FRENCH ATTITUDE CHANGING.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 239, 21 September 1922, Page 5

FRENCH ATTITUDE CHANGING.

INVASION NOT TOLERATED. NEUTRAL ZONE SACRED. Paris, Sept. 19. Lord Curzon sees M. Poincare on Wednesday. It is announced that though the French Cabinet supported the withdrawal of the French troops from Chanak, it was only due to Kemal’s assurance that he would not attack Gallipoli. A high French authority states that if Kemal places a foot in the neutral zone it will pot be tolerated. Public opinion is utterly hostile to military action, but a section of the public is asking if the British action is attributable to fuller information regarding Soviet co-operation with the Kemalists than France possesses. The French withdrawal from Chanak is confirmed. The force consisted of not more than 100 officers and men.— (A. and N.Z.) BOLSHEVIK ACTIVITY. THE RED ARMY READY. KEMALISTS OFFICERED BY GERMANS. Berlin, Sept. 20. At the last meeting the Soviet Military Council, Trotsky said the present was a favourable opportunity to demonstrate the readiness of the Red Army. Several speakers pointed out that it was an opportunity to force the Entente to recognise the Soviet, which might possibly obtain the required foreign loans.—(A. and N.Z.) London, Sept. 20. According to a well-informed source, the Bolsheviks have been for a long time transferring considerable quantities of gold and precious stones to help equip Kemal’s army. Some of the treasures were taken from the churches. War material has also been sent. Considerable numbers of German officers reached Angora through Soviet Russia, and they are greatly responsible for the efficiency of the Turkish Nationalists.—(“Times.”) THE SMYRNAN MASSACRES. Geneva, Sept. 19. The Assembly placed at Dr. Nansen’s disposal 100,(JOO francs for the relief of refugees in the Near East until the League has time to appeal to the public and governments for funds. After hearing the Islam representative, the Assembly referred to the Commission a proposal to send a commission to Asia Minor to make inquiries in connection with the latest massacres and to take measures to prevent reprisals. Both the Angora Assembly and Persia have intimated their agreement in regard to the inquiry.—(A. and N.Z.) TRANSPORT FOR REFUGEES. London, Sept. 19. Joint Allied representations have been made to Kemal with a view to utilising Greek ships to convey Greek refugees from Smyrna. Kemal has not replied.—(A. and N.Z.) Constantinople, Sept. 19. Mutinous Greek troops in Thrace seized trains in order to repatriate themselves. —(A. and N.Z.) EGYPTIAN NATIONALISTS. PRO-TURKISH DEMONSTRATION. Cairo, Sept. 19. Persistent rumours that Britain has definitely resumed hostilities against the Turks have aroused enthusiastic pro-Turkish demonstrations. —(A. and k.z.)