THE NEAR EAST

Hokitika Guardian, 4 April 1923, Page 2

THE NEAR EAST

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION. CONFESSIONS TO TURKEY. LONDON, April r. The Allied reply to the Turkish eou.:-ter-proposals suggests the prompt resumption of negotiations. It accepts in principle the proposal to redraft the clauses relating to Capitulations, with a view to securing the recognition to Turkey ol the benefit of reciprocity, as far as is practicable. It ictuses ’J urkev’s request to remove the economic clauses from the treaty, hut it expresses the opinion that an agreement could ho reached by mutual concessions. Jt declares that the Allies have invited their nationals, who have acquired interests in Turkey, to enter negotiations directly with the Turkish Government. In the event oi the negotiations resulting sticcesslully the Allies will mu insist upon the insertion in the treaty of their previously detailed provisions. The reply expresses the conviction that with equal goodwill on both sides peace could be concluded without difficulty. ALLIED NOTE TO TURKEY. A VAGUE DOCUMENT. LONDON. April f. The Allies Note leaves the Turks to fix the date of the next Lausanne conference. Otherwise it is a vague document, deliberately refraining from a definite refutation of the reiterated Turkish claims, and seeking to leave the door open for a resumption of negotiat ions. The Allied Note expresses surprise that Ismet Rasha should have reopened the various questions he accepted as settled at Lausanne, and should have raised several entirely new points. Nevertheless, in an earnest desire to expedite the conclusion oi a just an lasting peace, the Allies are ready to discuss Turkey’s counter proposals, on the distinct understanding that the economic clauses shall also be re-open-ed and re-considered. TURKISH ELECTIONS. LONDON. April 3. Tl.j Angora Assembly with Ismet Rasha’s approval has agreed to a dissolution and a general election on the |K ace terms. Komal Pasha in congratulating the Assembly said:—ln the iuikish world, there is not. and there cannot be. a sovereign or a dictator. There is only national sovereignty in this country." There is considerable speculation re the reason for the move. The prevalent opinion is that it is connected with the recent murder of Alichuki, which ],a.s raisad a storm. It is suggested that tho Kent a lists, seeing the danger of their popularity waning, as a result have, decided to act while they are better organised than the opposing sections.