Lausanne Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1922, Page 3

Lausanne Conference.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. RUSSIAN VIEWS. LAUSANNE, Dee. 4. Tchitcherin said while Russians reserved the right to participate in other conferences, he for the moment would dwell oil three points—firstly, permanent liberty of edihmereiai trafficthrough the Straits must he assured ; secondly, the maintenance of peace in the Black Sea and security of its shores if pence is to he permanently guaranteed ; thirdly, the Dardanelles and Bosphorus must he closed to all warships, military and aircraft in peace as well as war time, for all the Powers, except Turkey.

THE STRAITS DISPUTE. (Received this dav at 0.30 a.m.) LAUSANNE. Dec 5. ■ Following on the Straits Debate at the Allied Conference which revealed complete unity, a Turkey communique was issued which stated: “We are masters on Reparian terirtory bordering the Straits. The Powers’ interest ask for free • passage through our possessions. We await offers or proposals. The communique c-rciated an impression that the Turks do not desire to avoid a discussion, Tchitcherin declared: “Russia is not a. conquered nation. Til© Allies wish to hind us jo that Others can arrive with a fleet. A) e are tl nation equal to the others and should be heard. Instead of that we are before a court which pronounces a sentence. AVe will not submit, Ibe solo possible solution of the Straits question is the restoration of the system which existed for centuries. Turkey should he empowered to open the Straits to commerce and to possess. fleets find forts in order to be able to close the Straits against warships.’’ j THE POPE’S APPEAL. (Received this day at 11.31) a.m.) LAUSANNE, Dec 5. The A’ a tiea n sent a note to the President of the Conference stating the Holy See receives daily from Constantinople increasing alarming news that Christians are panic stricken. Many fire knving the town, but many cannot, Those wishing to leave must undertake in writing not to return. Absentees’ property is sequestrated and possessions of Europeans, particnlai y

religious cougi-ogu-tunis. are in giea-t danger. Tlie arrival of irregular bands of outlaws is feared. Armenians are unable to escape and arc particular!' exposed to danger, and are terror stricken.- The Holy See asks insistently in the namo of Humanity, that the most prompt and most effective steps be taken to reassure these populations which have already suffered so much.