THE NEAR EAST.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 October 1922, Page 3

THE NEAR EAST.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. MUDANIA CONFERENCE. (Received tliis day at 10 a.m.) LONDON, Oct 2. Official circles believe tbe decision to hold a conference at Mu dan in is a high tribute to the tact and patience of General Harington, Rumbold and Brock. Nevertheless they point out many difficulties are still encounterable. The British, policy adheres unswervingly to the Paris note, which entails not only the withdrawal of Turks from the neutral zones, but the withdrawal of Greeks to Maritza line, Eastern Thrace. The latter is regarded as equally difficult to bring about, ns the former, in view of the revolutionaries rallying point being for the defence of Thrace.

MISSIONS IN TURKEY (Received this day at 10 a.m.) CONSTANTINOPLE, Oct 2. Ismet Pasha (Commander- of the western front) represents Turkey at Mudania. The* Allied mission to Thrace will consist of the French stall for Adrianople, Italian for Luleburgas, British for Rodosto. The mission’s object is the protection of the population and maintenance of order. FRENCH PRESS COMMENT (Received this day at 10 n.m.) PARIS, Oct 2. The press generally welcomes the improved outlook in the Near East as j a triumph for Anglo-French diplo-j macy. The “Echo de Paris” says it would be foolish to be over optimistic. Wliilo the situation at Chnnnk has eased, the Straits question is still unsettled.

SOVIET HELP. HELSINFORS, Oct 2. The Soviet has intimated to Angora her willingness to protect Turkish interests. Russian troops are now eoncentarting in Caucasia with advance divisions at Batuin. SOVIET NOTE. (Received this day at 1.5 p.m). LONDON, October 2. The Soviet sent another note to Britain strongly protesting against the blockade of the Straits and point out that Russia in order to accomplish reconstruction, placed numerous orders for goods, most of which would ho forwarded through the Straits. The Powers which refused to renew normal economic relations were thus preventing the carrying out by her own efforts, tile work of reconstruction. The blockade is a new proof that the Powers for whom the navigation of Black Sea is not vital, would always be able tr. threaten the peaceful economic life i f States bordering on the Black Sea. The liberty of the Straits, in the name | of which Europe is again preparing to \ spill blood, merely signified liberty of the Entente Powers to blockade Straits under any pretext. Russia supports liberty to merchant vessels which would j completely free the straits from foreign naval forces and insists on the raising of the- blockade. j

It is semi-oflicinlly stated that nothing is known of the alleged blockade.

TURKISH ROYALTY. (Received tliis day at 1.5 p.m). MALTA, (let 2. The Princess and Princesses of the Ottoman Royal Family, who nrriveu from Constantinople, have departed for Naples.