SETBACK TO GREEKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17889, 17 September 1921, Page 7

SETBACK TO GREEKS.

SITUATION UNCERTAIN.

HURRIED RETREAT REPORTED.

DENIAL BY " GREEKS^ '

By Telegraph—Press., AssociatjonrrCopyright. A. and N.Z. * ~ LONDON. Sept.' 15. " The diplomatic correspondent Of J the Daily Telegraph expresses the < opinion that the Greek army has been fought to | a standstill, bat be states that ; there ii j no evidence to" support the Turkish claim that tae Greeks are in full retreat/ - The Greeks assert that 1 they are only waiting for reinforcements before' essaying another bid for Angora. '~ The correspondent of the Daily Express at Constantinople telegraphs : "The Greek losses are much heavier than I cabled. I now learn-that they- had at least 20,000 killed, wounded; or sick; Ah attempt to outflank the Turkish left proved a disastrous failure, and forced the Greek, general staff to launch a powerful offensive against the enemy's centre, which failed. Finally the Greeks -Attempted to outflank the right* but this movement fared even worse owing to the absence of roads. The Turkish counter-offensive is not likely to be successful owing to the lack of transport, but the Greeks must retreat to Eskishehr before the equinoctial rains transform the roads into morasses. A message from Constantinople received in Para/eaffirms that the Greeks are retreating and abandoning their wounded and war material.