TURKISH OCCUPATION OF ERENKEUI.

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

TURKISH OCCUPATION OF ERENKEUI.

BOLD RECONNAISSANCE OF BRITISH POSITION. MORE TROOPS MOVING ON KARABIGHA. LONDON. Sept. 26. The Times correspondent at Chanak telegraphs:-—" The Turkish re-entry into the neutral zone has outwardly intensified the seriousness of the station. Turkish machine-guns are mounted at .Krenkeui, as well as on the slopes below. The Turks' attitude is nonaggressive, but determined. It is evident that fire will be opened if the British advance. " Despite provocation, the British troops are steady and selfcontrolled- During the day small Turkish patrols advanced within a thousand yards of our patrols. When challenged they raised a white flag, reiterating that they had no wish to commence hostilities against the' British. Turkish officers reused absolutely to meet the British commanders, stating that their orders forbade them. Turkish mounted patrols evade capture if approached by mounted men, but permit dismounted troops to approach and parley. " Simultaneously a mounted patrol of Turks was moved northward to within five miles of Chanak defences. One patrol approached a British observation post under a white flag. The officer, speaking English, asked a British non-commissioned officer whether the Chanak defences were wired, how many guns the British had mounted, and how many ships were in support. The non-commissioned officer replied that he had no definite knowledge, but the positions were strongly wired. . , " This extraordinary bold reconnaissance and deliberate reoccupation of Erenkeui outwardly gives the impression that Kemal intends to challenge the Empire, but it is considered that the Turks do not intend to force the issue- In any case our defences are ready, and there is every reason to suppose that the attackers would be checked sufficiently to avoid bloodshed. ,'..,, " Later in the afternoon Turks from Bigha violated the neutral line moving due west. They then commenced to close on the port of Karabigha. This is held by a British detachment of 30 men, with two destroyers in close support." Constantinople reports state that the Turkish Nationalists are continuing to mass troops on the borders of the neutral zone. If the armistice negotiations drag on it is likely that Kemal will argue that this will give the Greeks time to garrison Thrace, a-ad he will demand permission to cross the Straits, threatening hostilities if refused. The arrival of reinforcements has undoubtedly eased the strain, but the uncertainty al>out Kemal's policy and still more the intentions of the Bolsheviks necessitate a continuance of vigilance and preparation. There is little doubt that the Turkish advance on the neutral zone is due to the withdrawal of the French and Italians.