At the end of last week it looked as though
war could hardly be averted. Sir Charles Harington had reported to the Govern- ment that the situation at Chinak was virtually impossible owing to "the advance of the Turks. The Turks had come up to the British wire entanglements, and though they behaved in an elaborately peaceful manner they were able to inspect all our positions at their leisure. The British Government replied that they would give their complete support to General Harington and the British Admiral in whatever steps they thought necessary to demand and see've the withdrawal of the Turks from Chanak. The Government may not have intended to deliver an ultimatum to the Turks, but they in effect proposed to General Harington that he should send one. Fortunately the man advised was wiser than the advisers. He reasoned with Kemal instead of ordering him off.
