Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1922-09-20
British Will Not Permit
Turks To Occupy Thtace;
Cavalry In Neutral Zone
BY DAVID M. CHURCH,
!. NJ. S. Staff Correspondent.

Foreign Office formally made II
known today that the British En-.
pire will not allow Mustapha Renal
Pasha's Turkish nationalist army
to occupy Thrace, which Is In Eu.
rope.
II was learned in official quarters
that General Harrington, commal-
der of the British forces in the Near
East has received official instruc.
tinns to defend the neutral zone
along the Turkish Straits. 1t is now
up to General Harrington to decide
whether military action Is neces.
sary IA n result of the reported ap-
proach of Turkish cavalry to the out
skirts OF Bigha, which Is within the
Allied neutral zone.
According to report from Con-
stantinople today Turkish NATIONAL
list cavalry has reached the out
skirts of Bgha, which Is within the
neutral zone along the Turkish
Straits. The report Is not officially
confirmed Bigha Ia As miles east Of
Chanak and IL miles inland from the
Sea of Marmora.
The Turkish natlonalists had ask.
ed permission to occupy eastern
Thrace as one of the peace condt
lions. II was intimated by the Brit
ish that while they will not permit
the Turks to take over Thrace at
the present time. negotiations might
result in modification OF this deci-
sion.
Britain Is sending more troops
into the Near East 10 defend the
Dardnelles against attacks by the
Turks. Two battalions from Eng
land and two battalions from Ireland
are under orders to proceed at once
to Asia Minor. The British troops
defending the Dardanelles are con-
centratod at Chanak at which point
| the waterway separating Asia Minor
/ from Europe Is narrowest British
warships are anchored in the DarHa-
nelles to support land forces that
have entrenchcd themselves along
the shore.
The trend towards peace by me-
COLLATION. instead of by force of arms
was strengthened today by news
from Angora that Mustapha Renal
| Pasha, head Of the Turkish national
| ist government had called peace
council" to get the views OF his col
| leagues upon the Allied demands.
France is urging Kemal not to at
tack the British and the Indications
are that peace conference will be
arranged within a week, probably at
Paris in which new Turkish treaty
will be drawn to replace the treaty
Of Sevres.
It is reported from Rome that the
mutiny OF Greek troops in Thrace
| has reached serious proportions and
that many of the soldiers have be-
gun to retreat towards the home-
land. despite the protests of their
officers 1t is believed in some
quarters in Rome that the Allies
may be compelled to intervene in
'Ghracc. Thrace has been under ad.
ministratiOn OF Athens.
An Athens despatch quotes Greek
officials as charging that the Turks
on the Asia Minor coast fired on the
Greek destroyer, killing an ~ err
and three soldiers.
Despite alarmist rumors, calm
! opinion both in and out Of official
circles is that war in the Balkans
! will be avertcd.
Premier Lloyd-George's personal
organ. the Chronicle, believes that
( the Near East situation has been
/ cleared up. This newspaper points
/ out that the British mold powerful
positions along the Turkish Straits
and that it Is most unlikely that the
Turks would attempt an attack.
The report request Of Mustapha
Renal Pasha to occupy Thrace prob
ably will be discussed by Lord Cui.
zon, British Foreign Secretary, who
, is now in Paris and Premier Poin.
care. The British government for
the present is marking time. No
/ further decisions are expected until
/ Lord Curzon reports on the results
of his conferences
One Of the most disqueting fea-
/ lures Of the situation from the Brit
/ ish viewpoint is the news from Cal
cutta that sentiment in favor OF tbs
/ Pan Noslem (Mohammedan) move
mont is increasing in India Numer-
4 'lii- HIFFi ltlSo dlt btit5 urIu dt
which the Turks are praised for their
victories over the Christians
According tn foreign office officials
the whole situation depends upon
the answer which Renal makes to
the British representatives warning
the Turks away from the Turkish
straits.
That the situation has improved
is indicated by the fact that Pre-
mier Lloyd George has gone to the
country for brief vacation How
ever he is in continuous commune
cation with 10 Downing street.
Government officials are hopeful
that a Near East peace parley will
be arranged by Lord Curzon and
Premier POincare in Paris
Athens reports that Greece is re-
organizing her army in Thrace as a
result OF mutinous outbreaks. The
Greek government is expected to call
up the 1923 class Of resevists at
once King Contantiue has sent
royal message to the Thracian army
to stand fast for reinforcements