LONDON CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 131, 26 February 1921, Page 7

LONDON CONFERENCE

TURKISH DELEGATES’ DEMANDS PRE-WAR FRONTIERS IN ASIA MINOR GREEK PREMIER’S APPEAL TO ALLIES (By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright London, February 24. A communique states: —Bekir Sami Bey (Kemalist representative) read a statement in which the United Turkish Delegation, demand; — 1. The 1913 frontiers of Asia Minor, the southern frontier to lie fixed in agreement with interested parties, separating it from the territories inhabited by an Arab majority. 2. On the east the frontier to be tho line between Turkey and Persia as before the war. 3. The frontier between Turkey and Armenia to be as fixed by the latest, treaty between the authorities at Angora and the Government of Erivan. 4. The Greeks to evacuate Smyrna, which is to return to the full sovereignty of Turkey. 5. Tile freedom of the Straits under Turkish sovereignty. 6. The withdrawal of foreign troops from Constantinople and Turkish territory after the ratification, of the treaty. 7. Complete financial and economic independence and a mutual valuation of reparation damages. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. February 25, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 24. The Supreme Council in the afternoon heard M. Calogeropoulos (Greece) regarding the ethnological statistics of Smyrna and Thrace. M. Calogeropoulos earnestly appealed to the Allies to finally settle the Near Eastern .problem on the basis of the Sevres Treaty. The Council then decided to invite the Turkish delegations to attend separately tomorrow. It is understood that eabh will be asked if they are prepared to accept the result of the Allies’ investigations as regards Smyrna and Thrace subject to the remaining terms of the Treaty of Sevres being accepted.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. London, February 24. After submitting the Turkish case to thn Conference. Bekir Sami Bey declared there would be war so long as Smyrna remained in foreign hands The Greek delegate refuted Bekir Sami’s contentions. Sixty .experts accompany Dr. von Simons and the German delegation. They are housed alongside the Turks.—‘The Times." “WAR APPEARSJNEVIT ABLE ” STATEMENT BY GREEK DELEGATE. London, February 24. The following official announcement has been made:—The Supreme Council sees the Turkish delegations to-morrow. The "Central News" interviewed the Greek delegate, who said that M. Calogeropoulos- (Premier) was utterly opposed to a further investigation of the populations of tho disputed territories. It looks as if an insurmountable barrier will be reached. Much as we detest it, war appears inevitable, for we shall net evacuate Smyrna. Tlie proceedings of the Conference today have been very disappointing. The Greeks are convinced that, tho Turkish claims are beyond all reason. Ihe Greek statistics had been accepted at the San Remo Conference, and no material change could have taken place in the last eighteen months. M. Venizelos has gone to Paris, and will not return during the conference.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. VIEWS OF ENGLISH PRESS DEMANDS REGARDED AS PREPOSTEROUS. (Rec. February 25, 8.25 p.m.) London, February 25. While admitting the magnitude- of Greece's burdens under the .Sevres Treaty, aud doubting her capacity to deal with (the Nationalist movement, the newspapers regard the Turkish demands as preposterous, if meant seriously. The "Morning Post” says: “We respectfully point out to our Turkish friends that Turkey did not win the war. General Allenby did not defeat the Turkish armies and German mentors in order to talk of mutual reparation. Nor after the blood and treasure expended in order to safeguard the Straits would British statesmen dare to place the guardianship again in uncertain hands." The "Daily Telegraph” says—" Turkey, -in the tone of a victorious belligerent, is reversing tho Gladstonian policy by requesting Europeans to remove themselves out of Asia.”

The newspapers doubt if France or Italv desires to restore' the Turkish rule in Christian countries. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn'.

THE GERMAN INDEMNITY

ITALY DEMANDS INCREASED SHARE. Rome, February 24.

The Foreign Affairs Committee, has sent a Note to the London Conference demanding that Italy s share of the indemnity be increased to 20 per cent. declaring that the taxation of German exports is detrimental io Italy; and also demanding that Italy’s debts to the Allies should be chargeable on her indemnity. -—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

WHAT BRITAIN HAS RECEIVED. London, February 24. Mr Austen Chamberlain, replying to a question in the House of Commons, said that Britain had received from the Reparation Committee 3181 tons of dyestuffs and 30-1 ships, of which 262 had been sold for .£13,600,(M0, less £3,100,000 eost of repairs. Tho War Office had received 3-46,000,000 marks local currency, for current needs of the Army of Occupation.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SPEECH BY VON SIMONS

"WE SHALL STAND FIRM.” * (Rec. February 25, 8.25 p.m.) Berlin, February 25.

Dr. von Simons, in a final speech before leaving for London, stated that the experts had not yet reached an agreement as to the counter-proposals, but submitted a plan for paying Germany’s opponents, while keeping within the bounds of practicability. He added: “The French newspapers declare that there will not be any question at Txmdon of altering the Paris decisions. Tn that case we shall go in vain.” Tie concluded by appealing to tlie nation not to budge, and he said: “You may be assured we shall stand firm.” —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.