ASIA MINOR WAR

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10993, 31 August 1921, Page 5

ASIA MINOR WAR

SITUATION OBSCURE GREEK ATTEMPT TO PIERCE THE KEMALIST FRONT FAILS. A NEW ASPECT. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Corvnght. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received August 30, 10.30 p.m.) CONSTANTINOPLE, August 29. The situation on the Anatolian front is obscure. It -is reported that the Greeks were brougbit up before the Turkish defences east of the river Sakania, which are very strongly held by considerable forces, with abundant reserves. Consequently, t-lio Greeks are advancing with great caution. Fighting hitherto has been apparently on a. small scale, except when the Greeks forced a passage of the Sfakaria river in face of determined resistance by the Turks. At the present it is not certain whether the Turks will hold the Sakaria defences or retire to Angora. A later message reports that the Kemalists claim success after a fierce two days* fight north-east of the salt desert. A Greek attempt to pierce the Kemailist front broke dawn. The Keanalists then took the offensive, and captured Biledjik, and are continuing the advance. If this report is correct the Greek flank and communications are seriously threatened. MASSACRE OF CHRISTIANS DISQUIETING NEWS FROM ANATOLIA. STORIES OF BRUTALITIES. Publish**! in "Tho TUnee.” (Received August 30, 10.30 p-J8..) CONSTANTINOPLE, August 29. Disquieting news ootmes from the interior of Anatolia. There is no doubt that the Nationalist authorities have revived the policy of the Committee of Union and Progress of massacring and deporting Greeks and Armenians. Many Greeks from the Black Sea littoral have been killed. One convoy of 900 deportees reached Sdvas with only 200 left. Some 5000 T urkish-Armenians, including women and children, were deported. Many were massacred or died on the march. The Nationalists care little far European or Ame redan opinionbut they profess to respect the opinion of the Moslems in India. The “Times” correspondent writes: “I® it too much to ask the responsible leaders of Indian Moslems to use their influence at Angora to prevent a repetition. of the horrors of 1915 and 1916? No prominent Indian voice has yet denounced Turkish tyranny over Christians.” ' "