TURKS TO RESIST THE TREATY OF PEACE.

GRAND VIZIER’S ATTITUDE.

ARMY COLLECTING IN THRACE.

From Perceval Landon. Constantinople, Saturday (Delayed).

The attempted partition of Armenia, to which I referred two days ago, seems to have incited the Eastern Nationalists in Erzeroum to prompt threats of joining the other Republics in their division of the spoil. Kiazim Kara Bekir, their commander, was wrongly reported in the Press here to have already advanced into Armenia. What actually occurred was, it seems, that the Bolsheviks in Azerbaijan, fearing that the important centres of Kars and Ardahan might fall into Georgian hands, offered to send Kiazim military assistance from Enzeli. The point is one worth noting in connection with the probable direction of the further advance of this Red migration.

Definite news comes from Thrace that Jaffer Tayer has organised a complete levy of 36,000 Turks to be concentrated in Kuchan, Rodosto, and Kirk-kilisse. Under this scheme Adrianople will not be defended, but burned. Bulgars continue to come to his assistance, 10,000 being already attached to his forces. In face of this opposition the Greeks now propose to occupy only Western Thrace up to the Maritza, trusting, in spite of definite warning to the contrary, that the international control of the Straits will compel the Allies to come to their help in dealing with the resulting chaos. The Turkish Government has ceased to issue roseate, but unconvincing, communiqués with regard to their progress in Anatolia. Instead, they announce that no further steps involving bloodshed will be taken against the Nationalists, who, on their side, have consolidated their position near Ada Bazar, and are putting to death fifteen prominent anti-nationalist Turks of that district. Their resistance has been strengthened from inside Constantinople by the recent formation of the party of “Moderate Nationalists,” who, on the single issue of the rejection of the terms, undertake co-operation with Mustapha Kemal; and, by the announcement of Damad Ferid Pasha, the Grand Vizier, made on the occasion of a semipublic audience, that he cannot sign the Treaty of Peace in its existing shape. The Grand Vizier’s intention is to proceed at once to Paris to conduct negotiations, as the delay in receiving information has become intolerable. The Treaty has not yet been received, either by the Turkish Government or by the High Commissions.

The Treaty was handed to the Turkish delegates in Paris on May 11, and a full synopsis of it appeared in The Daily Telegraph on May 12. They were given one month in which to formulate their observations, and this period would expire on June 11, but the Turks have now asked for an extension of time.

GREECE AND THRACE.

The following official communiqué was issued at Athens on Saturday:

“The occupation of Thrace continues under normal conditions. The railway line Kuleliburgas, also the towns of Souffli, Fredjik, and Demotika have been occupied without incident by strong military detachments. The advance of the Greek troops covering the Bulgarian frontiers proceeds normally.

“The Greek army is being received everywhere with marked enthusiasm and full confidence.” Athens, Saturday.

It is officially announced that Karagatch, a suburb of Adrianople, has been occupied by a strong Greek force. The occupation of Western Thrace has thus been completed. – Reuter.

TURKS ROUTED BY FRENCH.

Paris, Monday.

A message dated May 28 received here from Beirut says: “A column that was marching to restore communications with Aintab encountered between Kilis and Aintab a strong contingent of Turkish regulars and irregulars which had entrenched itself. This contingent was routed, and numerous prisoners, including a Turkish colonel and two majors, some standards, and a quantity of war booty were captured. The enemy left 1,200 dead on the field. The column occupied Aintab.” – Reuter.

CRISIS IN CAUCASUS.

From A French Correspondent. Paris, Monday Night.

The Moscow Government is trying to initiate pourparlers with the governments of Georgia and Armenia in order to make them participate in an offensive against Batoum. It is reported from Baku that the Englishmen who fell into the hands of the Bolsheviks are treated very badly, and even compelled to sweep the streets.