GREEKS AND KEMALISTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 491, 1 September 1922, Page 5

GREEKS AND KEMALISTS.

CAPTURE OF ESKISHEHR. MUCH EQUIPMENT ABANDONED. Received September 1, 10.40 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 31. Turkish advices claim that they havo raptured Eskishehr, the Greeks sustaining heavy losses and having abandoned much equipment. "PRODIGIOUS ERRORS." BEING PAID FOR IN BLOOD. Received September 1, 10.40 a.m. PARIS, Aug. 31. The newspapers declare that the Rem* alist successes will have considerable influenee on the proposed Near East Conference's action. The Francais says that the prodigious errors of Mr Lloyd George and Lord Curzon with regard to Turkey are being paid for in blood.—A. and N.Z. cable. BRITISH STEAMER S'EIZED. LADEN WITH CONTRABAND. Received September 1, 10.40 a.m, ATHENS, Aug. 31. It is reported that a British steamer lias been captured oft' Ismid laden with contraband.—A. and N.Z, cable. NEW ENTERPRISES NOT DESIRED Received September 1, 10.40 a.m. ATHENS, Aug. 31. A semi-official newspaper states that the Government has approved of the opinion of the commander-in-chief in Asia Minor that the army there should not embark upon new enterprises at the present moment. —A. and N.Z. cable. RESULT OF RECENT BATTLE. TURKS’ EXAGGERATED CLAIMS. LONDON, Aug. 31. The Greek authorities in London are busy with propaganda. They claim that the Turk* are greatly exaggerating the result of the recent battle. While admitting that the two principal wings of the Greek army have no longer direct railway communication, it is stated that they teinnin in contact with each other. Recalling the claim that the Greeks occupied Smyrna by Allied instructions, the authorities insist that their forces are retained in Asia Minor because vhe\ are the sole protectors of the Christian population. The Greeks declare that if the troops are withdrawn the Christians will be left to a terrible fate because the Allied powers do not provide any alternative protection. —A. and N.Z. cable. PLANS OF NATIONALISTS. GREEKS NOT OPTIMISTIC. LONDON, Aug. 31. Cairo reports state that a wireless from Constantinople says the Nationalist offensive appears to have been planned with t]tt eye to the coming peace conference at Vienna in the hope that the Turks will be able to say, "We can expel the Greeks front Asia Minor if left alone." The tone of the latest Greek communique is not optimistic, especially in reference to the unexpected artillery strength of the Nationalists, who are known to have received large supplies of munitions, numerous aircraft, and other equipment from France during the last three months. Several hundred Greek wounded troops have arrived at Smyrna from the interior.—A. and N.Z. cable. ADVANCE OF THE TURKS, "Tar IS, Aug. 31. Advices from Angora are jubilant in tone. One communique claims that the Turks are advancing everywhere, capturing prisoners. The Greeks are fleeing, abandoning great quantities of material. An unconfirmed telegram reports that the Turks occupied Eskishehr. On the contrary, an Athens semi-official message states that the evacuation of Afuiu Karnhissar was carried out in perfect order and all material withdrawn to the new line, from which the Greek artillery dominates the town. All Greeks of the 1903 class ip the occupied territories have been called to the colours.—A. and N.Z. cable. STRENGTH OF ®£MAL’S ARMY. MORALE SAID TO BE WONDERFUL. LONDON, Aug. 30. General Townshend, on being interviewed by the Daily Express, said Mastapha Rental's olfensive could have been expected, after Mr Lloyd George’s recent Near East speech, which killed all hope of peace. “It was to try to stop war that I saw Rental. 1 do not think the British Government has any idea of the fighting value of Rental's army. Their morale is wonderful. They are as united and determined as one man, and possess plenty of ammunition, together with guns and rifles used in the Great War, their factory at Angora having replaced ail the breechblocks surrendered to the Allies at the tune of the armistice. Turkish artisans, us the result of German tuition during the late war are pow making breechblocks out of locomotive wheels and adapting Russian projectiles to Turkish guns.- Britain and France must of necessity march together as regards tfie Near East, So long as Franco is pro-Turk apd Britain pro Greek, wo cannot hope for peace.”—A. and N.Z cable.