“Sunday, July 17, 1922. Day of Asia Minor Freedom. Because from yesterday Greece handed over Asia Minor to itself and called on it to organize itself into a free state under the protection of the Greeks. This issue, i.e., the proclamation of the autonomy of Asia Minor under the guarantees of the Greek army, was devoted to an editorial – hence the quotation – and several more articles in Kathimerini of July 18, 1922.

The minutes of the council of ministers “for the granting of broad self-government to the population of Asia Minor under Greek military occupation” was delivered by an officer traveling on the warship Tenedos to Aristides Stergiadis, High Commissioner of Greece at Smyrna. In fact, he stated: “This work is entrusted to the High Commissioner of Smyrna, who is authorized by the government on behalf of the Greek state to create a state organization in Western Asia Minor in the above sense.”

The announcement of the event and the posting of Stergiadis’ announcement on the streets of Smyrna caused a stir, according to the report: “Musicians walk around the city in the morning, playing joyful songs and announcing a joyful event that is welcomed by the people. with unbridled enthusiasm as a temporary solution that will lead to the permanent annexation desired by the Greeks in the future.” The editorial, of course, noted another dimension of the movement in question: “Micrasia becomes autonomous, Treaty of Sèvres [σ.σ. «οχυρό» της ελληνικής διπλωµατίας την προηγούµενη περίοδο] catalyzed. It is necessary to authorize offline mode and the need to replace the expired contract with another one seems imperative.”

Regarding the other big topic of the day, the advance of the Greek army towards Constantinople, the newspaper reported: “From the information transmitted to the government, it is concluded that the Powers are refusing to comply with the request of Greece to occupy Constantinople. However, there is no doubt that the powers, especially France and England, realized the need for an early consideration of the Eastern question.