The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-10-04
TURKS MAY
START WAR
ANY MINUTE
Situation on the Dar-
danelles Has Reach
ed the Most Critical
Stage

Constantinople. Sept. 20 (By the
Associated Press@-The situation.
between the British and the Turk
ish nationahs.s was extremely tense
! tonight.
A note from Mustapha Kemai
Pasha to Rrigadier General Har-
ington, the british commander.
couched in a hostile tenor. was
considered by British military
circles here as closing the door to
"a pacific settlement Of the straits
question. The prospects OF an
armed conflict were considered
more evident than previously.
The note Of Kemal demands the
retirement of all the British troops
| fl om the Asiatie side of the straits.
| as the French and Italians have
done and saws in. case of acquies-
cence he will withdraw the ma
/; tionalist forces slightly from
the neutral zone.
1t also demands the cessation Of
what are termed the arbitrary
measures of the British authori-
! ties in Constantinople in dealing
with the Turkish population and
/! contains solemn warning that no
Greek vessel shall be permitted to
pass the Dardanelles 1t concludes
with protest against the destruc-
ton of Turkish war material in
the straits
The note OF Kemal was in reply
to the last written communication
of General Harrington, transmitted
through Hamid Bey, the Nation
aHst representative in constan-
tinople to Kenaal in Smyrna.
It is felt IN British circles to-
night that they would be forced
Ito modify their conciliatory at
! titnde at the moment the Turks
!! bring up. heavy artillery with which
they would be able to threaten Sc.
riously the European side Of the
Dardanelles and also hamper pas.
sage OF British vessels through the
straits
Six submarines OF the British
Atlantic feet have arrived and dswii].
be used to prevent the, transport
of Turkish troops across The Sea
Of Sfarmora in the event Of war be-
tween the British and the Turks. : :.
The; British also have posted,
batteries IN strategic positions on.
the heights OF ,Chanriga. eastward
OF zScutarf.: and at Mal-Tepeh. Oh
the Haidar. Pass railway, facing
Prfnkipo island. These positions.
are on the. Asiatic side Of the Bos-
! pherus; a short distance from
.constantinople.
Some optimism was felt today
over the meeting between NJ.
Franklin-Bouillon, the French en-
vos, and Mustapha Kemal Pasha at
Smyrna, where there was a con-
ference on the general situation.
Later, while oasthe way to Eski-
shehr. Kemal received message
calling him to .Angora to discuss
with the government the National
list reply to the allied demands.
Therefore General Harrington has
postponed his departure. for Mu-
dania to meet Kemal.
Meanwhile the Turkish leader
has given assurance that his troops
will not advance further than the
neutral zone !. -
The belief prevails in British
military circles that Greece may he
asked to eyacuate Thrace by oc-
tober 10. This would permit the
Kemalists TO. enter Thrace by ports
| on the sea Of Marmora. avoid q
violation of the straits and satisfy
the KemaIst demand for posses
sion of Thrace before the proposed
peace conference begins.
1t is held that the Greek revolu-
ton has radically altered the
Thracean situation and that there
is no certainty that the new Ath-
ems government will be able to
maintain an efficient army there.
! even pending the settlement Of
peace. 1t is suggested that if
Greece refuses to eyacuate Thrace
an allied fleet may blockade the
] Greek mainland.