The Washington times., 1922-09-18
Britain to Modify
Policy in Near East,
But Keeps Preparing


LONDON, Sept. 18.-Great Britain
will Immediately modify her Near
East war policy, according to indica.
tons this afternoon.
Military preparations will be con.
dnued, but the war office announced
that there is no necessity at this mo-
ment for large British military re.
endorsements in the Near East.
Anxious to Avert War.
II is learned that the British
dominion premiers have privately
sent word to Premier Lloyd George
urging him to use every endeavor
70 avert war.
The revelation that the whole
British empire was preparing for
war" has had violent reaction. Hos.
tile criticism of the British policy
has come from both Italy and
France, and a powerful section of
the British press is demanding that
Great Britain maintain the peace
In the Near East instead of going
TO war against Turkey.
The Evening Standard said II had
been Officially advised that Great
Britain does not anticipate war IN
the Near East. The measures which
are being taken now, the official
seoteHicht Cohlinues, are tHereiy
precautionary.
The Evening Standard learneG
that Mustapha Kemal Pasha had
telegraphed to friends in London
that he does not regard Great
Britain as an enemy but a friend.
British Cabinet Meets.
There was a meeting of the cabi,
net at noon, after which 1t was
explained that the "semi-official"
statement issued Saturday regard
ing Britain's war policy in the Near
East was not cabinet announce.
ment but merely the expression Of
two or three ministers.
Dissensions are threatened in
the cabinet over British policy
Premier Lloyd George is hopeful
OF an agreement. and at his office
In Downing street 1t was emphati-
cally declared that there are no
plans for general mobilization"
Downing street said that full op-
portunity would be given for open
conversations among the allies 20
reach a mutual undertaking. The
only development of military
nature at ending the cabinet meet
ing today was the presence of Lord
Cavan. chief of the general staff,
and representative of the ad-
miralty.
The noon meeting of the cabinet
lasted two hours. Another meeting
was summoned at o'clock. II
was admitted that military and
naval plans were discussed in a
general way, but that no definite
action will be taken pending the
receipt Of q note revealing the Of
ficial French attitude.
t is understood that Lord Curzon,
foreign secretary, and others OBJ
jected to the statement of Satur-
day threatening war.
The Pal Mall Gazette quoted q
high official as saying that war
is unlikely" However, as a safe
guarding measure, a battalion Of
Gordon Highlanders at Malta has
been ordered to Constantinople.
Danger Less Pressing.
Immediate danger of Turkish in
vasion of Europe had lessened today,
but II is estimated that 800. 900 Brit
ish troops will! be necessary II a con-
flagration breaks loose.
Allied troops, mostly British SOL
diers and marines. under command
Of Colonel Shuttleworth, of the Brit.
tsh army, have begun to throw up
GNtTenCnIHents diOnB Ine DarudnclleB,
mounting machine guns and artillery
to prevent the passage of the Turks.
The British dreadnaught Iron
Duke, under command of Admiral
Crook. has arrived at Constantinople
after landing British re-enforcements
at Chanak, on the Asiatic side Of the
Dardanelles. Chanak lies at the mar.
rowest point Of the waterway, where
the Turks probably would try to
cross II they decide upon an attempt
e to invade Europe.
A dispatch from Constantinople
quoted the Turkish newspaper Akham
as saying that the Kemalist troops
will not for the present enter the
allied neutral zones along the straits,
but that the allies must make peace
IT once" Otherwise. said the news
paper. war will follow"
A Constantinople dispatch to the