NEAR EAST

Southland Times, Issue 18972, 20 June 1923, Page 5

NEAR EAST

CAUGHT IN THE ACT REMOVING GUNS FROM THRACE A BRITISH CAPTURE. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright). (Reuter’s Telegrams.) CONSTANTINOPLE, June 18. A British destroyer seized a Turkish transport in the Sea of Marmora, conveying guns from Thrace. The British authorities had received information that the Turks were endeavouring to remove from Thrace guns and troops clandestinely sent there in violation of the Mudanian armistice, when the resumption of Turko-Greek hostilities was threatened. Hearing of concentration at Silvivria, British destroyers watched the port at night and caught the transport early in the morning. The seizure proved conclusively the failure of Turkish preparations in Thrace. DEBT QUESTION NOT SETTLED. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) Despite all efforts no agreement has been reached on the question of the evacuation of Constantinople, the renewal and re-ad-justment of concessions and the Ottoman debt. The first two points could easily be settled if the third could be solved. General Pelle received the strictest injunctions from Paris regarding the payment of the debt in gold currency. Ismet Pasha declares that Turkey cannot agree and that his instructions from Angora are just as binding. It is understood that direct negotiations between London, Rome and Paris are now taking place in regard to the Turkish stubborn attitude.