejudice to eventual peace terms, that it is undesirable that the Nationalists shoul d violate the neutral zones defined by the Allies.—(“Times.”) Telegraphing from Constanin ople, Mr G. Ward, Price, war correspondent of the “Daily Mail,” says “My own belief, after a long talk with Kemal at Smyrna, is that he will prefer to negotiate rather than challenge the Allies to a trial of strength. There is still a possibility that the more fanatical elements in the National Assembly at Angora may force him to take military action, but if he is checked anywhere, the whole prestige of his recent victory will be lost. The destruction of Smyrna has already greatly weakened him.”—(United Service.) DEFAULTING CER MANY REJOICES. OVER TURKO—BRITISH RUPTURE. AND PROSPECT OE EMPIRE DISRUPTION. (Received 20. 8.40 a.m.) London. Sept. 19. The “Morning Post’s’’ Berlin correspondent states that the press of all shades of opinion is revelling in the despatches from London, Paris and Athens dealing with the imminence of an Anglo-Turkish war. One reads in every newspaper that Canada and South Africa are unwilling to raise troops for s uch a war, and that an unnamed Indian member of the council threatens Mr. Lloyd George with final alienation of 75,000.000 Moslems if he persists in his present policy. German newspapers also assert that France will not tolerate a new Gibraltar on the Bosporus, and that Soviet Russia has begun military operations with a view to supporting Kemal.—(A. and N.Z.)

NONE DESIRE WAR-

FIRMNESS AVERTS DISASTER. London, Sept. 18. The “Daily Chronicle,’’ summing up the opinion of the Government supporters, says: “No one wants a new war, not even Rbmal. The British position is simple and not affected by the defeat of the Greeks any more than it would have been if the Greeks had defeated Kemal, but the British Empire is deeply cqjieerned with the freedom of the Straits connecting the Black Sea and the Mediterranean and cannot accept Kemal’s guarantee. The Allies must control the Straits themselves. will only come if we show ourselves weak and undecided.” The “Chronicle” adds: “Thanks to the firm attitude of the British Government, the danger of hostilities between the Allies and Turkey seems less acute. For this we owe something to the loyalty of the French Government. which has agreed to stand by us in. defending the freedom of the Straits.” TELECRAMS FROM KEMAL. BRITAIN NOT REGARDED AS AN ENEMY. The “Evening Standard,” under the heading “History of the. Blunder.” prints a statement, beaming evidences of inspiration from Downing Street, calculated to modify the first public impression caused by Saturday’s manifesto. It says: “We will learn that the document was drafted by a Cabinet Minister for the guidance of those who might be called upon to answer inquiries concerning the Government position. It was issued with the Prime Minister’s approval, but was unofficial, since it was not agreed to by Cabinet. Why so important a statement came to be published so casually is not explained. There is no expectation that troops will be called from the Dominions unless Kemal becomes aggressive and creates an intolerable position.” The paper proceeds: “In no country and no section is there any desire for an outbreak of war. Telegrams have been received from Kemal himself making it clear that he does not regard Britain as an enemy. Statesmen abroad must not accept this statement as official, though it reflects the views of the Government. On Saturday the Premier sanctioned the publication, but Cabinet was unaware of the language of the ’Note, which was not a Cabinet document and was not sent to either the French or Italian Governments.” The whole tenor of the article, which bears striking resemblance to those of other evening papers, suggests that it is intended to discount the charges made by the “Daily Mail” and other papers that the Prime Minister’s policy was rushing the country headlong into war. If it Is to be taken as semi-official it must be regarded also as soothing syrup to relieve the public agitation raised by Saturday’s manifesto, which was handed out for broadcasting throughout the press. The manifesto was published as deliberate! v as such a document could be. Possibly the Government threw otH its little rubber bomb without realising that it would bounce so much. Discussions are now concentrating upon the question: Who was responsible for trie somewhat flamboyant document ?—(United Service). EARLIER REPORTS LESS RE ASSURING. KEMAL NOT BLUFFING. London, Sept. 18. Cabinet has decided that the British Empire will see the Dardanelles crisis through alone if necessary. Lord Cavan (Chief-of-Staff), Sir H. M. Trenchard (Air Chief) and Lord Beatty attended to-day’s Cabinet meeting. Ministers and experts discussed for two hours measures to keep the freedom of the Straits. It is understood all services are ready to send reinforcements from England immediately i fnecesaary. Details of reinforcements were agreed upon. It is understood the attitude of Cabinet is that the British Empire is prepared to see the Dardanelles crisis through by itself if necessary.

No official communications have been received thus far from France or Italy, nor have South Africa and Canada replied to the British Note. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Constanti- ' nople correspondent states that with the British rushing every available unit to the Dardanelles the military situation in Constantinople is critical. “It is no exaggeration to say that Turkey is very close to open war with Britain at least, and perhaps with France. The Allied authorities have decided that Kemal is not bluffing when he says the military forces of occupation must go. Hopes for a conference which would solve anything are nil. INSTIGATION OF RIOTS AND REVOLUTION. IN CONSTANTINOPLE AND THRACE. “Kemal will be in the position of dic--1 tator unless the Allies are willing to light. Kemal T» moving the bulk of his army northwards. It is in excellent shape despite its rapid advance to Smyrna. He is threatening the neutral zones of both the Dardanelles and the Bosporus. Kemal is able to throw ’ 70,000 troops into any battle. Never- ! thelcss, Kemal’s chief card is the instigation of riots and revolution in 1 Constantinople and Thrace. Already disguised Turkish officers have made their appearance in Stamboul, organising bands of Chetahs and irregulars, who will be ready to loot and slay directly the word is given. Troops garrisoning Constantinople are so few that it is impossible to maintain order i if the mobs break loose. The terrors of Smyrna will be nothing compared with what is in store for the foreign quarters of Constantinople unless the Allies throw in sufficient troops. EFFICIENT ARMY. Military experts estimate that fifteen to twenty Allied divisions will be needed if Kemal’s thrust is to be parried, and no one knows whence they are coming. British officers told me today that Kemal has given the Allies six days to leave Constantinople. The spirit of Kemal’s army is that of a victorious force. The men are eager to press forward and their discipline is excellent. Gone is the old stiffness which was the product of German instruction. A camaraderie is now established similar to that of the French army. Their equipment is first class. Most of the rifles are the latest. French models. The artillery is armed with the Hotchkiss of the latest pattern and the men also carry automatic s.s. rifles. If the Allied forces fight they will meet highly specialised and well drilled troops possessing splendid morale and cherishing legends of Kut-el-Amara, but forgetting General Allenby’s victories. ANOTHER ARMY IN IRAK. Kemal has another army in Irak consisting of new recruits from the Kurdish hill tribes with a sprinkling of old veterans. Jowat Pasha is leading this army. He is celebrated for his hatred of everything British. He will be able to keep several regiments of British regulars in Mesopotamia while the main Kemalist forces are operating elsewhere. Kemal has no thought for any enemy except the British, though he continually refers to the Allied forces. If war comes an army of at least 300,000 will be required by the Allies to liquidate the situation.”— (A. and N.Z.) JUGO-SLAVIA. TROOPS CONCENTRATED. IN SOUTH EASTERN SERBIA. London, Sept. 18. I The Belgrade report of the Jugo-1 Slav armies is not true, but a considerable concentration of troops is taking place in South-Eastern Serbia. The Government is considering call- i ing up first-class reserves to counter possible Bulgarian action. The press, and public are against the return of the Turks to Europe. Jugoslavia will i ’ assist the Allies to maintain the status quo. —(“Times.”) I