A TURKISH APPEAL

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1920, Page 2

A TURKISH APPEAL

LLOYD GEORGE’S STRAIGHT REPLY. (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright./ LONDON, March 21. A delegation from the conference held at Calcutta to consider matters relating to the Khalifate, waited upon the Prime Minister at Downing Street and urged the restoration of the territorial status quo in Turkey, including the undisturb_ ed presence of the Sultan as Kbalif at Constantinople, and no transference of authority over Moslem holy places. The delegation emphasised the desirableness' of fostering Indian Moslem friendship. Hon Lloyd George replying, referred to Turkey’s declaration of war against Great Britain, in the midst of the most terrible struggle in history, by which the war was prolonged for. two years. “Wo are not going to abandon” he said, “in the case of Moslem countries like Turkey those principles that we ruthlessiy

applied to Christian countries • such as Germany and Austria. The some independence will be given to Mohammedans as to Christians. The princple of self determination will be applied to nonTurkish peoples, hitherto under Turkish rule, in the interests of civilisation. The Allies are hound to exercise control in Armenia, where the Turks have shown an incompetency to protect their own subjects, who were massacred wholesale.” The Premier stressed the fact that Indian Moslem opinion was-largely considered in the settlement of tlio Turkish question.