New-York tribune., 1922-09-21
British Move
Troops i'm Asia
To Halt Turks

the effect Of sedative in the Near
East.
Premier Poincarc seems to hold the
key to tho situation, inasmuch ns
Rome, Bucharest and Belgrade have
made it plain that they will not enter
the conflict so long as France Keeps
out Of 1t. That the English position
is unpopular was Indicated at Geneva.
Practically all of the delegates received
word not to take sides.
The position of France with regard
to the Near East was made clear by
Premier PoiHcare during his confer
ence with Lord Curzon. He let jt be
understood definitely that France would
not provide ships for the inter-Allied
barrier of the Straits, and as Lord
Curzon had made this his main pro-
posai tho answer means that England
must find other means of fighting off
the Turks or so it alone
The Tribune correspondent is also
reliably informed that Italy stands sol
idly behind the French In this position.
The full statement OF the stand taken
by France may be expected within
twenty-four hours, and it may be ex-
pected to reject the proposal Of inter
Allied feet protection Of the straits. As
the situation stands tho Turks are de-
ternined to cross into Europe within a
fortnight, and they declare that even
all the naval forces OF the Allies cannot
prevent them. II seems, therefore, that
only mediation can prevent conflict.
Could Run Blockade
The population at both ends of the
straita, where the invasion would be
1il-o11, 10 ;r ;,, ron
thy with tho Turks, and it is believed
that they will be able to run tho block
ade at night at will The French be-
lieve that the Turks will be able to
make their way across unless warships
10 a number not at the command of the
Allies intervene.
From the highest source The Trib-
une correspondent has learned the re-
suit Of the conference between General
Pele and Mustapha Kemal which has
just been concluded at Smyrna. The
chief of the victorious Turks told the
French Commissioner that he would
be able to hold the rank and file in
check for about ten days, but after
that his troops would cross 10 the
European side, where they would find
a warm welcome from their brethren,
who would provide them with every,
MSdnS IOE luTtUeI aONaHSS. NS''~'
emphasized his belief that not even
the combined fleets of the Allies could
prevent his troops from crossing from
ore friendly coast TO another. They
would use small boats, he said, and
slip by under cover of darkness.
The Turkish commander said that
in event he was prevented from occu
pying Thrace he would continue his
war against England in Asia. He told
the French High Commissioner that
the only alternative he had to offer
was that England and France promise
to place no obstruction in the way of
full restoration Of European Turkey,
including Thrace, Adrianople and the
line to Martha. This, he said, would
cur, the spirit of the holy war that is
growing among his men. Nothing less
would permit him to keep command,
he asserted. He warned the Allies
that he would not be responsible for
events If they failed TO heed the de-
-mands of the Turkish army.
Counter Proposal Probable
Although the outcome OF to-day's
conference at the Quai d'Orsay may be
altered in some details, the corre-
spondent is able to draft the French
plan in general terms. With regard
to Thrace and Constantinople a counter
proposal will be made to the Angora
government. 1t will propose the free
dom of the straits in general terms,
with the possible turning over of these
waters to some neutral power-Nor-