The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-09-16
fBy The Associated Press.)

London, Sept. 16.-Great Britain Is
prepared to fight to maintain the free
dom of the Dardanelles, it was auth
oritatively stated today. The state
ment came at the end of a week of
protracted cabinet meetings, arising
from the near eastern crisis which
has given rise to fears that the Turk
iSh nationalists might turn from their
successes over the Greeks to attack
the neutral zone around Constanti-
nople.
With this in mind, Great Britain is
reinforcing her troops in Constanu-
nople and has ordered the Mediter-
rEnean fleet to oppose by every. means
any infractione of the neutral zone or
any attempt by the Turks to cross
over into Europe. Great Britain also
has invited Greece, Rumania, Jugo
ElaviA and the British domiuions to
give their assistance in this. if neces-
Sary. France and Italy are said to
agree with Great Britain on the ne
cessity of maintaining the neutrality of
the straits. 1t is indicated, however,
that Great Britain has not abandoned
the original agreement that the Turks
should have Constantinople if other
matters were satisfactorily composed,
and the London government proposed
an Immediate conference to effect
peace with the Turks.
tBS the Assnclared PressJ
London. Sept. 16.-Au succeeding
dispatches from Constantinople
Athens and cthe, centers of informa-
tion in the near east only tend to mag
nifty the tale of the tragedy in Smyrna.
The greater part of the city is in
ruin, laid waste by a conflagration of
incendiary origin, and the flames, ac-
cording 10 the latest account, had
reached the water front. where the
quays were crowded with fear-crazed
Christian refugees, who fled to the
city as the nearest port of escape from
the Turks Many have throw them
selves into the water rather than run
the risk of being burned alive or of
facing Mustapha Kemal Pasha's SOL
diery, drunk with victory and fired
with religious fanaticism.
Others have not had the chance to
choose, according to dispatches from
Greek sources, which tell of horrible
tortures and mutilations and whole
sale executions. Large numbers of
Greek soldiers have been decapitated
they say, and others forced into sacks
and thrown iEto the sea. Allegations
of having served in the Greek army
bring death to the Armenians, and
women and children are being put to
the sword.
May Include Wounded.
Estimates of the number killed vary
greatly, and the latest Athens dispatch
quotes an American relief worker as
declaring that up to Thursday morn
ing there had been 10000 victims
1t is thought this figure may include
the wounded also, as previous reports
placed the number of dead at from
1000 to 1000.
Landward from the city it is re-
ported that all the villages are burn
ing and that the whole country side
has been devastated.
The commercial loss in Smyrna,
resulting from the great fire is enor-
nous all reports agree. and falls to
a great extent upon foreigners. APP
parently the whole trading quarter
was consumed with its immense stores
of goods.
British Firms Lose Heavily.
Members of British firms engaged
in the levantine trade say the results
viii be calamitous to them, while num-
ian traders face ruin. The dried fruit,
carpet, tobacco. and cotton goods
trades arc among the worst sufferers
1t is believed a number of London
insurance offices also stand to lose
severely.
Meanwhile the Turkish forces in
the north have continued their ad-
vance. and almost simultaneously with
the news of their capture of Pander-
ma on the sea of Marmora. comes the
announcement that the British. fleet
in the Dardanelles has been ordered
to prevent any attempt to cross the
straits and that no ships shall be al
lowed to concentrate for the purpose
OF transferring troops in a movement