THE NEAR EAST.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 February 1923, Page 2

THE NEAR EAST.

“THE TIMES” SERVICE. BRITAIN'S’ ATTITUDE. PARIS, Jan 30. At a meeting of the Council of the League of Nations Sir A. J. Balfour announced that if the Turks rejected the Arbitration of the League and as a consequence peace seemed threatened, Britain would invoke Article. Eleven of the covenant which provides that the League take action to safeguard tho peace of nations, in the event*of any threat of war. The Council merely took note of Sir A. Balfour’s declaration and passed on to other business.

BRITISH POLICY IN ASIA MlNOftr PARIS, Jan. 30. In the address to the League ot Nations Council, wherein he announced that it the Turks rejected arbitration in connection with the Irak frontier's, Britain would invoke Article Eleven of tho Covenant, Lord Balfour said that Britain was simply acting in accordant with her mandate. He regretted that the Turks did not accept Lord Curzon’s proposal that the League should arbitrate regarding the frontiers of tho mandated territory, and he hoped that this, which was tlie fairest method of dealing with the matter, would ultimately lie accepted. He thought that a threat to tho world’s peace would not> occur. Nevertheless, precautions must lie taken. If there were no threat and no danger of attack on tho Irak frontiers, no nation would rejoice more than Britain. Although Turkey was not a member of the League, she could participate tii the discussion, wherein sho would lie welcome, and would he treated with perfect equality. M. Viviani said that no Power, whether a League member or not. need fear any lack in tho League Council’s’ fairness. The Council had noted Lord Curz,>n's appeal. It would not take niTfoir until peace was endangered. I A US'ANNE CONFERENCE. . LAUSANNE, Jan 30. Two Conventions, the first for an exchange of populations, and the second for an exchange of war prisoners ami civil hostages, wore signed today. The former becomes part of the Peacje Treaty ,operating* ..after the signing there of. The latter i.s outsid< tho Treaty, and is operating immediately. At plenary session to-morrow, the Allies will present their peace terms. The Turks will submit counter pro-po.-als. . The Straits Commission meets on Thursday. It is generally expected that the |{ ussiau.s will attend this meeting, nor sign a Straits Convention. It is understood the treaty closely follows the Conference decisions. Turkey recognises Bri tains’ annexation of Cyprus, and Egypt’s status, and also tho French interests in Morocco and Tunis. A buffer State will be created between the Turks and the Greeks in the Maritza. region. Autonomy will he conferred on Imbros and Toned os, under Turkish sovereignty.