The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-09-30
SITUATION STILL
EXTREMELY Tense
IN TROUBLED AREA
Hostile Note From Mustapha
Renal Believed to Close
Door to Pacific Settle
ment of Question

Constantinople, September 20
situation between the British and the
Turkish nationalists was extremely
tense tonight.
A note from Mustapha Kemal
Pasha to Brigsdier 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 from the Asistic side OF
the straits. a. the French and
Italians have done, md says In
case of acquienscence he Will
withdraw the nationalist forces
slightly" from the neutral zone.
1t also demands the cessation OF
what are termed the arbitrary mea-
sures of the British authorities in
Constantinopie In dealing with the
Turkish population and solemn I'M
darstanding that no Creek vessel
shall be permitted to pass the OAR
danellee. II concludes with protest
against the destruction OF Turkish
war material in the Straits.
Flepiies to Harrington
The note OF Kemal was In reply to
the last written communication of
General Harrington. transmitted
through HamiS Bey. the nationalist
representative in Constanrinopie to
Kemal in Smyrna.
1t is felt in British circles TO.
night that they would be forced to
modifyl their conelliatory attitude
modify their coHciliatory attitude
heavy artillery with which they
would be able to threaten seriously
the European side of the Dardanelles
and also hamper passage of British
vessels through the straits.
/, SIX British submarines have ar
rived and will be used to prevent the
transport of Turkish troops across
the Sea of Marmora In the event OF
war & s.ves n the British and the
Turka The British also have posted
batteries In strategic positions ON the
heights of schanliga, eastward of
ScutArl and at Mal-Tepeh. on the
IIaidar Pass railway. facing Prinkipo
isleNd. These positions are on the
,Az{htte alde.of the. Bosphorus.. a short
disfaBce from Constantinopie.
Some Optimism Felt
Some optimism was felt today over
the meeting between NJ. franklin.
Bouillon, the French envoy and Mus
tapha Renal Pasha at Smyrna. where
there was a conference on the gem
eral situation. Later, while on the
way to EskiShehr. Renal received
message calling him to Angora to
discuss with the government the ma
tionailst reply to the allied demands.
Therefore General Harrington has
postponed his departure for Mu-
dania to meet Renal Meanwhile
the Turkish leader has given assur-
ance that his troops will not advance
further than the neutral zone.
The belief prevails in British mill
tary circles that Greece may be asked
to cvacuate Thrace by October 10.
This would permit the Kemaiists to
enter Thrace by. ports on tho Sea OF
Marmora, avoid violation OF the
Straits and satisfy the Kemalist de-
mand for possession of Thrace be-
fore the proposed peace conference
begins.
II is held that the Greek revoiu-
ton has radically altered the Thra-
cean situation and that there Is no
certainty the new Athens government
will be able to maintain an efficient
army there, even pending the settle
ment OF peace. IT is suggested that
IL Greece refuses to evacuate Thrace
an allied fleet may blockade the
Greek mainland.