The New York herald., 1922-08-01
ALLIES RUSH TROOPS
TO BLOCK ATTACK BY
GREEKS ON TURKEY
British Force Joins French
on Tchatalja Line to Bar
Way to Capital.
FLEET READY TO ACT
Constantine PrOclaims Self
Government for Smyrna
and Hinterland.
WAR MOVE HELD BLUFF
Powers to Hold Conference
Soon to Settle Near East
Problems.
WAR MOVE HELD BLUFF

LONDON. July 81 (Associated Press).
The action of Greece in threatening
to march on Constantinople and pro-
claiming autonomy for Smyrna and It's
hinterland again has forced the diff
cult Near Eastern problem to the fore
front in diplomacy.
Dispatches from Constantinople state
that British troops are being moved to
the Tchataljaa line, to reinforce French
troops already there. to prevent Greek
forces moving from Thrace on Con-
stantinople or attempting to cross into
Asia Minor to reinforce the Greek
army there. British naval units are
being sent from Malta to strengthen
the fleet now Off the Golden Horn
Premier Lloyd George In state
ment to Parliament to-day was able
to give reassuring information con-
cerning the crisis-to the effect that
Greece had reaffirmed its previous
undertaking not to invade the neutral
zone, including Constantinop.e. with
out the consent Of the Allies.
The Premier expressed the opinion
that the motive for the Greek action
was to expedite a settlement of the
Near Eastern question. He added
that meeting of the Powers chiefly
concerned would be convened to dis
cuss the situation.
VIII Formulate Policy.
As is known. a conference to discus
the Near East, Tangier and other ques-
tions long has been under consideration,
but it has been difficult 20 assemble the
Powers.
In this matter Great Britain. France
and Italy all are agreed not to permit
Greece to force matters by a march
upon Constantinople. but they are by no
means agreed on a general policy con-
cerning the Near East. 1t is considered
that 1t was knowledge of this disagree
ment which induced Greece to attempt
to force the situation by proclaiming the
autonomy of Smyrna. hoping by so
doing to prevent the proposed solution
o. the situation by returning this terri
tcry to Turkey.
Meantime, 1t Is not generally believed
that Greece will proceed to extremes
Although she IS assembling large forces
OF troops at Rodosto. the Powers are TAX
ing the necessary steps to resist any at
tempt upon Constantinople. A strong
British fleet Is gathering In Turkish
waters and allied reenforcements are
being sent to Turkey.
Charge Greece Is BIuHing.
One view of the situation taken in
political circles here Is that the move
OF Greece is a bluff on the part of King
Constantine to save his face In his own
country and induce the Powers to recog-
nize him.
CoNsTANTINopLE, July 81 (Associatcd
ss).--The precautionary movement OF
British troops across the Bosphorus to
reinforce French forces on the Tcha-
talja line. thirty miles west, continued
throughout the day. This measure is
being taken In order 10 be prepared to
oppose any possible violation of the
neutrality OF Constantinople by Greek
troops wishing to cross into Asia Minor
to oppose the Turkish Nationalists.
Additional British reinforcements are
expected from Malta, ready in case OF
any threatening move on the part of
the Greeks.
Yesterdays conference of allied Gen.
erals scaled definite agreement be-
tween the Allies TO forcibly prevent any
possible attempt by the Greeks to take
Constantinople. The real danger, how
ever. is believed to arise not from the
possibility OF an order to advance from
the Greek high command but from the
exalted feeling among Greek troops,
whose advance OF their own accord Is
considered possible
The allied feet has been ordered to
keep up steam In readiness for any
eventuality.
The Turkish Minister OF Foreign Az
fairs sent note to-day to the allied
High Commissioners here setting forth
the Greek concentration on the Thracean
frontier, giving the numbers OF the rcgi-
Couftuucd nm puoc Four