The New York herald., 1922-09-24
CHANAK MENACED
English Remove Forces
From Constantinople
to Reinforce the
Main Position.
GREEKS SEND HELP
Kemalists Gather at Ismid
in Hope of Gaining Way
to Thrace.
lombard TWO ISLANDS
Angora May Demand Right to
Cross Barrier to Engage
Greeks.

SDsCfnt cable to TfFE NyW lohh fil.ANp.
Copyright. 1922. by THE New York HEsMn.
CoNsTANTINoPLE, Sept. 23.-The Brit
ish are withdrawing their troops from
Constantinople and are Strengthening
the Dardanelles against the threat
ened Kemalist attack on Chanak,
where the British are being reinforced
by one Greek division.
The Kemalists are believed to be
preparing to cross to Thrace by way
OF Isnid and Scutari and will ask
allied sanction to engage the reorgan-
ized Greek force of $4,000 in Thrace.
Kemalist airplanes are bombarding
the islands of Mytiene and Chios, OF
the coast of Greece. The Turkish Cabi-
net meeting in Smyrna is consider
ing a reply to the allied note respecting
the neutrality of the straits. They
are not willing to suspend military
operations, and 1t Is believed they will
issue an ultimatum to the Allies TO
provide unopposed passage through
the straits or the Bosporus into
Thrace. r
There Is the greatest activity IN
British military and naval circles In
Constantinople, where II IS feared a
kemalist advance will be the signal
for disturbances by thousands or
Kemalist soldiers here out OF uniform.
Extensive preparations are being made
to meet eventualities.
Weak Force at chnnnk.
The British admit that they have In
sufficient forces at Chanak 70 hold UP
the Kemalists In the event of an attack
They are therefore obliged 10 weaken
their land forces at Constantinople In
favor of the peninsula until the arrival
of troops on the Berengaria from Eng
land The cities on the Dardanel'es
have been eyactuated OF their civilian
population and trenches and heavy guns
are now on the Asiatic shore and the
peninsula itself.
Great Britains determination not TO
permit che Turks to reach the straits
has given prominence to the report that
she is willing to compromise with them
regarding Tbrace II this will avoid war.
by allowing the Kemalists passage from
the Gulf OF Tsmid direct.
In connection with the Greek ovacua,
tion Of the' Tchatalja line It Is significant
that the troops arc being moved to rcen-
force the British at Gallipoli The sit
uation IS reple;e with SO many conflict
ing elements and changes hourly that
Constantinople is full of rumors.
Curiously contrasted with the fever
ishness in allied circles Is the easier
feeling among the people here. This
is probably due to the presence OF adj
dltional soldiers In the streets and ths
more warlike appearance Of the Bos-
porus Americans here are undisturued
by the situation. believing that kemal
will not risk the result of issuing an
ultimatum to the Allies, thus causing
them 20 solidify their forces. They be-
lieve the Nationalists are making
strong bid for the proposed peace con-
ference.
The population here SHOWS increased
optimism despite the continuous exodus
of British families and the prepara
tions OF the Standard Oil Company. the
Near East Relief and other American
orga nizations TO take away their
personnel In the event OF hostiittes.
The Greeks for the moment seem more
concerned over the plight Of i00c01
destitute countrymen. An inventory q
the valuables in Greek churches Il be-
ins made by the Greek patriarch.
Articles coming In from Europe and
Asia viii be sent 10 London for sale ana
the proceeds will be used .or succorng
the refugees who are 'iilmg Alheis.
Salonlca, Rodosto and the Greek
islands in the Aegean ana the Sea OF
Marmora- The destroyer MacT.eisn and
the steamship Bortsn mas sailed for
Smyrna with 10000 loaves OF bread.