How Lausanne Looks From Turkey.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1923, Page 4

How Lausanne Looks From Turkey.

(By G.'Ward Price). CONSTANTINOPLE, Nov. 22

lit Constantinople, the place most interested, there is much foreboding about the Lausanne Conference. Ismet Pasha, the Nationalist delegate, is believed to have gone there with his hands fast tied by the decrees of the excited and extremist “Grand National Assembly” at Angora.

“Ismet’,s principal preoccupation with regard to Lausanne,” said an Allied diplomat who had seen the Turkish delegate (in his way through Constantinople, “is to avoid being enticed by the superior diplomatic skill of the Allies into making some concession which will land him in a court-martial when ho gets home.”

During the last month the more moderate spirits in the Nationalist Government have been ousted from control by the rabid fanatics who believe that the Turkish victory in Asia Minor is the prelude to a triumphant Islamic crusade against the Powers ol Western, Europe. In one respect the manifestations ol aggressive hostility towards all nonChristian Governments and institutions which this change has brought about have served the Allied cause, for they have reunited it. It is the duty of tbe Aliled Governments to give to the Turks all they have promised them and to get out of this costly and unprofitable occupation of the Turkish capital.

But if the wild men among the Turks seize control and conlront us at Lausanne with demands which would definitely injure important Allied interests it will he necessary to show a firm front.

That is what the Erench population of Constantinople, both commercial and diplomatic, has clearly realised during the past ten days, and it is to be hope I that their representations to the French Government may confirm tho attitude of Eranco-Britisli unity wind during the pasi day or two has alrciuli .surprised and irritated the extremist.aiming tho Turks and may yet brine them to a more reasonable Irnme oj mind.

The sooner Lausanne reaches a decision the better, for a most anomal mis and dangerous state of affairs ex ists in Constantinople. The small Allied Army, scattere(

about between Constantinople, ( lianak Kiiiiil, and Thrace, in the midst of : hostile ami largely armed population, has lost all the authority it exercised before the Nationalists usurped the functions ol the Sultan’s f.ovcruiiamt in the Turkish capital. Under its very eyes (lie Nationalists

aro preparing a revolution for the purpose of driving il out, which may well bring about in Constantinople iiseh events more terrible than even the Great War witnessed.

And only a few miles away, oil the Asiatic side, is concentrated a Turkish irinv of two to three hundred thousand

men. If Lausanne breaks down because tbe Turks make demands that arc utferiy impossible, their throat will be to put •be so destructive forces, in motion. if ! hat happens, Erench, Italian, British indeed. ail Christian- lives and property in the Near East will be ill equal peril, and it is essential in the interests of them all that by a linn and loyal policy of mutual support, backed l. v their far vaster resources ol strength, tbe Allies shall inspire a respect in the Turks which will lead them back to more moderate counsels. SHAH LAND’S VINEGAR for tastiest salads and pickles. No trace of mineral acids. Brewed from pure cane sugar. Doctors recommend Ontmnll S'.out. brewed by tbe Lion Brewery Coy., Auckland. bottled in crown top. Bottles in quarts ami pints especially for .Mark Sprat and Go. Lit!. On sale at all leading hotels; ativ of which will supply small boltes for borne consumption at one shilling per hot lie. Lion ale, too. is par excellence light and refreshing.- Advt.