KEMAL’S CONFERENCE TERMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18673, 30 September 1922, Page 7

KEMAL’S CONFERENCE TERMS.

THE GREEK REVOLUTION. CONSTANTINE’S ABDICATION. ATHENS, September 28. The latest reports state that everything is quiet. A committee Of three revolutionary generals took charge of the city after a war vessel which was full of revolutionary troops arrived at Laurium. Friendly demonstrations were made before the British Legation. • The 'Salonika revolution was peacefully carried out in concert with the Mitylene movement. Constantine, in his abdication message to the people, expressed himself as happy that fresh occasion had been given to him to sacrifice himself for Greece. It is not considered likely that his offer to place himself at the head of the army will be accepted. Constantino, in a message to the Greek people, said that while he had acted to the best of his ability in Greece’s interests, he felt it necessary to make way for Prince George. He appealed to the people to support the latter. If they desired it, Constantine said he would gladly fight With the Greek army.—A. and N.Z. Cable. INSURGENTS IN ATHENS. A BLOODLESS VICTORY. ATHENS, September 28. Insurgent troops, after landing at Pireeus,, occupied Athens without bloodshed. The Royalists made attempts to resist, hut the insurgents, backed by the Venizelist elements of the population, seized the public buildings and remained masters of the situation. Constantine, realising the impossibility of resistance, countermanded his preparations against the revolutionary movement. —Reuter. REVOLUTIONARIES’ SUCCESS. LONDON, September 28. (Received Sept. 29, at 7.45 p.m.) The Daily Chronicle’s correspondent at Athens states that during the afternoon of September 27 General Constantinopolos (commander of the troops in the _ Athens district) attempted a reaction against the revolution, but the revolutionists and Venizelists took possession of the Prefecture of Police. The revolutionaries arrested General Stoutos, whose troops retreated after several had been wounded. The revolutionaries then marched through the streets of Athens carrying portraits of M. Venizelos. . . General Nieder, the future Prime Minister, commanded the Greek troops under General Sarrail during the war. He is a great friend of M. Venizelos, and was commanding the Second Army Corps when he was dismissed recently.—A. and N.Z. Cable. PRINCE GEORGE. TAKES OATH OF ALLEGIANCE. HEAVY-WEIGHT KING OF EUROPE. BELGRADE, September 28. It is reported on good authority that the Crown Prince has accepted the throne. —A. and N.Z. Cable. LONDON, September 28. If the Crown Pririce succeeds to the throne of Greece he will probably be known as the heavy-weight king of Europe. Ho stands 6ft sin and weighs 19)st. Though he is athletic, he is of a studious disposition. He served for several years in the Greek navy, and also underwent naval training in England. Unlike Constantine, he is not a pro-German.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ' , ATHENS, September 28. The Crown Prince took the oath of allegiance to the Constitution as George 11. A. and N.Z. Cable. AN UNCONFIRMED REPORT. CONSTANTINE-A PRISONER. PARIS, September 28. It is reported from Geneva that the Greek delegation to the League of Nations was advised that the revolutionaries had taken Constantine prisoner, also that a Cabinet Minister had been killed.—'Reuter. WARNING TO TURKS. ALLIES’ POLICY UNCHANGED. PARIS, September 28. A semi-official message states: “The Greek revolution will not change the Allies’ policy as regards Turkey,. but it warns the latter not to preiudice the position by military measures on the European shore of the Straits, thereby possibly committing a tactical error which would strongly affect the present negotiations.”— A. and N.Z. Cable.

THE POSITION SUMMARISED VENIZELOS WILLING TO RETURN. PARIS, September 28. Victoire declares that in the present state of Europe, which is the result of the Great War and Russian Bolshevism, it is quite impossible, under the pretext of Constantine’s dismissal and Venizelos's recall, to return to the 1919 position between Turkov and Greece. The latter must take the conseonences of her mistake in dismissing; Yenizelos in 1920 and recalling the murderer of Allied sailors.

STRATEGIC POINTS OCCUPIED IN MEANTIME. LONDON, September 28. (Received Sept. 29, at 8.30 p.m.) The Daily Express’s Constantinople correspondent states that Kernel’s reply to the Allies will be delayed a few days until it has been discussed by the Angora Assembly, to which a draft has been forwarded. The correspondent adds: “I am able to indicate the lines of reply: (1) The Turks will lay down their arms before the opening of_ the Coflference, but they now occupy strategic points in order to be in a, position to enforce the national pact in respect to Thrace. (2) The movements of British troops must be suspended and a pledge given not to construct fortifications in neutral zones. (5) Thrace must bo occupied before the full Conference meets. (4) There must be no. demilitarisation of the' coast of the Sea of Marmora or Thrace except in the Dardanelles, the neutrality of which is accepted. (5) The Straits question shall be discussed between the Allies, Turks, Russia, and the countries bordering on the Black Sea. , (6) The right is reserved of further discussion of certain points in the Allied terms. If the National Assembly approves of these points, the Nationalists will agree to an armistice conference at Mudania, to be followed three days later by a full conference in Smyrna, at which Kemal will be the chief Turkish delegate. Meanwhile, the Turkish invasion of the neutral zone is extending. Our detachments leave as the Turkish detachments arrive, in order to avoid a conflict. The Turks are taking every precaution to observe peace.”—A. and N.Z. Cable.

Interviewed at Deauville, M. Venizelos's secretary said that if Constantine leaves Greece and a new Cabinet invites Vehizelos to return, the latter will take the first train to Athens. It is "Believed that SI. Venizelos is the only man who will be able to keep Thrace for Greece, the retention of which involves Greece’s economic life or death. _M. Venizelos is heartbroken at seeing his life work in building up a Greater Greece dissipated.—A. and N.Z. Cable. JUGO-SLAYIA. j A CAUTIOUS POLICY. BELGRADE, September 28. It is authoritatively stated that Jugo* Slavia will not send an expedition to Turkey unless Hungary and Bulgaria disarm their frontiers. —A. and N.Z. Cable. THE NEUTRAL ZONES. ■ GENERAL HARINGTON’S REPLY TO KEMAL. LONDON, September 28. The .Morning Post’s Constantinople correspondent says that General Harington’s reply to Kemal’s Note points out that ft is the first intimation of any misunderstanding concerning the neutral zones, which the Kemalist army commander helped to mark out. The reply adds:■■'Rl am willing to meet you if any misunderstanding exists. The British reinforcements are solely in the interests of peace”* —A. and N.Z. Cable. KEMALIST MOVEMENTS. BRITISH FORCES BAFFLED. LONDON, September 28. (Received Sept. 29, at 7.45 p.m.) What is going on behind Kemal’s invading cavalry screen is a question which' has been baffling the British forces for several days, but.it will soon be solved, as ,a large number of aeroplanes have arrived. With reinforcements from Egypt and Malta, it is estimated that 60 machines will be available, and these will be able to make reconnaissances. So far this has not been attempted, in order to avoid clashes. If it is found that Kemal is massing big guns, such action can only he regarded as a distinct threat ■ against the British,, necessitating immediate action. CHANAK ZONE.

TURKS 1 PUZZLING MOVEMENTS. ' NO SIGN OF AGGRESSION. "T? LONDON, September 28. (Received Sept. 29, at 7.45 p.m.) The Morning Post’s Constantinople correspondent states: “A doubtful position still prevails in the Chanak zone. The Kemalist cavalry continue to filter in ‘ all round our posts in bands of 100 to 200 under the white flag or with rifles Reversed whenever near our troops. Their number now amounts to about 3000 altogether. There is no sign, of aggression, but our situation is most difficult from a military point of view, as the Turks’ movements are naturally an excellent means of reconnoitring. Meanwhile, our detachments move freely between the Kemalist units. A detachment ’of 2000 Kemalists who on Monday assumed ports at Eren-f keuy (eight miles from Chanak) have left, but are still inside the neutral zqrie. Others have advanced due east of Chanak and have assumed positions on Sirtepe Hill. Others again have occupied Lapsaki, while yet others came in between Bigha and Karabigha, cutting off Chanak from Bigha. There is no indication of any guns or strong concentrations outside the neutral zone.—A. and N.Z. Cable. PROPOSED CONFERENCE. , ANGORA DISCUSSES ALLIED NOTE' ’ PARIS. September 28.. t The National Assembly at Angora is considering the Allied Note, but the nature of the reply is not yet known. Authoritative quarters state that the Allied Note produced an unfavourable impression, on the ground that it was insufficiently clear and definite regarding Thrace and the future of the Straits. A message from Berlin states that several hundred ex-non-commi.-sioned officers of the German army were sent to Turkey , during last week by a Turco-German organisation, whose existence was recently discovered.—A. and N.Z. Gable.

TURKISH HAGGLING. _ A POLICY OF CRAB. NATIONALISTS UPBRAID KEMAL. x, JULIAN A PREY TO MELANCHOLY. LONDON, September 28. (Received Sept. 29, at 7.45 p.m.) Mr Martin Donohoe telegraphs from Constantinople: “Haggling is part of the Turkish character. - Concede everything the Tufk asks and he immediately propounds further demands. The Allied Conference having behaved much more generously than any Kemalist expected, several Nationalists are now upbraiding Kemal for erring on the side Of moderation. Meantime the Kemalists persist in sitting down on the wrong side of the neutral frontier. Their cavalry are holding three points. , They are not a large force, but big enough to precipitate war. With soldiers less cool-headed than the British, bloodshed would have ensued days aco, but happily reinforcements reached Chanak, exercising a moral effect on the bellicose Kemalists. I went to the Yildiz Kiosk, where I saw weeds peeping between the paving-stones in the palace yard. I found the Sultan a nrey to the blackest melancholy and leading’ the life of a recluse. All attempts made to rouse him from his lethargy have failed. His only visitor is a doctor, and he finds comfort in reading the Koran. With the fatalism of his race, the Sultan awaits the end, -whether It be a pass to paradise in the shape of a bowstring or a passport to exile.”—A. and !N.Z. Cable. [The Sultan. Mohammed VL was born on January 27, 1861. and is the son of Sultan Abdul Medjid. He succeeded tb the throne on the death of his eldelr brother, Sultan Mohammed V, on July 5, 1918. - The Heir Apparent is Abdul Medjid - Effendi, cousin of the Sultan. He was born on May 25, 1868.]

■ "dominions’ representation. MR MASSEY’S VIEWS. (Fsoit Oub Own Cohresp.ondent.) WELLINGTON, September 29. Is it intended that the dominion shall be; "represented at the conference that is about to be held in connection with' the Near Eastern trouble? asked Mr R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs):- in,fhs Hdusd' this afternoon. The Prime Minister replied that no arrangements had been made. Cabinet had not had an opportunity of considering the question, hut seeing that a member of the -Ministry (Sir Francis Bell) .and an; .exmember of the Ministry (Sir • James'’Afllen) j-.-yere in Great Britain at the present time, bis own opinion was that New Zealandought to be represented if the conference took place. Mr T. M. Wilford (Hutt); I think we should leave it to Great Britain. Mr Massey: lam quite satisfied to leave it to Great Britain; but when we have tw& men- there quite qualified to- representus I don’t think it would be a proper thing to ■, omit the representation of ..this- country. ' RUSSIA’S ATTITUDE. NOT LIKELY TO SUPPORT TURKEY. LONDON, September 28. The Daily (Express's Constantinople correspondent attributes the delay in refining Angara’s attitude to the growing belief that the Russians do not intend seriously to support the Kemalists’ attempt to expel ■ the Allies. Russia’s ; decision :is: duo' to recognition that Franco-Kemalist agree., ment is inimical to Russian interests.—A., and N.Z. Cable. THE REFUGEE PROBLEM. BRITAIN CHARTERS 15 SHIRS.; , LONDON, September '2B;' ’ The Government is urgently endeavouring, to persuade Kemal to postpone the date of the conference to September 30, after which the Greeks and Armenians will''not be allowed to leave Smyrna. Tearing for the fate of the surplus of 200,000 who are unable to escape before September .30, Britain - has chartered 15 ships to take.off the refugees, and is,faced with the problem of how to feed and ■where to despatch them. The American admiral (Bristol) is closely co-operating. —Reuter. WEAR EAST RELIEF FUND. CANADA’S CONTRIBUTION. GENEVA, September 28. Mr W T . S. Fielding (Canadian delegate ’' at the Geneva meeting of the League of Nations) announced that the Canadian Government is contributing £500.0 to .the., Near East relief fund.—A. and N.Z. Cable. CREEK WARSHIP. IN THE SEA OF MARMORA. LONDON, September 28. (Received Sept. 29, at 8.30 p.m.) : The Morning Post reports that the Greek flagship -Giorgios Averoff, which left Constantinople under British pressure, is now •in .the-Sea of Marmora,—A. and N.Z. Cable. p A THITIOCAL RESPONSE. ’'Quietness again prevailed' at , the Kensington Recruiting Office yesterday.’when about 12 additional recruits Were enlisted. ■— - ■.