BRITISH CIVILIANS LEAVING CONSTANTINOPLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18207, 28 September 1922, Page 7

BRITISH CIVILIANS LEAVING CONSTANTINOPLE.

SULTAN IN BREAD OF DEPOSITION. BOLSHEVIKS INFLAMING TURKS TO RIOT. A- sad N.Z. (R«c«iTed 4.5 pan.) LONDON. Sept. 26. Mr. Martin Donohoe, the Daily Chronicle's correspondent at Constantinople, says: "It is idle to close one's eyes to the fact that Mustapha KeraaJ appears to be riding for a fall. He is flushed with victory, and 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 counter proposals embrace the inclusion of Bulgaria and Soviet Russia in the peace conference, and the right of Turkey to fortify the shores of the Sea of Marmora. He is also disinclined to agree beforehand to the demilitarisation of the Dardanelles. Moreover, Kemal says that the cessation of Turkish . military operations is contingent upon Britain abstaining from sending military reinforcements to Turkey, so that the arrival of British transports now on the way may precipitate a crisis. " Owing to Kemal's bellicose attitude, the British authorities 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 Turks who are deeply compromised owing to their anti-Nationalist proclivities. "Panic prevail!; at the Yildi Kiosk. The Sultan was overcome when his Ministers announced their resignations owing to Kemal announcing his intention to appoint a Nationalist Grand Vizier at Constantinople to represent the Angora Government. Hamed Bey is certain to be the Nationalist Grand Vizier. Mehemet VI. is living in hourly dread of deposition, owing to his pro-Ally sympathies. The 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 Abdul Aziz who committed suicide." Reuter's correspondent at Constantinople states that many journalists and 10,000 Greeks are frantically applying for passports to leave Constantinople. Lady Harington and the wives of 16 superior officers have departed. Mr. G. Ward Price, telegraphing from Constantinople, says that though the apprehensions of the Greek and Armenian population have decreased as a result of Allied offers to Mustapha Kemal, there is fear that the Bolsheviks, whose organisation is widespread, may start riots, hoping to precipitate an outbreak of hostilities before their Turkish associates can be detached. Pamphlets in Turkish are being largely circulated urging the Turks to cut the throats of ail Englishmen and Tzarist Russians.