Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-09-27
want to clear decks for action in the
event the Allies reject their reply.
British Strengthen Forces

want to clear decks for action In the
event the Allies reject their reply.
British Strengthen Forces
The British are no less busy
strengthening their lines and check
mating every move made by the Ma
tionalists. Further arrivals of mill
tary and naval units are daily aug
menting their forces and inversely i'm
pairing Mustapha Kemal's chances Of
successfully attacking the straits.
The Sea of Marmora and the Bos-
porus are dotted with the most modern
warcraft. The concentration rivaliny
that of the fateful days Of the CAL
lipoli campaign.
The British feet now includes six
dreadnoughts, seven battle cruisers,
twenty destroycrs and several submar-
ines and giant aircraft carriers. The
assembly of this great armada and the
increase in the British land forces to
upward of O,0OO men, have quieted the
frayed nerves of the anxious Christian
population of the capital.
The Sultan's Cabinet met in special
session yesterday, and decided not to
retire unless 80 ordered by the Kemalist
Government.
London. Sept. 27.--(By A. P.)-
u
menace the Straits of Dardanelles, and
are entrcnching in the neutral zone,
which they refuse to recognize. The
British military command has given
them forty eight hours in which to re.
tire. and is preparing three lines of
entertainments in the region from Pam
dix to iainjc, along the Anatolian rail.
way.
More Turkish Nationalist troops have
drlfted into the Chanak zone, according
to official advices from oCnstantinople
today. hits is not regarded in au-
thoritative quarters. however, as ag-
gravating the situation much, and the
opinion was expressed in these quarters
that trouble would be avoided.
No word has yet been received from
Mustapha Renal Pasha in answer to
the ultimatum giving him forty eight
hours for the removal of the troops In
this area. but the British are inclined
to give him all possible lceway to avoid
a clash.
In addition to Ercn Kcui and Kun
! kalcsi the kemalists are III possession
/ of Bigha. A special dispatch, not con-
rmed from any other source, says oc-
cupation of the latter place was accom-
panied by the massacre of the entire
Greek and Armenian population, num-
boring about 900.
The British commanders are confident
they can keep the Turks from crossing
the Straits or capturing Constantinople
| until the arrival of the formidable re-
endorsements now on the way.
The reply of the Angora Government
10 the Joint allied note, outlining the
conditions under which n peace confer
encc could be held, is anSiously await
cd. but it is feared that even an accept
| ance would not relieve the present sit
untion to any great degree, as the Turks
are understood to be prepared TO demand
freedom OF military action during the
conference.
The British Government is watching
developments in the Near East closely
the Cabinet Ministers and defense ex.
pcrts meeting daily for consultation.
One battalion each of the Coldstrear
Guards, Royal Fusiliers and rifle bri-
gadc are leaving Aldershot today for thu
Near East. and other troops will fol.
low Saturday. 1oday's contingent
from Aldershot numbered 5000. The
Highland Light Infantry and the Ming
Scottish BordererS are on the way from
Alexandria to Chanak. the main British
position on the Dardanelles.
Naval endorsements continue {,
stream toward the Straits, some of tn
heavier units including the dread
noughts Revenge. Families, Centurion
and Malaga and the aircraft carrie
Nindictive. The Woolwich Arsenal
busy turning out ammunition.