THE MENACE OF TURKEY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 239, 22 September 1922, Page 5

THE MENACE OF TURKEY

GRAVE UNCERTAINTY CONTINUES

Latest Advices More Reassuring

IMPORTANT MEETING AT DOWNING STREET

Ministers and Military Chiefs Confer

By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.)

London, Sept. 21. An unexpected urgently summoned conference of Ministers and the army, navy and air chiefs is l>eing held to-night. Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Churchill are returning from the country. The purpose is believed to be consideration of an important communication from Lord Curzon. — (Reuter.) Downing Street has announced that it is untrue that the Greeks had been in occupation of the Chanak zone, which the British occupied immediately alter the armistice and had held ever since. The neutrality ui the zone had been consistently maintained against the Greeks'. When the Greeks in Maj last entered the neutral line in pursuit of Turkish brigands, troops forced the Greeks to withdraw . The British Government had no intention of withdrawing from Chanak. The report that the, Kemalists have invaded the zone is still unconfirmed and is generally doubted.—(“Argus.”) At the end of the conference with M. Poincare, Lord Curzon said: “We are making progress, but everything cannot be done in a day.” Semi-official announcements following Ministerial conferences in London also indicate that the situation is easier, though Britain has not received any definite statement from Kemal regarding terms. It is noteworthy that M. Poincare conferred with Marshal Foch and General Weygand before the afternoon conference with Lord Curzon. — (Reuter.) It is understood Admiral Beatty showed plans to the French naval authorities whereby it is hoped a demonstration of force alone will be sufficient to prevent the Kemalists from seizing the Straits. Admiral Beatty is very popular in France, and his views are arousing interest in naval circles, though the French experts are inclined to believe it necessary to supplement the ships by a land force.—(A. and N.Z.) M. Poincare has declared that the Treaty, of Sevres will certainly be abrogated.—(A. and N.Z.) Constantinople, Sept. 20. Kemal is willing to participate in a conference if the Allies withdraw from Ismid. Another message states that the Turks have warned the Allies that they, will immediately cross the Dardanelles unless East Thrace is returned to Turkey.—(Reuter.) DEFENCE OF CHRISTIAN RULE. AN ACCOUNT TO SETTLE IN THE EAST. (Received 22, 9.25 a.m.) New York, Sept. 21. The “Evening Telegram,” in an editorial headed “Anzacs Are Ready,” says: No maudlin pacifist sentimentality prevails among the sturdy whelps of the British Lion. With the same response which marked the Empire's call to aid in the gigantM crisis of 1914, New Zealand and Australia have replied to the soundings from Downing Street respecting the defence of Christian rule in South-eastern Europe. There Is an account to settle in that neighbourhood and there is work unfinished near the Dardanelles wh*ch may require attention. The paper adds: “If Kemal does not listen to the British warning we are assured that the Anzacs, the corps which never relinquished its position on the western front, are ready and willing to do it all over again.—(A. and N.Z.)

CURZON’S MISSION TO PARIS.

CLEAR CUT INSTRUCTIONS. POSSIBLE CONCESSIONS TO KEMAL. London, Sept. 20. Well-informed quarters in London say that Viscount Curzon went to Paris with clear-cut instructions, and they will not be surprised if, as a result of the conference, the Turks are re"-admitted to the Asiatic shore of the Dardanelles, on condition, firstly, of the establishment of a broad demilitarised zone identical with that existin in the sanjak of Chanak; secondly the placing of an Allied force on Gallipoli with the insistence that it must remain in occupation there to safeguard Tree and unimpeded entry into the Straits. There is high authority for stating that the French Government ,and certain representatives of Turkey now in Paris, are agreed on these provisions, and that Kemal is favourably disposed. THE TURKS’ DEMANDS. REMAKE THE SEVRES TREATY. Paris. Sept. 20. Ferid Bey, interviewed by the newspaper “ Intransigent.” said the Turks considered there would be two distinct conferences, one consisting of the Great Powers to remake the Treaty of Sevres, end the other to fix the status of the Straits, at which Russia, Roumania, Bulgaria, Georgia, and Azerbaijan would be logically represented us •UTrectly interested. —(Reuter). RUSSIA SEEKS ALLIANCE. UNION OF NEAR~EABT NATIONS. INCLUDING AFGHANISTAN. London ,Sept. 20. A Moscow message states that Raskolnikoff, the Soviet representative at Kabul, has been instructed to sound Afghanistan regarding an Oriental alliance to include Russia, Turkey, the Caucasian Republic, Bokhara, Mongolia and Persia. It is reported that Raskolnikoff has already formally offered Afghanistan an Alliance. A smiliar offer is expected from Kemal.—(“Times. 0 ) SOVIET BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP. WITH THE~KE MA LISTS. London, Sept. 21. The “Daily Telegraph” states that the Soviet Government is bringing pressure On Keinal to make him declare that a peace conference on the Straits question is impossible without the presence of the Russians. Kemal has befin assured of full Russian support at the conference for the Turkish demands. —(A. and N.Z.) Berlin, Sept. 20Karakhan, Soviet assistant Commissary of Foreign Affairs, has received a reply from the Angora Foreign Minister, thanking Russia for the congratulations and expressing the hope that after a victorious peace the bonds of friendship and brotherhood between Turkey and Russia will grow still ’stronger.—(‘ ‘ Times. ’’) AT CONSTANTINOPLE. DANGER OF MASSACRE. IF KEMAL ENTERS NEUTRAL ZONE. Constantinople. Sept. 20. Kemal lias summoned the members of the Angora Ministry to Smyrna to discuss the situation. Officers, with wives and families, have been ordered to be ready to embark. British residents here have» received a hint to prepare to send off their womenfolk and children. These are precautionary measures in the event of Kemal attacking the neutral zones, when it is certain his agents will attempt to stir up rioting in Constantinople. The British forces would handicapped if compelled to detach troops for the protection of residents. The British headquarters at Hie Dardanelles has advised the civil population to Chanak. as the town

is likely to be shelled if Kemal advances on Chanak. The Narrows is the scene of most intense activity from dawn to dark. The Turkish population is for the moment quiet, being under the control of military and civilians, but fires and massacres are inevitable if Kemal advances.—(“Times.”) SACKINC OF SALONIKA. RELIEF OF AMERICAN ' REFUGEES. Washington, Sept 20. President Harding has asked Congress to appropriate 200,000 dollars for the relief of American refugees in the Near East, the State Department estimating that at least 1000 Americans are in pressing need of assistance. The President pointed out that the need could not be filled by the private funds of American relief organisations. The Congressional leaders have promised prompt action.— (A. and N.Z.) MARMARA COASTAL TOWN COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY TIRE. London. Sept. 21. Information has been received by the Ministry of Marine that the whole of Pandemia (a town on the AsiaMinor coast of the Sea of Marmara, at the neck of the Artaki Peninsula), including the railway station and the Ottoman Bank, has been destroyed by fire with the exception of 100 houses. —(Reuter). CASUALTIES AMONG Paris, Sept. 20. The casualties among civilians were numerous in the Panderma fire.— (Reuter.) CHRISTIAN REFUGEES THE PRISONERS OF KEMAL. London, Sept. 20. The “Morning Post’s” Constantinople correspondent states that the Kemalists have placarded Smyrna stating that all male Christian refugees between 18 and 45 are considered prisoners of war. In consequence of this decision refugees of these ages are being collected and deported up country. A report from Angora states that the Turks altogether have captured 60,000 Greeks. -(Reuter). ITALY STANDS CLEAR. OPPOSES ANGLO-FRENCH POLICY Romp, Sept. 20. Newspapers generally agree that Italy must not tire a shot against the Turks. The “Messagero” announces that the Italian soldiers have been recalled to Italy. The “Epoca” declares that England really wants to conclude an agreement with France in order to strengthen the Little Entente, save the Greek power in the Mediterranean, and end the Pan-Islamic war. Italy cannot accept the English policy, which is contrary to Italian Mediterranean and Adriatic interests. a s it strengthens the Poles and Slavs and the Roumanian confederation, while removing Venizelos’ rule from Greece. Further, Italy cannot agree with the French policy to allow the Turks to reoccupy Thrace* at Bulgaria’s expense, while Italv might be expected to compensate Greece by the restoration of the Dodecanese Islands and renounce the independence of Albania. “A Baikanic war,” declares the “Epoca. ’ would Ih* preferable to the loss of our interests.”—(A. and N.Z.) GENERAL TOWNSHEND. LIMITS OVERSEAS AID. London. September 21. General Townshend, who recently interviewed Kemal at Angora, agrees with Mr. Hughes that the assistance of the dominions should not go bevond the maintenance of the freedom of the Dardanelles. Since Kemal agrees with the freedom of the Straits there should lx* no necessity for a single Anzac. General Townshend added that the continuation of the occupation • of Constantinople would provoke a holy war—-(United Sen ice.)

LABOUR LEADERS’ VIEWPOINT. BONES OF LONDON COCKNEY’.” NOT WORTH BOTHERING ABOUT. London, September 21. The* Independent labour Party, demonstrating against war. adopited a resolution that Mr. Lloyd George was a menace to the world’s peace, and demanding an immediate general election. Mr. Arthur Henderson declared that .Mr. Lloyd George, who recently issued a clarion call to Nonconformists on behalf of peace, had now r issued an inflammatory appeal to the dominions before diplomacy had had a chance to begin its work. He added: “Is the freedom of the Straits, which will always bo. open under disarmament, worth the bones ot a single London Cockney?” and was answered by loud cries of “No; and we are not going to ' fight!” Air. Lloyd George, in intimating | t.onsent to receive a Labour deputa i«;;i lot the purpose of discussing the | Near Fast .Miuiuioit. declared that if I Labour was merely anxious ior peace j they were kmx king at an already open I door because Cabinet was doing all I possible to make wat impossible VISCOUNT GREY’S OPINION. SEPARATE ACTION MEANS DISASTER London t September 21. Viscount Grey, in' a letter to the newspapers, urges that the immediate question in the Near East is the avoidance of war. The situation can only be saved by real concert between Britain and France, in which Italy would probably join. It was a terrible mistake of the Government to announce on Saturday’ the whole scheme of action without previously consulting France. France’s reply was the withdrawal from Chanak. “If tho British Government co.*:iemplates separate action in the Near East we shall be heading for disaster. There must be no repetition of the separate action in Egypt in 1882, which poisoned international relations for 22 years.” —(“Argus.”) CANADIANS VOLUNTEER FREELY Ottawa, September 20. Convinced that the Near East news is reassuring. Cabinet adjourned till Friday. Offers to enlist continue in great numbers, and a contingent is assured if required.—(A. and N.Z.) CALGARY LABOURITES’ WISHES. (Received 22, 10.55 a.m.) New’ York, Sept. 21. The Calgary branch of the Dominion Labour Party’ sent a resolution to the Premier, Mr. Mackenzie King, protesting against Canadian participation in any war at this 'time. —(A. and N.Z.) > N.Z. ENLISTMENTS. TOTAL NEARLY 11,000. ARAWA TRIBE’S MESSAGE. Wellington, Sept. 21. Up to midnight yesterday 10,715 recruits had registered throughout the Dominion. The totals for the respective commands are:—Northern, 186 officers, 2241 other ranks; Central, 428 officers, 3990 other ranks, 45 nurses; southern, 231 officers, 3555 other ranks, 25 nurses. In addition to the above 167 nurses have registered with the matron-in-chief at Wellington and 24 officers and three other ranks with the staff officer Cor the air service. The Prime Minister has received a message from the Arawa tribe, the translation of which is: “I w’ill not stay. I w’ill go. Be brave, o father, God will give you light.” ' The Prime Minister has received the following radio message from the Resident Commissioner at Rarotonga:— “Cook Islands offer to assist the Empire with a contingent for Turkey.” The Employers’ Federation carried the following resolution unanimously: “The Dominion Employers’ Federation, in meeting assembled, is heartily in accord W’ith the action of the Prime Minister and the Government in connection w’ith the cablegram from Mr Lloyd George regarding the crisis in the Near East.” “OUR CLEAR DUTY.” RIGHT HON. SIR JOSEPH WARD’S VIEWS. Since his return to New Zealand the Right Hon Sir Joseph Ward has avoided interviewers, but yesterday morning he consented to express to a representative of “The Post” his views on the Near East situation. “Naturally one’s first feelings were of profound regret,” he said, “that before the terms of the Great War were put into practical effect we find ourselves suddenly, confronted with a possible fresh war between nations, our own included, that, to an extent greater than at any previous time in the world’s history, required many years of peace to restore economic and other conditions to enable .the progress, development, and restoration of the world to be effectively brought about. “Yet there it is. We are confronted with a menacing situation in the Near East, a situation which, if it is not arrested at its birth, may grow into a terrible conflict the extent which no one can foresee. If a war with all its horrors should prove to he unavoidable 1 have every confidence that the British Empire, and the countries associated with it, will in the end prove victorious, but that in no way minimises the fact that the victors and the vanquished must both suffer from the appalling horrors of such a war. Our greatest hope of preventing a war is to show our enemies that we are ready, and will, if necessary, resolutely face all the disadvantages. misery and wretchedness that a war must entail, and this can only be looped for by the whole Empire standing solidly together as one, ready and willing to face whatever may be before it. It is the practical wav while negotiations for a settlement by the Imperial Government, on behalf of the Empire are carried on, let us hope, in the interests of humanity, successfully. “The fanaticism that characterises the Islam population, which numbers some 80.000.000. is an element that is of a very disturbing nature. To what extent their fanaticism may carry them if negotiations for peace as between the Greeks and the Turks are unsuccessful it is impossible to conjecture. The moral effect on them of the most powerful combination of countries in the world, the British Empire, will prove a powerful factor against starting a war, and I hold the view that whether the British Government is right or wrong should not count at present. So far as New Zealand is concerned our clear duty at present is to back the Imperial Government and do our duty as citizens of the Empire in every way in our power.”