THE NEAR EAST.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1922, Page 2

THE NEAR EAST.

heuter’b telegrams. LONDON, November 13. Evidence is accumulating thai tho Turks have changed their attitude towards .the French. In addition to desecrating graves in Smyrna they Jl&jfeg destroyed the French soap Works'Xiii*-Asia-Minor, and are renewing their demands regarding Syrian frontiers. The French, so far, have not taken any steps to reinforce troops at Constantinople. PARIS, November 13. M. Poincaire informed Mr Harding, President of America, he is unable, owing to pressure of parliamentary lmsij ness to go to London, therefore he I suggests the preliminary conference l>e held in Paris or Lausanne. AN INTERVIEW. PARTS, November 13. Esmet Pasha, interviewed at Lausanne, said the postponement of the Conference would be a serious mistake. The Turkish army and people could not he kept in a state of anxiety and' intense strain. There is the gravest danger of incidents producing a- conflict between the Turks and Allies.

AT CONSTANTINOPLE, LONDON, November 13. The “Daily Express” Constantinople correspondent states that 140 members of the ex-Sultan’s Palace staff went in body to the British Embassy begging for protection. They remained at the general headquarters all night and then one said:—“l am not afraid. He went out but was shot dead immediately. The rest are panic stricken, and are now staying at the Irish Guards Barracks, awaiting a ship to take them to Malta. A DIPLOMATIC EXCUSE. PARIS, November 13. It is here officially explained the delay in the High Commissioners taking united action on the subject of martial law at Constantinople is entirely due to the French Government’s telegram, instructing their Commissioner to act with his colleagues in this matter being delayed three days in transmission. TURK LEADERS PROTEST. PARIS, November 13. Advices from Lausanne state Ismet Paslia had professed to lie astounded when he learned of tile Allies’ postponement of the Peace Conference. He declared that‘the Allies have assumed a serious responsibility. He added: “I tell you, frankly, that this delay is dangerous! It is not easy to hold hack a whole nation and a whole army in the uncertain state in which the armistice now stands. The tension is intolerable for one whole .nation, which asks only for peace on the word of France. Because of my confidence in you I have done a thing very few generals would be able to. - I stopped our victorious and enthusiastic troops suddenly on lines that were arbitrarily drawn. I have actually told them “You must go no further!” There is the sea, Scutari, and Constantinople —everything you drenm ofl I order, you to camp on this very spot. At t’ ** same time I promise you that Turkey shall lie reborn independent and sovereign. You will find that you have not fought in vain for so many long weary months.” 9

“1 atn,” he said, “now asked to fulfil these promises. I have left our armies behind me, in order to make peace possible.” I am now told “Not yet! We have to arrange matters!” “Let me ask your generals,” he continued what effects this fresh delay will have on the Turkish people, .and on the Sovereign Assembly representing it?” The situation is inextricably confused at Constantinople. Fighting may break out. Would it not bo better, seeing that Constantinople has l>een promised us, to leave the sole responsibility for order there in our hands? These delays are fatal! Let me say that we Turks are a free people and not a Colony. AYe are equals, and not the vassals!”

Ismet Pasha indignantly denied that the Angora Assembly hM demanded the closure of the French schools in Asia- Minor. He stated: “On the contrary, we have made the French language compulsory.”

WARNING FROM ALLIED GENERALS. CONSTANTINOPLE, Nov. 13. The Allied High Commissioners- have telegraphed to their Governments declaring the attitude of the Angora Assembly indicates that the adjournment of the Lausanne Conference will gravely compromise the suspension of hostilities. They emphasise that the elate of the conference should be fixed intmediately and unchangeably.

SERBIAN AA r AR MO AW. BELGRADE, November 13. The Government lias demanded of Parliament to pass an urgent war credit of thirty million sterling. NEAR FAST ANXIETY. PARIS. Nov 13. M. Poincare has invited Ismet Pasha to interview him at Paris; pending the; opening of the Lausanne Conference. The “Echo National” .says:—“This invitation .is a mistake, which will result in setting Britain against France as it may be said that M. Poincare gave an interview, to the Turks while hesitating to concede the same to Lord Curzon. This invitation may unfavourably impress the new British Ministers. who have proved so well disposed towards France. “Le Petit Parisien” says:—“France considers there must not be any Allied engaement. before the- Lausanne Conference that would interfere with the complete liberty of each nation. Britain on the other hand, demands a formal inter-AUied agreement. She even has made this a condition of her participation in the Lausanne Conference. AA r hilo a compromise is at the moment the two viewpoints nrff widely separated.