ANXIETY IN FRANCE REGARDING POSITION IN THRACE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18211, 3 October 1922, Page 7

ANXIETY IN FRANCE REGARDING POSITION IN THRACE.

KEMAL DETERMINED TO FREE ALL LOST TERRITORY.

SUFFICIENT TRANSPORT TO LAND BEST TROOPS.

REPORTED ACCEPTANCE OF SOVIET OFFER OF SHIPS.

A. and N.Z

(Received 8.25 p.m.)

LONDON. Oct. 1.

The Paris correspondent of the London Morning Post, discussing the Near East situation, says the highest political authority declares that whatever the result of the negotiations with the Kemalists, the situation in Thrace causes anxiety. France did not believe the Greeks would defend the territory against the Turks, but thought that if compelled to evacuate it they would.fire the country, when it would be impossible to prevent Kemal crossing the Straits.

A correspondent of the Figaro interviewed Kemal, who declared that he would continue his efforts until all Turkish territory was liberated, including Constantinople and Thrace, Anatolia, Mosul, and half of Mesopotamia, Asked if he did not fear a conflict with the British, he replied that he was not fighting the British, but the Greeks. Kemal said he could proceed to Thrace, via Scutari and the Elack Sea. He has sufficient transports to land the best troops in Thrace in 24 hours,. and they are only awaiting orders. The Sultan is an unimportant puppet.

Other reports declare that Kemal accepted the Soviet offer of all necessary sea transport for troops, which would be conveyed by a route avoiding the neutral zone and the British fleet.