THE NEAR EAST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18352, 16 September 1921, Page 5

THE NEAR EAST

* CONSTANTINOPLE PLOT. A WIDESPREAD CONSPIRACY THE POSITION SERIOUS, Pres« Association —By Telegraph—Copyright CONSTANTINOPLE, September 14. The Council of High Commissioners decided to demand the arrest of a brother of the Foreign Minister in the Turkish Cabinet, who is considering his resignation, but Izzet Pasha wishes to-avoid this, as he himself fears arrest. The local Turkish Commander and the Prefect of Police are said to be implicated in the plot. The names on the list drawn up by the conspirators include the British, French, and Italian High Commissioners. A. and N.Z. Cable.

LONDON, September 14. (Received Sept. 15, at 5.5 p.m.) Telegrams from General Harrington show that the Constantinople plot is widespread. None of the leaders were arrested, but the persons detained were found to bo in touch with the Kemalists. They endeavoured to play on the Moslem feelings of the Indian troops, amongst whom large quantities of seditious pamphlets were distributed. They also aimed at the assassination of the Sheik-Islam and other prominent Turkish officials, as well as the All if 1 military leaders. The situation undoubtedly is serious, but there is reason to believe that the movemapt has been stopped in time. GREECE’S ASPIRATIONS. MOSLEMS MISJUDGE GREAT - BRITAIN. '

OPPORTUNITY TO REMEDY OUR MISTAKES. LONDON, September 15. (Received Sept. 15, at 5.5 p.m.) The Turkish situation is attracting much attention. The Daily Express states that the Greek offensive failed, but the full extent cannot be stated, because the Greek have a strangle hold on the cables. The Greeks get rto sympathy in their misfortunes. They went to war to get their full pound of flesh. Great Britain committed an error in allowing them to do so, as every Moslem thought w© were backing tho Greeks against the Turks. Now is the opportunity to remedy our mistake. Tho war in Asia Minor must be

stamped out, and justice done in regard to legitimate Turkish claims.” —A, and N.Z. Cable. MOSLEM UNITY. A FIERY SPEECH. LONDON, September 15. . (Received Sept. 15, at 5.5 p.m.) The Morning Post’s Constantinople correspondent states that at a great meeting of Moslems the Afghan Ambassador made a fiery speech, declaring that Turkey

was being attacked because it was Moslem. He said it was regrettable that owing to distance the Moslem countries could not aid one another. The effervescence in Afghanistan, India, Tunis, and Algeria showed that the movement for Moslem unity was extending.—A. and N.Z. Cable. GEEEN OFFENSIVE FAILS. TURKS DISPLAY GREAT VALOUR.

RIGID CENSORSHIP BY GREECE. FRANTIC EEFOETS TO HIDE THE TRUTH. LONDON, September 15. (Received Sept. 15, at 5.5 p.m.) The Daily Express’s special correspondent in "Constantinople mailed a despatch in order to escape the Greek censorship. He says: “The Greeks are retreating, having failed to capture Angora, and have suffered terrible losses in killed, wounded, and sick, dysentery and other diseases. The offensive has cost Greece at least 10.000 men. If the Turks had sufficient efficient transport they would sweep the Greeks into the sea. The Turkish victory was gained by sheer valour and good generalship, for they were opposed to an enemy far superior m numbers and equipment. The Turks had practically no aeroplanes. The fighting at Sakaria River was of a most desperate character, but few details lire to hand. If anyone supposes that the Islamic world is going to be subdued through the Greeks he is making a big mistake. The Greek Governmerit is making frantic efforts to hide the truth.”—A. and N.Z. Cable.