The New York herald., 1922-09-30
BRITAIN Will FORCE
TURKS TO WITHDRAW.
Cabinet Acts to Stop Further
Encroachments by Army
of Kemalists.
ULTIMATUM is WAR
Refusal Means Scrapping OF
Paris Note and Mudros
Armistice.
ULTIMATUM is WAR


Copyright, 1899, By THE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
London. Sept. 20.
The Turks must get out of the
Chanak neutral zone or face war with
the British. This was the ultimatum
issued by the Cabinet tonight. The
situation created by the Kemalists
hemming in the British and pressing
so close that they can talk with each
other over the barbed wire entangle-
ments cannot be allowed to continue.
Il was stated officially.
The Government has notified Brig
Gen. Sir Charles Harrington that he
will have fun support in demanding
the Turkish withdrawal. in whatever
steps may be necessary.
The time has come for showdown.
That was the substance of official
opinion afte.- the second meeting of
the Ministers in Downing Street this
afternoon AS result Gen. Haring-
ton is expected within few hours to
notify the Turks they will have to
withdraw.
IL they do not, it is stated here that
their refusal will be interpreted as
Kemals contempt of the Paris note as
scrap OF paper and also as a violation
the armistice win cease to be effective.
When a spokesman for the Govern
ment was asked If. in the event Kemal
refused to move, the British would at
tack. ne answered that that was a ques-
lion for tho avthorlties on the ground,
represented by the military and naval
chiefs and the high commissioners.
Prefer Demand, Not Request.
That a crisis finally has been reached
was not concealed tonight. The situa-
lion is very grave indeed" If the
Turks will not go In peace, only one
alternative Is seen--the British will have
to force them out. There is no disposi-
tion in ministerial circles to bubble any
longer. now that Great Britain Is fully
prepared to stand on her own rights and
to see those rights respected. This time
they do not request withdrawal of the
Turks. but demand it, 1t is in effect
an ultimatum. The question of time
limit has not been settled but "the thing
must stop; 1t cannot go on forever"
Kemals reply to Gen. Harrington
amounts to nothing. according to the
official view. IL Is no more satisfactory
than his communication few years ago
through the high commissioner, adding
nothing but promises that he VIII not
advance further.
But that is not enough for Great
Britain. Not only must he advance no
farther but he must evacuate where he
has already advanced. AS a matter Of
fact any further advance is impossible
because he is now at the foot of the
British entrenchments, and In some
places on the shores of the Dardanelles
The Turkish forces have been increas-
ing steadily, not only In infantry and
cavalry but now they have artillery
behind They now occupy the whole
zone save for a narrow area included
within line drawn from Bergaz,
twelve miles northeast of Chanak.
through Terziler. ten miles southeast. TO
a point two miles north of Eren Keui
on the south. They have strategicaliy
enveloped the British. with their wings
in easy ..ccess OF the sea, while the
small but determined British force
stretches ten miles inland. standing with
backs to the wall, as It were. but with
Mausers primed and ready TO shoot over
the heads of the Kemalists
British Force Well Armed.
The British have heavy artillery,
formidable fleet and aircraft fully
equipped with machine guns. all actually
in position TO repel force much larger
than their own: and many military ex
perts believe that the whole OF Kemal's
army could not bulge them. SO, IL Il
comes TO a fight, 1t will be no comic
opera affair. unless the Turks furnish
the show
The report that Gen. Harrington was
ready to meet Kemal in conference was
officially denied tonight. He could
meet the Turkish leader only after con-
ferring with the allied naval and mill
tary commanders and accompanied BY
representatives OF France and Italy.
Any such conference would be strictly
military. as IL would not discuss any
thing OF political character such as
the alteration OF the neutral boundaries.
Even then Gen. Harrington would not
consent to confer with Kemal until the
neutral zones had been evacuated
-he British hcve taken the initiative
wnlCn tney say mas Deen TOTCeu upon
them. first by the withdrawal Of the
French from the Asiatic side, and then
by the Paris note. The French left the
control OF the zone entirely In the
Bnltish hands and signed a note telling
Kemal he must not violate the neutral
zones The British regard II as their
job to see that he does not violate
them.
The justice Of the British proposition
Is further fortified by the armistice OF
Mudros In October. 1918. upon which
the British have stood firm ever since
Ana they intend 10 continue to stand
firm, with all the resources OF the en-
pire, rather than sacrifice the fruits or
victory. They are determined further
not to invite a general Balkan clash
by calmly retiring now TO Gallipoli to
prepare the way for another siege OF
the Dardanelles.
Officials feel that II the Turks are not
moved BY appeals for peace now. they
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