THE NEAR EAST CRISIS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2484, 23 September 1922, Page 1

THE NEAR EAST CRISIS.

PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT PREDICTED. BETTER. FEELING IN PARIS. PARIS, Scpb 20. The British Note on the Near Eastern question has created a good impression. A spirit of optimism has succeeded the almost tragic anguish which ran through the press. In fact, the papers interpret- the British Note as meaning that the British Government: is desirous of returning the troops in Asia Minor to the European shore with it view to avoiding a possible conflict. The Petit, Parisien, in predicting a peaceful settlement, declares that the Turks will not attempt to attack .Constantinople or Gallipoli before opening peace pourparlers. —A. and N.Z. cable. NEW ZEALAND FLAG AT KELIA. PREPARATIONS TO DEFEND NARROWS. LONDON, Sept. 20. The Australian and New Zealand flags are flying at Kelia, opposite Chanak. The Anzac war graves party are assisting in the preparations lot' the defence of the Narrows by contributing the resources of the depot workshops and labour.—United Service. BRITISH TROOPS' AT CHANAK. RUMOURED WITHDRAWAL DENIED. LONDON, Sept. 20. The officials deny that the British troops are being withdrawn from Chanak, or even that this step is contemplated. So far as it is known, the British troops are remaining alone there. Greek troops have not been in the area for some time.—A. and N.Z. cable. JAPAN HOLDING ALOOF. WILL NOT INTERFERE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. XOIvIO, Sept. 20. A Foreign Oilice official stated that in no circumstances would Japan participate in the Turkish trouble. "No interference" in European troubles” was the cardinal principle of the Foreign Oilice. Regardless of possible action by England, France and Italy, Japan would stand aloof. —Reuter. DISCUSSION IN AUSTRALIA. VARYING VIEWS EXPRESSED. - MELBOURNE, Sept. 21. In the Senate Mr Gardiner complained that Mr Hughes had no right to pledge Australia to war off his own bat. He said there were grave reasons why Australia should uot go to war, and also why Australia should discourage the idea. He said she was at the beck and call of any British Prime Minister. Touching on the financial aspect, Mr Gardiner said that in the event ot war the income tax should take all over £SOO to pay for the war as it went along. . Messrs Drake and Brockman said that Mr Gardiner’s remarkable speech represented only a smalt section of the noisy and disloyal elements in New South Wales.. The interests, not only of the Empire, but the late of the white races was concerned in the Turkish trouble.—Press Association. ATROCITIES IN SMYRNA. OPINION OE AN AMERICAN. WHOLE WORLD SHOULD CONSIDER TURKS’ ACTIONS. LONDON, Sept. 20. Mr Morgenthau, formerly United States Ambassador to Turkey, in a statement, said he was in complete agreement with the British policy of keeping the Dardanelles free and maintaining the neutral zoue. He preferred not to offer any opinion respecting the Franco-British decision to allow the Turks to return to Constantinople or on Moslem problems confronting Britain, but said the question ol how far the Turks should be allowed complete control of Constantinople ought to be considered. The Christian races, he said, could no longer close their eyes to the Turkish deeds. After the absolutely overwhelming evidence of the Smyrna atrocities, not only the great Powers but the whole world should consider whether the Turks were fitted to rule anyone except themselves.—A. and N.Z. cable.