PEACE OR WAR?

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 240, 23 September 1922, Page 5

PEACE OR WAR?

IN THE HANDS OF KEMAL

Critical Hours for the Empire.

TURKISH THREAT TO ADVANCE

Practically an Ultimatum

I By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 23, 8.5 a.m.) Paris, Sept. 21. An inspired statement says the British resolve to keep troops in the Asiatic zone unfavourably impressed Franco-jtaiian circles, which understood that Angora will refrain, at least for some days, from an imprudent move. The French Government has reason to believe that Angora will not participate in the peace conference unless formally assured of the recognition of her claim to the Maritza frontier and restoration cf Adrianople. The communique concludes with the suggestion fCr an Allied conference on this basis.—'A. and N.Z.) Constantinople. Sept. 22. The Kemalist*? threaten to advance unless satisfactory guarantee* about Thrace are received within 48 hours.—(Reuter.) 'the “Daily Express’ ” Constantinople correspondent states that the Turks demanded the right to cross the Straits in pursuit of the Greeks. General Harrington replied that an Anglo-Turkish war would be the inevitable consequence of such action. He appealed to Kemal’s emissary not to take irremediable action pending a conference.—(A. and N.Z.) Paris, Sept. 21. Marshal Foch handed M. Poincare a statement that Chanak could not be held in the face of a real enemy attack without 100,000 soldiers and a fleet to back them up. M. Poincare handed Foeh’s opinion to Lord Curzon, who forwarded it to Mr. Lloyd George. The “Daily Express’ ” Paris correspondent reports that after a conference between Admiral Beatty and Admiral Grasset, the French Admiralty ordered several cruisers to proceed forthwith to reinforce the Straits.—(A. and N.Z.) Constantinople, Sept. 21. The Franco-Italian detachments’ flags were to-day removed from Ismid and the Dardanelles neutral zones on orders from their respective Governments. The lines are now held exclusively by British troops, supported by the combined Atlantic and Mediterranean fleets. The Kemalist vanguard is reported to have reached the neutral zone of the Dardanelles, and the next few hours will show whether they contemplate action. It is hoped, however, t4iat friendly outside counsels will deter Kemal from committing an actual breach. Advices have been received at Adana from Smyrna that the Kemalist Ministers have arrived. It is also reported, but not confirmed, that Smyrna will henceforth be the Nationalists’ headquarters. Authoritative quarters in Adana express the view that the Turks will not attack the Allied troops in the neutral zone, which Turkey does not intend at present to re-occupy.—(Reuter.)

DISPOSITION CF ALLIED FORCES.

| ference in Paris yeserday says Lord Curzon expressed great astonishment at the fact that while the British hau decided to reinforce their troops at Chanak France and Italy had resolved to withdraw their contingents from the soul th side of Sea oi Marmara. Lord Curzon considered this decision hardly conformed to the agreements of 1915 and 1918, which provided for partial inter-Allied occupation of Turkish territory. M. Poincare regarded these agreements as at present inapplicable, as no conflict was feared when the allocation of troops was provided for. Ho added that French opinion would not permit French troops to act with the Greeks, and he argued that if Chanak were held the whole southern shore of the Sea of Marmara ought to be equally occupied. M. Poincare further pointed out the military objection of the Allies fighting with their backs to the sea and the undesirable effect . upon the Islamic world if Britain adapted an uncompromising or bellicose attitude. Signor Sporza, Italy, agreeing with M. Poincare, said he believed the Kenialists would entertain peace discussions on an acceptable basis. It. is pointed ou that Russia is not invited as she is not directly interested. The Soviet-Angora treaty specifically excludes Russians from discussions affecting the sovereignty of Turkey’ and the security of Constantinople. The semi-official statement declares that the problem cannot be referred to the nations, as urged by Dr. Nansen and the Dominion representatives, as it is a governmental matter.—Reuter.) THE ENEMY VOICE. - LIMAN VON SANDERS. DECLARES TURKISH VICTORY COMPLETE. London. September 21. “Turkey’s victory is complete. Consantinople will again be lurkish. Neither Europe nor England will venture a conflict with Kemal Pasha, who has behind him the entire Moslem world,” declared Liman von Sanders (German commander of the Turkish’ forces during the Great War) to the ••Daily Telegraph’’ correspondent. “1 cannot see why England makes such a fuss about the Straits. Mr. Lloyd George said Gallipoli was sacred ground because it contains more than 20,000 British graves. It also holds 60,000 graves oi Turks whe fell in the defence of their own country. I cannot understand why England resists the just claim of Turkey to Thrace. Purely Turkish territory must be returned to Turkey, because it is impossible for Constantinouie. the capital of the Moslem world, to be on the frontier of a defenceless State. England must yield to Kemal on this point.”—(A. and N.Z.) POLITICAL STRUGGLE IN ANGORA. BETWEEN MODERATES AND WAR PARTY. Constantinople, September 21. There is an intense political struggle at Angora between the Moderates, supported by the Opposition, wishing to avoid war. and the Extremists, supported by the army leaders, some of whose heads, having been turned by recent successes. are ready to risk a conflict. The Soviet’s envoy, M. Araloff. naturally supports the war party. The French Government, through its representatives, is doing its utmost to persuade the Nationalists to adopt a moderate policy, but it appears that M. Belle, the French envoy, returned from Smyrna this morning and found them in an uncompromising mood.— (“Times.”) GREECE. VENEZELOS ’ INFLUENCE. Athens. Sept. 21. Political leaders stress the fact that if the Powers induce M. Venezelos to abandon opposition to the National Government and forbid his wealthy supporters further to undermine Greek stability, he could immediately resume his place in the cadre of the nation. Had Britain thus persuaded M. Venezelos months ago the debacle of the last three weeks would never have happened.—(A. and N.Z.) The 1923 class conscripts have been called to the colours.—-(Reuter).

BRITISH ALONE ON ASIATIC SIDE. FRENCH AND ITALIANS STRENGTHEN GALLIPOLI GARRISON. London, Sept. 22. Opinion in the diplomatic circles of England and France is that the Near Eastern situation continues as satisfactory as possible. Both England and France are anxious for peace and are Agreed upon the main points of policy, but while France desires diplomacy without a display of military force the British Government believes that diplomacy unsupported by evidence of military and naval power will be valueless. Neither considers the need fOY military action has yet arisen. The Commander-in-Chief of the Allies in Constantinople continues to receive reinforcements. The British activities also include the difficult problem of safeguarding, housing, and feeding of refugees. French opinion is disappointed at the announcement that Britain will not evacuate Chanak and some surprise is expressed, as it was understood Britain was open to argument on this matter, but Lord Curzon’s instructions were apparently definite. Messages from Constantinople indicate that Paris’ hopes and fears do not deter the Allies from making satisfactory dispositions for the defence of their agreed attitude. Entrenched British troops are defending Chanak and the entrance to the Bosphorus, whence the French and Italians were withdrawn recently in order to strenj£ then the Gallipoli garrison, and British destroyers are lying off Constantinople. The general commanding declares that the British line can hold any attack. Kemal could use the railway from Ismid along the Marmara Sea coast of the peninsula to Scutari, for a direct drive to the capital. Therefore, the British infantry and air force, supported by the Allied fleet, are holding a strong line on the peninsula. The Allied /troops are with ours here, which has a better moral effect than the new dispositions at the Dardanelles. In Constantinople itself rising disturbances will be suppressed by machine-guns, which no undisciplined Turkish mob can withstand for long. Reinforcements have already arrived and more infantry, cavalry, tanks, aircraft, submarines and cruisers from the Atlantic fleet are en route. Refugee Russians declare their conviction that Kemal is plotting with the Russians for military support. Local Turks addressed the Sheik ul Islam demanding the annulment of the capital sentence passed on Kemal two and a-half years ago, which is declared necessary to preserve the prestige of the Shiek ul Islamate in the Moslem world. THE ONLY HOPE. SATISFACTION OF ANGORAN CLAIMS. A highly-placed Paris political personage states that the French Cabinet is ready to respond to the British Cabinet’s appeal and will do its utmost to influence Kemal Pasha to satisfy the British, but the only hope of such success is to assure the Angora Government that its claims will be largelv satisfied. . [Note—The claims are embodied in the Angoran national pact, the terms of which are published on 3 of this issue.] BRITISH CHANAK DEFENDERS INSUFFICIENT TO RESIST MASSED ATTACK. Militarv circles declare that the British Cabinet is aware that the Turks wish to seize the Dardanelles the 12.000 to 15.000 British at Chanak could not prevent them nor prevent the Turks moving against B'gh“- « is also declared that the British fleet would not dare remain in the Straits or the Black Sea for fear of being bottled up. The Turks possess mobile artillery which could cause much trouble' to the British fleet.—(A. and N.Z.) Discussions in paris. .' STRATEGIC WEAKNESS OF CHANAK. STRESSED BY FRENCH PRESIDENT. London. September 21. A semi-official account of the proceedings at the Foreign Ministers con-