LATE CABLE NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18674, 2 October 1922, Page 5

LATE CABLE NEWS

SOLEMN WARNING TO KEMAL, Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON. October 1. (Received Oct, 2, at 0.20 a.m.) If the declarations in the Observer and the Sunday Times, especially the latter, which is in close touch with tho Prime Minister, are taken at their face value, the Near East tension has about reached breaking point. For example, tho Sunday Times'a diplomatic article says that Kcmal’s reply is arrogant, defiant, and provocative, and justifies the British Government’s decision to bring the controversy to a head. Our rulers desired to be tolerant, patient, and forbearing, but time came when the British Lion must object to his tail being twisted. Similarly the Observer states that the limit of patience on the British side has been reached and that the concentration of the Turkish forces has passed the limits of safety. The choice before Kemal is either withdrawal or war. Such statements are obviously inspired. It is asserted that they are not mere warnings to Kemal, but that Britain must not longer be trifled with, and that they represent Cabinet’s views of the gravity of the situation. French opinion declines to believe the position so desperate. Marshal Foch’s name is again invoked in support of the contention that the Asiatic shore is only tenable against the Turks by tremendous force. Such announcements lend fjyther gravity to the position. It would seem that the Greek position made matters worse. According fo the Observer, the stumbling-block is Greece, which now hopes to save Thrace. M. Venizelcs confirms the report that he has been entrusted with the conduct of Greek interests abroad. It is reported that M, Venizelos visits Rome after London. Statements from Athens declare that the Greeks assert that they are endangered bv the Turk rising in Thrace. On the other hand, the Turkish representative at Paris, Ferid Bey, accuses the Greeks of preparing to attack Thrace behind the Allied barrier. That Thrace is the danger point is evident, because the Allied Commissioners at Constantinople sent a mission to Thrace .to study tho situation in an endeavour to exert a calming influence on both sides. Meanwhile actual reports from Chanak are disquieting. Mr Ward Price telegraphs that seaplanes have detected movements of the Turkish infantry towards Chanak. Them is no sign of guns, but they may be moving up under cover of darkness. The Turks are outwardly friendly, but may be masking hostile intentions. After sitting yesterday afternoon awaiting a despatch'from General Harington, which did not arrive, Cabinet sat for two hours until half an hour past midnight and resumed at 10 o’clock next morning. No statement was made. The position is regarded as extremely grave as the Turks show no disposition to withdraw from the neutral zone near Chanak. France is anxious to avert a clash between the British and the Turks and believes M. Bouillons despatch will help to relieve the tension. Though ofhciaT opinion in France is optimistic tho French press semi-oflicially upbraids the British Government for not withdrawing its troops from Chanak. France is afraid that if war breaks out Great Britain will withdraw her troops from Cologne on the ground that she cannot aid France to enforce peace on Germany, as France, in withdrawing her troops from Chanak, refused to aid in enforcing peace on Turkey. The Daily Express’s Constantinople correspondent says that Turkish authorities state that General Harington is proceeding to Mndania to confer with Kemal.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

PARIS, September 30. M. Poincare has telegraphed to M. Bouillon insisting on Hemal replying without delay to the Allied Note. 31. Bouillon met Hemal at Smyrna and had a long conversation, proceeding to Angora with Hemal. —Renter. CONSTANTINOPLE, September 30. Replying to General Haringt'on’s second Note requesting the withdrawal from the neutral zone Hemal Pasha states that, if the British are prepared to withdraw from the Asiatic. coast as the French and Italians have done he will order his forces to withdraw slightly and only, act in a police capacity. Hemal announces his departure from Angora to meet the National Assembly, but he will meet General Harington at the earliest possible moment. —A. and N.Z. Cable. PARIS, October 1. (Received October 2, at 0.20 a.m.) Petit Parisian states that the French military experts, including Marshal Focb. regard the Chanak .position incapable of being held, and favour the natural protection which the Chataldia line offers. The paper is of opinion that the only remedy will be for both the British ancl the Turks to evacuate the neutral zone. —A. and N.Z. Cable.