IN ASIA MINOR

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11006, 15 September 1921, Page 6

IN ASIA MINOR

FORGES EXHAUSTED BRITAIN’S ATTITUDE REGARDING MEDIATION. POSITION OBSCURE. By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, September 13. The Foreign Office, in a survey of tihe position in Asia Minor, says that both the Greeks and the Turks are exhausted, and unable to advance. The 'Turks had depended mainly for their supplies of arms and gold from the exBolsheviks, who, in Spite of their asking the Allies for forty millions sterling, seemed to have plenty of money for propaganda, and had sent large quantities of ammunition, which enabled. the Turks to continue their resistance, On the other hand, the Greeks were handicapped, because of Britain’s embargo on munitions going to either side. Britain was not prepared to mediate until both countries were ready to accent, its previous offers of mediation having been refused. The Foreign Office statement ’. describes the position in Asia Minor as obscure and unsatisfactory. Britain had to rely on the communiques of both sides .pending their verification. The position is how practically a deadlock, and neither side could progress. Discussing the progress of the- warfare, the Foreign Office pointed out that after the Greeks had made a succession of strong attacks, tihe Turks entrenched along the line of the Sakaria river, and occupied practically impregnable positions in the mountains overlooking the winding river. In some places they were entrenched three thousand feet above the river level. The Greeks advanced a considerable distance over the river, but their progress towards Angora was held up. The Turks, at the end of July, fearing that Angora, was about to be captured, prepared to move their seat of Government to K aisarieh, but they stopped the operations at the last moment. TURKS ATTACK (n FORCE SUCCESS CLAIMED BY GREEKS. (Received September 14, 8 p.m.) ATHENS, September 12. A communique states: ‘‘The epomy attacked otir centre and left in great strength, but were repulsed.”