New-York tribune., 1922-09-12
Turk Victory
Alarms Allied
ChallcelIt,r.iies
Attack ON Consiantinople rs
Feareds kenlal's Soldiers
Are Flushed With Success
at Easy Capture of Smyrna
Entry Into City Orderly
British Warn Turkish Chief
Capital Will Be Defended;
French Reinforce Garrison
Special Cable TO The Troune

Copyright, 1892, New York Tribune Inc
PARIS, Sept. 1i.European diplo-
mats viii soon face the difficult problem
of settling the Greco-T Turkish war in the
Near East, and the press of the various
countries reflects the entirely different
points of view held by the powers.
England has been frankly alarmed at
the victorious advance of the Turks,
while Italy has rejoiced to see the
Greeks retreating.
On the other hand it may be said
that France knew about the Turkish
advance long ago and expected the
victory, as the Turks are equipped
with French military material. AS
France always espoused the Turkish
cause--a policy which proved necessary
due to her vast Mussulman colonies in
Africa--she considered it wise to aid
the Angora troops, for their defeat
might have caused trouble among her
own colonials. In view Of this, when
the French troops withdrew from
Cilicia they forgot" huge depots OF
ammunition, which the Angora govern
departure.
Even French Worried
But now even the French are wor-
ried over the threatened Turkish seiz-
ure Of Constantinople. The foreign
Office announced to-day that France
would insist on the liberty of the
straits and even the internationally
alton of the city if necessary. They
xui1 &o ba N,~lI
to remain the Turkish capital since
this was always expected.
When Kemal Pasha first started his
movement for the liberation of Turk
ish soil he clearly stated he would
turn over conquered territory to the
Sultan. The present plan, however, of
ousting all foreign troops from Con-
stantinople meets with strong oppos-
ition here and will be the basis of the
Franco British understanding concern
ing the Near East as it is the only
point on which they agree.
Turk Assault Feared
If the Turks accept unanimous
European decision there will be peace,
but it would now appear that, an easy
victory having gone to their heads,
they may assault the capital with their
full forces. The Allies are not In q
position to prevent this, for it's de-
Tense might mean a long, hard fight
and France realizes she could not at
tack the Turks without risking an up
rising in northern Africa.
From The Trtbune's European Bureau
Copyright, 1922, New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, Sept. 11.-Great Britain's
position in the Near East situation is
extremely delicate because, while the
press and public are unanimously op-
posed to any further military opera
tions, any serious threat to CONSTANT
nople, Thrace or Mesopatamia by the
kemalists would not be tolerated by
the government. 1t is understood here
that the Allied commissioners in the
capital to-day forwarded note to
Mustapha Kemal warning him that they
would unite in defending that city.
City Can Be Held
Military experts believe that in view
of heavy reinforcements recently sent
sufficient to hold the city. 1t was also
said officially here that the British
warships would act if the Turks moved
on Thrace. France, it is felt, should
back up this, since the Little Entente
Frances proteges-and even Bulgaria,
solidly oppose any restoration of the
Turkish power in Europe.
Official quarters here are seriously
alarmed over the prospect that the
Turks, flushed with victory, will go on
to excesses. Attacks on foreign resi-
dents in Constantinople can be over
looked, but any menace to Britains
position in Asia Minor or India would
be signal for action. For the mo-
ment the plight of Greece is overshad-
owed by the Kemalist threat on the
balance of power in the Near East.
"The Evening Standard" states this
evening that military and naval prep
contingencies arising from the Greek
debacle," and hints that the British
forces have been heavily reinforced.
v L.