The Washington times., 1920-03-09
M0S[EM ARMY
FIGHTS ALLIES
Ottoman Forces at Grips With
10000 British, French, and
italian Troops.
"HOLY WAR" SMOULDERING
Fall of ConstantinopIe Signal
For Uprising, Mohammedan
Leader Declares.

LONDON, March 9.-The fleet
which Great Britain is sending into
Turkish waters contains some Of the
most powerful warships in the
world.
Advices from Tunis today said it
included the super-dreadnought
Queen Elizabeth, the Humber, and
some dreadnoughts.
The Queen Elizabeth took part in
the ill-starred effort Of the allies to
force the Dardanelles during the
war.
LONDON, March 9.-Reports Of
a clash between Turkish forces and
the 10000 British, French and Ital-
ian troops at Constantinople, al
though not officially confirmed here.
have given rise to the fear that the
"holy war" threatened by Moslem
leaders il the Turk is driven from
Europe has been begun, without
waiting for the allied conference to
announce its decision.
Situation Delicate.
, This fear has been strengthened BY
the reticence shown by Lloyd George
in discussing the Near East situation
He had little to say other than that
instructions for drastic action to
prevent more massacres Of Christians
had been sent allied representatives
in Constantinople. Dispatches have
been received stating that \ large
detachment Of French troops have
sailed for the Near East, and that
British squadron has been ordered
from Oran, Nortnern Africa to Con-
stantinople
Confirming tho threat Of "holy
war" by Enveri Pasha, q Geneva dis
patch to the Daily Express today
quotes a former member of the Turk
ish chamber of deputies who Is .
member Of the young Turk commit
tee, as saying:
when the allied naval and mill
tary forces occupy Constantinople,
general war by the Mohammedaas
against the Christians will begin"
Martial Law Declared.
The reports of fighting in Con-
stantinople, which have reached here
declare it followed an extensive mil
itary operation" in which British
French and Italian troops particip-
ated. 1t was also stated that martial
law had been proclaimed In Constan-
tinople.
Constantinople is occupied by n
lied troops under the provisions q
the armistice. The city is the head
quarters of Gen. Franchet d'Esperey.
who has about 10000 French troops
under his command. In addition
there arc a regiment of Italians and
battalion of British. with other
British troops nearby, bring the Al
lies total forces UP to abut 10000.
$4,000 Turks In Arms
It is estimated that there are $4,000
men in the Turkihh regular army.
which is said to be concentrated At
Constantinople and Anatolia. These
would be swelled by thousands OF
hard fighting fanatics in European
Turkey, as well as Asia Minor ana
probably in other Mohammedan csun-
tries, however, IL a "holy war were
proclaimed.
From Bizerta, Northern africa
dispatch states that a British squad
ron arrived there yesterday from
Oran on its way to Constantinoplc-
This squadron is thought to be COM
posed of four battleships, one cruiser
and ten destroyers which were ro-
ported at Algiers on March 4. Algtors
is about midway between oran and
Bizerta.
Paris Denies War.
Paris reports that the French gov
ernment denies the troops which re-
Gently sailed on the steamer Austria
were sent In connection with tho ror
cent Developments in the Near East
Inc is said, according to dispatches, that
the troops were men rejoining regt
ments in the army Of occupation after
furloughs and others who arc being
sent regularly to replace sick and dis
abied soldiers.
/ Confirmation OF the reports that
is. 600 Armenians had been massacred
by the Turks In the Marash district
during the siege of that city and its
evacuation by the French has been
received from DIR. Kennedy, in charge
of the London Lord Mayors relief
fund at Adana. He has sent a message
to Aneurin Williams, a member Of
tho house OF commons, fully corrobo-
rating previous descriptions OF the
atrocities.
women and children Die.
Thirteen hundred women and chill
dren perishcd in n snowstorm during
the flight to Adana. he says, and
| \. 900 Armcnians many of them wound
cd. stin arc Nv Marssh. which has
been burned. lie states that Adsns
' Continued on Pnge 3, coiu~n g.,