THE NEAR EAST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18656, 11 September 1922, Page 5

THE NEAR EAST

WAR IN ASIA MINOR. TURKS CLOSING ON SMYRNA Ptom Association— By Telegraph-Copyright PARIS, September 8. It ia reported that the Greek northern army has, been completely defeated, and is retreating, abandoning all material. The Turkish cavalry has entered Bergama, 58 miles north of Smyrna. One column reached the iEgean coast, and two others are marching on Smyrna. Five American destroyers have arrived at Smyrna.—A. and N.Z. Cable. PARIS, September 9. Three army corps belonging to the Greek northern army were annihilated, the commanding officer being wounded and taken prisoner.—A. and N.Z. Cable. GREEK FORCES IN SMYRNA. ENTIRE SURRENDER TO BE DEMANDED. PARIS, September 8. It is reported that the Turkish commander has demanded the surrender of the entire Greek forces in Smyrna, which city the Turks expected to reach on Saturday. Turkish aeroplanes are flying over Smyrna dropping propaganda leaflets, and also announcing that the Turks will not bo responsible for any damage to the city arising out of resistance to their advance. —A. and N.Z. Cable. KEMALIBT GOVERNMENT’S POLICY. EXCITEMENT IN SMYRNA, GREEKS HURRIEDLY EVACUATING CITY. PARIS, September 9. (Received Sept. 10, at 11.5 p.m.) Ahmed Djevid Bey, representing the Kemalist Government in Paris, states that the Turks will dear the Dardanelles no matter what troops are occupying it. Turkey will insist upon having possession of Constantinople, Adrianople, and Thrace. The Greek administration in Smyrna departed on Friday after handing over the city to the Allied Consuls, who sent a wireless message to Kemal Pasha asking him to arrange for the passage of the Allied officers through the Turkish lines in order to enable them to discuss with him the peaceful occupation of the city. The Greeks are making strenuous efforts to evacuate their troops from Smyrna and other parte before the. Turks arrive. There is much excitement in the city, where there are over 200,000 refugees. "Many of these are short of food, and some are starving. The British and American warships landed patrols to maintain order. — A. and N.Z. Cable. FALL OF SMYRNA. REPORTED BY WIRELESS. CONSTANINOPLE, September 9. (Received Sept. 10, at 11.5 p.m.) A wireless message from the front reports the surrender of Smyrna.—A. and N.Z. Cable. GREEK OFFICERS SURRENDER. COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CAPTURED. PARIS, September 9. (Received Sept. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) Five hundred officers surrendered with General Tricoupis, owing to the disorganisation of the Greek forces and the absence of news from Athens concerning the movements of the armies. When tho Greek Cabinet appointed him Commander-in-Chief, General Tricoupis learned of his appointment from tho Turks.—A. and N.Z. Cable. OFFER BY GREEKS. WILLING TO EVACUATE ASIA. CONSTANTINOPLE, September 8. The Allied Governments have informed the Angora Government that the Greeks are willing immediately to evacuate Asia if an armistice is concluded.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ■ GREEK CABINET RESIGNS. ARMY COMMAND CHANGED. ATHENS, September 8. The Cabinet has resigned. The King has requested M. Calogeroupolos to form a Cabinet. General Polynenakos will succeed General Tricoupis as Coraroander-in-Chief. —A. and N.Z. Cable. [The Cabinet was formed on May 15 under M. Stratos, who took the portfolio of War.] GREEK POLITICAL SITUATION. RETURN OF M. VENIZELOS CANVASSED. LONDON, September 10. (Received Sept. 10, at 11.6 p.m.) The newspaper Observer states that Greek circles regard King Constantine’s selection pf M. Calogeroupolos as Premier as a first step towards bringing back M. Venizelos. It is suggested that King Constantine, in the interests of Greece, may abdicate in favour of the Crown Prince,, with whom M. Venizelos is willing to co-operate if he is recalled to Athens, but he will not co-operate with King Constantine. It is considered probable that the Allies are exerting pressure to bring about the recall of M. Venizelos to deal with the crisis.—A. and N.Z. Cable. SAFETY OF CHRISTIANS. PARIS, September 8. Tho Matin states that Kemal Pasha has forbidden the Turkish troops to harm the Christians under penalty of death.—A. and N.Z. Cable PROVISION FOR REFUGEES. ATHENS, September 8. A violent Turkish land and sea attack on Geumlek (on the Sea of Marmora) was repulsed. The Greeks have taken up positions round Smyrna. Thirty ships are ready to remove the refugees.—A. and N.Z. Cable.