THE NEAR EAST

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 244, 28 September 1922, Page 5

THE NEAR EAST

Situation Still Ugly TURKS DEFIANT IN NEUTRAL ZONE. KING CONSTANTINE ABDICATES. I By Cable.—Press Association.— Copyright.] Constantinople, Sept. 26. The Turkish cavalry which entered The Chanak neutrality zone in two places has established machine-gun positions, apparently preparing for a prolonged stay. They have been warned that if they do not retire they will be driven out.—(A. and N.Z.) FLUSHED WITH VICTORY. KEMAL AND HIS FANATICAL FIGHTERS. London, September 26. Mr. M. H. Donohoe, the “Daily Chronicle’s” correspondent at Constantinople. says: “It is idle to close one’s eyes to the fact that Kemal apBears8 ears to be ridina for a fall. He is ushed with victory. His army is composed of fanatical fighters who clamour to be led to reconquer Constantinople, which is a tempting prize. “I understand that Kemal's counterproposals embrace the inclusion of Bulgaria and Soviet Rusia in the peace confrence, the right of Turkey to fortify the shores of the Sea of Marmara, and a disinclination to agree beforehand to the demilitarisation of the Dardanelles. “Moreover, Kemal says the cessation of Turkish military operations is contingent upon Britain abstaining from sending military reinforcements to Turkey, so the arrival of British transports now on the wav may precipitate a crisis. Owing to Kemal’s bellicose attitude the British are arranging for the repatriation of nationals, including Indians, Maltese, and commercial men to the number of 5000. All foreigners are now leaving Constantinople, also the Turks are deeply compromised <flving to their anti-nationalist proclivities. “Panic prevails at the'Yildi Kiosk, the Sultan being overcome when the Ministers announced their resignations owing to Kemal announcing his intention to appoint a National Grand Vizier at Constantinople to represent the Angora Government. Hamed Bey is certain to be the National Grand Vizier. Muhammad VI. is living in hourly dread of deposition owing to his pro-Ally sympathies. A favoured candidate for the throne is Prince Selim, who fought in the Balkan war as a cavalry officer, and has strong Nationalist leanings; also in the running is Abdul Mejid, a relative of Sultan Abdulaziz, who committed suicide. (A. and N.Z.) BOLSHEVIK ACTIVITY. ARMED SUPPORT FOB KEMAL. TROOPS FOR CONSTANTINOPLE. London, September 2 7 The “Morning Post’s” Helsingfors correspondent states that advices from Moscow report great activity at the Bolshevik headquarters since the opening of Kemal's offensive against the Greeks The Soviet Government has decided to send armed support to Kemal in the event of a conflict with the British, it is rumoured that Moscow* is urging Kemal to display a recalcitrant attitude. promising him military and financial support. M. Kameneff has gone to the Caucasus to arrange for the transport of troops to Constantinople via Angora. It is reported that Kalanin, disapproving of help being Sent to Kemal, which was done under Trotsky’s influence. has resigned from the central executive. Bucharin succeeding him.— (A. and N.Z.) M. Berzis, the Soviet’s assistant official representative in London, called at the Foreign Office and emphasised the point that while Russia desired a peaceful settlement, she could not accept an international decision reached in her absence on a subject so vital to commerce as the defence of the Straits —(A. and N.Z.) THE ALLIES* LENIENCY. IRRITATES SERBIA. Belgrade, Sept. 26. Indication is intensifying throughout Serbia at the Allies’ readiness to give the Turks Adrianople and Eastern Thrace.—(A. and N.Z.) CREEK REVOLUTUION. TINO AGAIN ABDICATES. SUCCEEDED BY CROWN PRINCE. Athens, Sept. 26. The Ministry, has resigned and Constantine has abdicated in favour of the Crown Prince.—(A. and N.Z.) London, Sept. 27. Messages from Athens indicate revolutionary movements in Salonika. Mitylene and Ijarissa. A crisis is develop! ng,—(Ren ter.) INDIANS IN LONDON. OPPOSE BRITISH POLICY. (Received 28, 8.45 a.m.) London, Sept. 27. A public meeting of Indians residing in London, held at Essex Hall, protested against the Government’s Near Eastern policy, which speakers described as provocative and calculated to plunge the Near East into another racial war. Settlement should be by negotiation. The meeting passed a resolution that no terms which interfered with the full sovereign rights of the Turkish state, or derogated from the freedom of the Sultan as Khalifa, and as custodian of holv places, would be acceptable to the King’s Indian subjects.—(A. and N.Z.) A FITTING GALLIPOLI MEMORIAL CANAL THROUGH BULAIR ISTHMUS. London. Sept. 27. (Received 28. 8.55 turn.) Mr. S. Upton, an engineer, writing in the “Morning Post,” suggests that a ship canal through the isthmus to Bulair (the narrow neck of Gallipoli separating the Gulf of Saros fromyihe Sea of Marmara), called Anzac Canal, would be the best wav to secure the object for which Australia and New Zealand gave so many lives. It would be for ever a fitting memorial to the heroic episode at a lesser cost than recurring wars. The so formed island of Gallipoli could then lie placed in the hands of an Anzac commission.—(A. and N.Z.)