Τηλεγράφημα του Ε.Βενιζέλου προς τον Ε.Κανελλόπουλο σχετικά με τις προσπάθειες απομάκρυνσης των Ελλήνων από τη Σμύρνη.

Very Urgent High Commissioner of Greece, Constantinople. Kindly call immediately on Admiral Calthorp and tell him from my part that after the last news from Smyrna, there remains no doubt whatever that we are faced there with an organized effort on the part of the Turkish Government with the purpose of ousting us from Smyrna. Moreover, the editorial of the Turkish paper of Broussa which you have cabled to us is a distinct evidence of this effort, and in addition the assault against Perghamos, which is situated within the limits of our occupation proves this. According to the information cabled to me by General Nider, three columns of Turkish Army with comitadjis numbering in all about 18.000 men, are marching against Smyrna along the direction of the three railway lines. It is impossible for any one to believe that the concentration of such a force has taken place without Governmental organization. The condition in Smyrna became so serious, that yesterday as a meeting of the Supreme Council of the Conference, on account of the day being Sunday, I was obliged on my own responsibility to empower General Nider to take all the measures deemed necessary by the military situation, crossing if necessary the zone of occupation for the sake of dispersing the concentrating Turkish forces, because the further passive attitude of our army toward them might result in its destruction. Of course, I hastened to communicate this to the Supreme Council asking for their sanction and pointing out that this forced-on-us military operation does not in any way alter the limits of the zone of the occupation to which after dispersing the enemy's concentration and doing away with the enemy's danger, we will fully conform, according to the decision of the Conference. Moreover our today's request to Admiral Calthorp to attach English officers to our army units, proves our good faith. In addition, I beg Admiral Calthorp to send immediately officers to the theatre of operations who will examine on the place both the