The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1922-09-20
SITUATION
|NFAREAST
INTRIGUING
Great Britain Will Defend
Neutral Zone Alone If
It's Necessary
By DAVID N. CHURCH

lotAFf (OkhE9rONDEHl j. NJ oEhfi$EI
LONDON. Sept 20. - The British
foreign onice formally made It
known today that the British en-
pire will not allow Mustaphas
Turkish nationalist army to occupy
Thrace.
The Turkish nationalists had ask
Thrace as one Of tho peace condi-
tions. 1t was intimated by the
British that while they will not per-
nit the Turks to take over Thrace
at the present time, negotiations
might result In modification of this
decision.
1t was learned in official quarters
that General Harrington. command
er Of the British forces in the Near
East, has received official instruc-
tions to defend the neutral zone
along the Turkish straits.
1t is now up 10 General Harring-
ton to decide whether military ac-
tion is necessary as a result of the
reported approach of Turkish cav
airy TO the outskirts Of Bigha.
which is within the allied neutral
zone.
According to foreign office offi-
cials the whole situation depends
upon the answer which Kemal
makes TO the British representations
warning the Turks away from the
Turkish straits.
That the situation has improved
is indicated By the fact that Premier
Lloyd George has goEe TO the coun-
he is in continuous communication
with 10 Downing Street.
Government officials are hopeful
that a Near East peace parley will
be arranged by Lord Curzen and
Premier Poincare in Paris.
Athens reports that Greece is re-
organizing aer army in Thrace as
result Of mutinous outbreaks. The
Greek government is expected to
call UP the 1S22 class of reservists
at once. King Constantine has sent
a royal message to the Thracian
army to stand fast for reinforce
rnents are coming"
Britain is sending more troops IN
TO the Near East to defend the Oar
danelles against attack by the
Turks Two battaliens from Eng
land and two battalicns from Ire
land are under orders to proceed at
once to Asia Minor. The British
troops defending the Dardanelles
are concentrated at Chanak at
which point the waterway separat-
ing Asia Minor from Europe Is mar
rowest British warships are an
chored in the Dardanelles to sup
port the land forces that have en-
trenched themselves long the shore.
Tho trend towards peace by nego-
tiation instead OF by force of arms,
was strengthened today by news
from Angora that Mustapha Pasha,
head of the Turkish nationalist gov
ernment had called q peace coun-
Gil" to get the views of his col
lsazues upon the allied demands.
France is Urging Kemal not to
stack the British md the indica-
t.ons are that a peace conference
will be arranged within week.
probably at Paris, in which new
Turkish treaty will be drawn TO re-
uiace the treaty OF Sevres.
II Is reported from Rome that the
rnutiny of Greek troops In Thrace
has reached serious proportions and
that many Of the soldiers have De-
gun to retreat towards the nome
land despite the protests or their
Officers. 1t Is believed In some
quarters in Rome that the allies MAJ
be compelled to intervene in Thrace.
Thrace has been under admlnistra-
ton OF Athens.
An Athens dispatch quoted Greek
officials as charging that the Turks
on the Asia Minor coast fired upon
q Greek destroyer. killing an officer
and three sailors
Despite alarming rumors calm
opinion both in and out of official
circles is that war in the Balkans
will be averted. Premier LLOYD
Georges personal organ, the Chron-
icle. believes that the Near East
situation has been cleared up" This
newspaper points out that the Brit
ish hold powerful positions along
the Turkish straits and that 1t is
most unlikely that the Turks would
attempt an attack.
The reported request of Mustapha
Kemal Pasha to occupy Thrace
probably will be discussed by Lord
C,urzon, British foreign secretary,
who is now in Paris, and Premier
Poincare. The British government
for the present Is marking time No
further decisions are expected until
Lord Curzon reports on the results
OF his conference
One of the most d!squieting fea-
lures cf the situation from the
British viewpoint is the news from
Calcutta that sentiment in favor OF
the Pan Moslem (Mohammedan)
movement is increasing in India
Numerous meetings are being hello
at which the Turks are praised FOL
their victories over the Christians
ALTHOUGH heavy rain clouds
hung over the city, Gary's Good
fellowship tourists left the city
this morning OF their first leg CT
their two day trip which will take
80 ttae