THE TURKISH PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 279, 21 August 1919, Page 5

THE TURKISH PROBLEM

SETTLEMENT VITAL TO OUR EMPIRE STATEMENT BY MR. LLOYD GEORGE By Telerrapli—Press Association—' Copyright London, August l'J. In the course of his speech in the House of Commons, Mr. Lloyd beorgo said that the delay ill concluding peace with Austria, Bulgaria, and Turkey was duo to the fact that the Allies were waiting to know whether America was prepared to take a share in guaranteeing protection to the peoples who, if unprotected, would be subject to terrorism, plunder, and murder. The future ol the British Empire depsnded upon the settlement of tlio Turkish question. lhe Government had received appeals troin ail quarters, including the International Conference at Lucerno, not to withdraw its troops from the Caucasus, and the inhabitants luid also appealed to the samo effect, a fact of which he was proud. There were also other places from which the Government could not withdraw all tho troops at present., but iio promised that tho Army Estamutes would be examined on tho basis that the great menace in Europe had ended, flJiu hence, considerable reductions could be effected. They must remember, however, that soldiers' pay had been trebled, and tho cost of material had doubled. The greatest economy could be eftectea if the great nations which had promoted the League of Nations trusted it. If they increased armaments the League was a sham. Those who believed in it most must trust it most. Britain was read]' to trust it. Let tho others do likewise.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.