The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-09
ALLIES STANDING. AGAINST. DEMAND IF TURKS
Commanders of Cruisers In. structed to Ignore UIti- matum to Leave Smyrna
 Harbor


 Press.)-The allies are standing firm ly on their positions in regard to Smyrna 1t was declared tonight at the foreign office. and their small the British cruiser Curacoa. The commanders have been instructed not to obey the Turkish demand that they evacuate the harbor, and are under strict orders to open fire if attacked.
 The American and Dutch war craft are expected to leave. it was said, because the United States and Hoi- land are not signatories of the ar mistice arranged with the Turks at Mudania.
 The French government still is tion, although 1t is felt that the Turks at Angora will not assume the re- sponsibility for deliberate hostilities against Great Britain and France. The question now. it is thought. Is whether the Angora government, after having told the allies to get out of smyrna. will be able to keep the Turkish officers at that port in hand.
 CONSTANTINOPLE. Feb. s.-The governor of Smyrna is reported to have informed the French consul there that he has extended by 24 hours, the time within which the allied warships must leave smyrna harbor. The governor is said to have decided upon the postponement in or der that he may receive instructions from the Angora government.
 AMERICA NOT INVOLVED
 WASHINGTON, Feb. s.-Official advices ytaday showed that Turkish authorities at Smyrna did not include the American destroyer Edsall as among foreign war craft ordered out of that port. The Turkish comman- der elected to construe orders from his government closing the port to foreign warships of more than 1,ooo tons burden as not applying to the of official record the ship does slightly exceed that size.
 In any event the question which allied nations have had to face, in connection with the Smyrna order is not before the United States govern ment.
 The Edsall or some other destroyer will remain at Smyrna to look out for American interests.
 Published explanations of the Turkish reasons for ordering foreign war craft out of Smyrna harbor would indicate that 1t was not ln- tended by the Angora government to include American or any other neu- tral craft in this prohibition.
 Source of Danger.
 It has stated that the Angora gov ernment viewed the presence of al- lied warships at smyrna as possl- ble source of danger to the Turkish army in the event of further hostili- ties between Turkish and Greek forces
 Since the United States is not an ally of Greece against Turkey, and is not and has not been at war with Turkey. the same argument could not apply to American ships in smyrna harbor.
 Reports that the American vice consul at smyrna had protested joint ly with the allied representatives with the warship exclusion order, have not been confirmed in official advices. So far as the state depart ment knows. no such action has been taken nor have any instructions been sent to the consul or to American representatives in Constantnople to make a protest
 In view of the reported Turkish purpose to close Smyrna harbor py laying mines, 1t is s,reported to be as sumed that American vessels will move in or out of Smyrna only when urgent errands require and then with the c1epfe tlnn ef I'ltAsii anrhor-7 ities Wno, -Serld ssa< turaiis tgrntsh pilots J'ise clostfl'e cf tiis tarSor was expeeiaa to necnrla e4fectlYe t3oas