The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1920-03-09
ALLIES MASS BIG
ARMY IN TURKEY
British Troops Reported Order
ed From Egypt,
PLACED 1T STRATEGIC POINTS
Reports of Clash Between Allied
Troops and Turhisk Forces in Con-
stantinopIe Discredited in London.

| London. March 9.-An allied army
! of 10000 men is being concentrated at
| ConstantinopIe and in adjacent Turk
ish territory, it was learned.
These troops are being massed at
! strategic points as a result of a unanl-
mons agreement reached among the
| allies.
Eeporrs were in circulation there
| had been a clash between allied troops
and Turkish forces in Constan1nople,
but these were discredited at the war
office and the admiralty os well as a
the foreign Office.
Officials stated hey had received no
messages indicating clash &C Con
stantinople AMI believed The reports
to he untrue.
Units from fleets of The various nj
lied powers are collecting in the Sea
of Marmora with Constantinople lying
within easy range of their guns.
British troops in Egypt and PaieS-
tine are reported TO have been order
ed to Constantinople. Detachnlents OF
allied troops that were being neld IN
the Near East are being moved closer
to the Turkish capital owing TO the
critical situation.
David Lloyd George, the premier,
announced in the house of commons
prompt measures had been taken by
the French government to send re-
inforcements to General Gouraud,
COMMUNICATIVE chief of the French
forces in the east, for the purpose OF
re-establishing his position and pre-
venting further attacks on ATmen-
ians.
Mr.. Lloyd George made this state
ment In answer to questions regarding
measures taken for the proteefion OF
the Armenians. He also said thai
French ships had been sent TO Mes
sfna. Regarding Constantinople, the
premier stated identical instruction
for immediate drastic action had been
despatched to the allied representa-
tives there, who were acting in COM
pIete accord. 1t would be inadylsable
he added, to disclose these Instructions
until a reply had been received.
While definite news of allied pceH-
patton of Constantinople is stilI aWaif-
ed it issaid in some auaze - Is
inevitable owing to information Mus
tapha Kemal Pasha, the Turkish Ma
tionalist leader, is strengthening his
forces in Asia Minor and Turkish
bands are concentrating in Eastern
TO xhfAf feas.Y
of the arnfstfce.
In the absence of an official an
nouncement, contradictory rumors are
current concerning the attitudes OF
Great Britain, France and Italy to-
wards coercive steps. While it is de-
clared the decision to occupy the city
was taken collectively and British
troops were chosen solely because they
were nearest. Another version is that
Great Britain took the decision alone,
and completely surprised France and
Italy by communicating il.
In quarters where this view is held
It is said the French government is
not likely to withhold cooperation,
particularly now that the French loss
es In Cilicia are known to the French
people, but Italy is reluctant for sew
eral reasons and has not yet agreed
to take part.
The Daily Mail, reiterating occupa-
ton has been decided upon, says In
addition to the British forces in the
neighborhood of Constantinople fur
ther forces will be moved thither from
the British "Army of the Black Sea
The Mail understands some regi'
ments in England also have been orr
dered to be in readiness to embark for
the Near East.