THE NEAR EAST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18751, 3 January 1923, Page 5

THE NEAR EAST

SITUATION IN TURKEY. KEMAL9STS’ MISRULE. EXODUS FROM CONSTANTINOPLE. Press Association—By Tclegroph—Copyright LAUSANNE, December 31. Information from a French source in Constantinople describes tho political situation in Turkey as one of incoherence, disorganisation, negligence, and disorder, especially since the Angora Government assumed the administration in the capital. It is slated that over 120,000 Greeks and Armenians, comprising merchants, shopkeepers, artisans, and workmen, have already left Constantinople, being inspired by well-justified fear. All the Government offices are closed, and thousands of officials are destitute, their pay being seven months in arrear. — Reuter. MALTA, January 1. Sixteen hundred Britishers are leaving Constantinople forthwith, owing to the uncertainty of the situation, and arc proceeding to Malta and Cyprus.—-Reuter. LAUSANNE PROCEEDINGS. AJUSTAPHA KEMAL’S VIEWS. TURKISH PRIDE. INSULTED. PARTS, January 1. Tnterreiwcd for Le Journal, Mustapha Kemul expressed the opinion that if the plenipotentiaries at Lausanne had been animated bv good-will the conference need not have lasted so long, and it would have been more productive. Ho described the discussions upon the capitulations as am insult to Turkish pride. ,Ha said that Turkey had resolved to fight to her last son rather than perish in slavery. Mustahpa Komal declared the Turks refused to maintain in their country the Greek patriarchate, which was a rallying point for intrigue and treachery. He concluded: “Turkey is conciliatory, but conscious of her dignitv and strength, and she is ready to risk her very existence.”—Reuter. REVOLT IN MOSUL. AIR FORGE’S HANGARS DESTROYED. LONDON, January 1. The Daily Mail’s correspondent reports from Angora that a revolt has started in Mosul. Tho Royal Air Force’s hangars were destroyed,—A. and N.Z. Cable.