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Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1923, Page 2

'fin: interruption, as il appears to be rather than the breakdown, of the Lausanne Conference in respect to the revision ol the peace treaty between the Allies and the Turks, has served to disclose the tactics of the Turks and incidentally to demonstrate a spark of life in the- Anglo-French Entente. At an earlier stage, France appeared disposed to play somewhat fast and loose with the Turks without reference to the Allies. This encouraged the Turks to believe there was a breach between Hriiain and France, and there seemed the hope that the former might he isolated. Even if Britain were isolated her naval and military strength, to say nothing of her financial resources, would have made her rather an overwhelming opponent for Turkey. Still the Turks pursued tile tactics of bluff to the very end, when the Allied delegates dispersed. The Turks were not long in realising that they had been hoisted by their own petard, and while not securing The concessions offered them at Lausanne, they were hack to the former treaty conditions, and would be in a fair way to lose all they hoped to gain from Greece, together with the other liberal concessions from the Allies. In grasping for a shadow, they were in danger of losing the substance' and according to latest accounts are now prepared to be more amenable to reason. Tf a conference reassembles Turkey will be lucky to get what she has so far refused. It would be a salutary lesson to the Turks as also to recalcitrant enemy forces, if they were penalised for their backing and filling by sterner conditions than those offered. The bluff that was attempted and failed, indicated that Turkey was not prepared for the alternative of war, and the Allies can well afford to take count of the new situation created. At host the new situation seems to give a much clearer view of the Near East position. Britain and France are in accord and Turkey must submit to the treaty terms or take the consequences of the action. The terms are generous, we are told, which indicates that the Allies are prepared to avoid war at a very reasonaide sacrifice, but there is a limit, beyond which they will not go. Til other words they seek peace with honor, and the Turk will be well advised to join readily in the compact.

Tire Franco-German situation is not showing signs of clearing though matters must necessarily be marching to n crisis. France has t ken on a very large order. Franco with less than forty millions of people is up against Germany with something lxdow sixty millions of people. It is a bloodless combat, hut the German character is more adaptable to the strain than the Franeh. Stolid and stubborn, a war of passive resistance, is something of second nature to the Germans. The French impatient and volatile will find If hard to play a waiting game and

keep up the dignity of the conquerors they me. Tho German passive resistance seems to be growing. It is encouraged by the Government, while the non-co-operation of the principal Allies is another reason to count against France, which lacking tho moral support and guidance of her chief bene- ! factors might overact the part which is being attempted. France has all the advantage in force behind her but there comes a time when might cannot j prevail always. Germany bad to learn that lesson at a very high cost and it J would appear tho experience for France will also be costly. There are of course various contradictory reports about the internal situation, but sufficient time has elapsed for France to make some material impression with her objective if matters were progressing at all favorably. German industry in the occupied area is being dislocated, but this state of affairs only gives Germany a further good plea to ask for more time when the essential points of the reparations come to he settled France on the other hand is running ip) a huge hill which seems to be not only wasted effort, but also a wasted monetary cost, adding a further burden to her own people. Under the most favorable circumstances the excursion into Germany is a very great charge upon France dislocating, also, her own internal affairs. What success or advantage she is at all deriving is by tlie use of her own people, all of whom have to be drawn from her own industries, or commercial pursuits. The sequence of events are sadly in keeping with what was forecasted, but against the most friendly advice Franco persisted in her mad cap escapade, and the penalty will strike home probably as much as upon Germany which she bad hoped to worst so decisively at the outset.