TURCO-GREEK TANGLE

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14599, 24 February 1921, Page 5

TURCO-GREEK TANGLE

THE RIVAL FORCES GREEKS CLAIM SUPERIORITY. A KEMALIST CHALLENGE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received February 23, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, February 22. Information from Greek military I sources puts the total strength of the Kemalist forces in Asia Minor at under 00,000, including all auxiliaries. Thsy are lacking in almost every kind of material, and those opposing flhe Greeks have lost their morale. The Greek army numbers 130.000, and is perfectly organised ready for an immediate advance towards Angora to inflict a decisive blow. Bekir Sami Bey, the leader of the Kemalist delegation to the London conference, expresses strong antagonism to the Greek claims. Re says; "We shall never give way. Better let us light. We can soon settle it.'' lie claims that the Constantinople authorities sent Tewflk Pasha to the conference, but that the Turkish nation had sent him. GREEK CONFIDENCE. DISCOUNTED BY ITALY AND FRANCE KEMALI3TS' DETERMINATION. 'Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received February 23, 8.40 p.m. LONDON, February 22. Though the Kemalist delegation has not yet been accorded official recognition, their presence- in London enables the delegates to listen to a spirited discussion on Greece's capacity to destroy the Nationalist movement. M. Calogeropoulous assured the Conference that Greece was prepared to shoulder the necessary military burden and to call up more, classes to the army, also to impose n ore taxation if an Allied loan is grantc 1. Genera Saryannis, the Greek military expert, if optimistic, and declares that the Kemalist, forces are greatly exaggerated. He points cut that the. Greek advance achieved results which the Allied expert declare I "to be impossible. A French expert, m an interview, declarcd that the Kemalist generals are highly skilled and experienced, and the Greek idea of advancing on Angora is sheer madness. With this view the Italians agree, and say that such a campaign is a military impossibility. The It.lily Telegraph states that the British attitude is one of judicial impartiality. British expert information agrees with that of Greece regarding the Kemalist strength, but is uncertain if the Greek morale is the same after the election and the return of Constantine; also whether they realise the fmancid burdens involved. Meanwhile Sami Bey, the Kemalist delegate, roundly maintains his claim IJial. Turkey is entitled to full ethnographical limits. He says he i s determined not to yield to either Conslanti-, iiople or the Greeks. When asked his opinion regarding the Greeks' optimisttt, he merely shrugged his shoulders. l\resents tTio delegation being style.t Kemalists. He says they do not belong to any person or party: they arc Nationalists, lie declares that the delegation will present itself at St. James' to-day. _