THE NEAR EAST.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 October 1922, Page 3

THE NEAR EAST.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. TURKS ATTITUDE. LONDON, October 13. The “Morning Post's” Constantinople eorrespondent forecasts that Turkey will regard the Peace Conference, not as one following on their late defeat in the world war, hut ns one alter their own successful war of liberation. Thus they will approach the Conference with the intention of establishing Turkey as a fully independent nation, oil an equal basis with the other nations, and quite unhampered by the “Capitulations” and any other special restrictions.

Turkey will probably accompany its demand with sword brandishing (says the eorrespondent) as it did’ at Miulauia Conference. Hence arises the Turkish desire' that the Conference should meet on the Kemalist’s territory.

PARTS, October 12. It is nntlioiitativelv stated that the Greek Government’s authorisation for the signature of the Mudania Protocol only reached General Mngarnkis after the Mudania Conference had dispersed. The Greek Government has intimated a willingness to ratify the agreement within three days. GENEVA. October 11. Dr Nansen, as the League of Nations Refugee Commissioner, meets Kemal ( Pasha within a few days to discuss j the whole question of the refugees from Asia Minor. Dr Nansen subsequent- 1 ly confers with the Greek Government. CONSTANTINOPLE, Oct. 12. The newspaper “Vnkit” describes the Mudania agreement as being not only an armistice, hut a peace preliminary, which has satisfied most of the Turkish aspirations bloodlessly. Tho | paper hopes that the same goodwill will be shown at the Peace Conference. ' TURKS JUTITLANT. ! CONSTANTINOPLE, October 12. The Turkish quarters of the city are he flagged, most of the. inhabitants wel- j coming the agreement, some if only he- ( cause a rupture with Britain is avoid- j ed. i

The Turkish forces have withdrawn from Ghebzeh, hut there is still no backward move from Channk. ATHENS. October 12. The news of the signature of the agreement is received here with iosiguation as an unavoidable evil. TRAK AND BRITAIN. LONDON. October 11. Official: Tlie treaty between Britain and Irak was signed at Baghdad on Tuesday. Sir Percy Cox, High Commissioner. declared tha.t Britain would speedily secure the delimitation of Irak’s frontier, in order that when the treaty was ratified stable government would he assured. Irak could seek membership in the League of Nation.-, after which Britain’s mandatory responsibilities would cease. The treaty operates for 20 years, and gives Britain control of Irak’s foreign affairs and finances. Britain, in return, gives military and financial assistance. King Feisul undertakes to

frame an organic law providing for a oi. Constituent Assembly, n constitution *■ to maintain religious freedom and an open door for trade with all nations. Government circles claim that the treaty forms a complete reply to the allegations that Britain was exploiting Trnk for commercial purposes.

POINCARE EXPLAINS. (Received tins dav at 8 a.m.) LONDON. Oct 13

Til re-opening the Chamber M. Poincare replying to critics of France’s Near Eastern policy, explained that troops were sent tq Cbanak without his being consulted, or Fuel), and tin sending of the ultimatum to Britain that the sole object of the decision was Co avoid a conflict with Turks. Tlics" troops were in danger and the first shot would have caused a general war. To avoid this ,a general withdrawal was ordered. M. Poincare’s statemen)!, was loudly cheered.