FREEDOM OF STRAITS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 242, 26 September 1922, Page 5

FREEDOM OF STRAITS

Allies Support Britain IF KEMAL REJECTS NOTE. TURKISH ARMY RESTIVE. RUSSIAN TRIMIPS MOVING. IBy Cable.—Press Associatios.—Coiiyrtebt.) London, September 25. The "Daily Chronicle’s" Paris correspondent understands that If Kemal rejects the Allied Note, Italy and France will withdraw support from the Turks and join Britain in defending the liberty of the Straits. —(A. and N.Z.) News from Smyrna indicates that the Turkish army is getting out of hand. Officers are clamouring to be led to Constantinople and the Dardanelles and the troops are becoming fanatical. It is authoritatively reported in Riga from Moscow that all available rolling stock is being prepared to transport troops and ammunition. Northern-bound trucks are being diverted elsewhere.— {“Times.”) Allies’ Olive Branch BRITISH FORBEARANCE. FRENCH TRIBUTE TO CURZON. Paris, Sept. 25. The papers pay a tribute to Lord Curzon, whose moderation and broadmindedness preserved Anglo-French unity. There is also great praise for Britain, the “Gaulois” remarking that only a great nation was capable of Britain’s action. The papers unanimously declare that it remains for the Turks to show good faith in return for the trust that the Allies are placing in them, and warn the Turks against any excesses which might arouse the anger of the western world and deprive them of the fruits of victor?’. —(A. and N.Z.) WILL IT BE ACCEPTED. ANGORA’S DANGEROUS ATTITUDE. London, Sept. 25. The “Morning Post’s” Constantinople correspondent suggests that the Allies' Note will not satisfy either side. The Turks recognise the favourable terms, but the Angora Government will not accept unreservedly, especially regarding intervention in Thrace and on behalf pf minorities. It will also desire to counter-balance the presence of Roumania and Jugo-Slavia at the conference by having Russia. Ukraine and Georgia represented. It is also doubted whether the Greek army, which is now largely independent, will be willing to leave Thrace, and it is asked how the emigration of Christian Ottoman subjects from Constantinople under the Kemalist threat of persecutions will be prevented. It is also expected that Angora’s answer will reveal the extent to which the Kemalists are under Bolshevik control. The correspondent adds: “It is authoritatively stated that Angora will absolutely refect any form of control in Thrace, which must l>e restored totally and immediately to Ottoman sovereignty, and holds that there is no political or military reason why its armies should not inarch in directly and establish an effective administration. Unless this is granted the armies will pass on to Constantinople and the Straits the neutrality of which Greece has already violated. Angora is willing to give guarantees of the liberty of the Straits, but considers that the question should be excluded from the peace discussion. Consequently Angora’s armies remain ready to pursue military operations against Thrace in conformity with the programme.”—(A. and N.Z.) RUSSIA THE STUMBLING BLOCK. London, Sept. 24. Mr. G. Ward Price reports from Constantinople that it is believed there that the Allied note promising Constantinople, Adrianople, and Thrace to the Kemalists will produce agreement by the Kemalists to the proposed conference, ’but it is thought the suggestion that South Slavia and Roumania should attend may result in the Turks demanding that Russia also should participate in the negotiations.—(United Service.) NO CREEKS AT CHANAK. EARLIER REPORT DENIED. London, Sept. 24. The War Office states that the report from Constantinople that Greek soldiers embarked on two steamers at Rodosto for Chanak, to support the British, is untrue. General Harrington has not been reinforced by Greek troops, nor has any authority been issued for such assistance.—(Reuter.)