Lausanne Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1922, Page 2

Lausanne Conference.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. A BOMBSHELL. LAUSANNE, Dec 7. Child caused a sensation at to-day’s meeting by demanding full freedom of the Straits for American merchantmen find warships stating that the United States desired to be able to send her ships anywhere in the world where her citizens were. Lord Curzon who spoke first analysed Tchitchcrin-’s claim on behalf of Russia for equality of treatment and security of commerce for the Straits. He expressed an opinion chat the Russian was thereby claiming a favoured position and appealed to the Reparian Powers to Say whether the Russian proposals would be- regarded as a proper solution their interests. If nobody was allowed access to the privileged zone ‘Russia would be in a special position for converting the Black Sea into a Russian lake ">tb Turkey as a faithful guardian ol the Straits.»

LAUSANNE REPORT BETTER. LAUSANNE, Dee. G Earl Curzon is completely satisfied with the Allied discussions. M. Barrere remarked that it wos an excellent dav for the Entente.

The Balkan representatives are equally satisfied. The Allied pokey re- ■ .aiding the Si rails provides for the administration by an International Commission of Control including delegates of the Allies’ Black Sea States, Russio and Bulgaria. The Allies will insist that the Turks explain thenpolicy in order to find a asis for understanding. Mr Child informed Ismet that the American viewpoint favours the complete opening of the Straits to merchantmen with restrictions on the passage of warships. . Ismet denies that the position ot Christians in Constantinople causes anxiety and declares that the reports relative to insecurity of the Greeks are Greek manoeuvres designed to iniluence the negotiations for the exchange of Turkish and Greek populations. ’.ALLIED TERMS. LAUSANNE, Dec. 6. Lord Curnon said that M. Tehitcheriii was opposed to other Powers entering the Straits. Rootless this was owing to the preponderance of the British, but he-(Curzon) was cont*it to have a similar preponderance in the Black Sea, providing it was Russian. The Allies’ proposals, ho said, fell under two heads. Firstly there was the regulation of the passage of merchantmen and warships. Secondly there was the creation of demilitarised zones on the shores of the Straits. Certain factors must he borne in mind in order to secure a lasting solution in war time. Turkey, 1 being natural, would have a free passage for her warships, subject to the same limitation as during peace time regarding tin' numbers. When Turkey was belligerent, there would he complete freedom for neutral warships subject- to the same limitation.

LATKT SUGGESTION. PARIS, Dec. 5. Admission of the Russians to the Lausanne Conference lias created a new factor in the question of the ratification of the Treaty of Washington. The Treaty does dot limit the naval armament of Russia, but if the Straits question is decided contrary to Russia's desires, Russia will be at liberty to increase her naval strength. If she does, it is possible that other Powers will seize the pretext and declare it a breach of the Washington Agreement. “Lo Temps” suggests that the Treaty he ratified with reservations enabling the Powers to modify the programme in accordance with the new situation created by the Russian naval power, or else scrap the Washington Agreement, and negotiate a wider treaty to include Russia.