THE ALLIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 February 1921, Page 5

THE ALLIES.

LONDON CONFERENCE. THE EASTERN PROBLEM. GREEKS TALKJJF WAR. By Telegraph.—- Ptms Assn.—Copyright. Received Feb. 25, 55 p.m. London, Feb. 24. The Supreme Council thia afternoon heard M. Calogeropouloa (Greek Premier) regarding ethnological statistics of Smyrna and Thrace. M. Calogeropoulos earnestly appealed to the Allies to finally settle the "Eastern probem on a basis of the Sevres Treaty. The council then decided to invite the Turkish delegations to attend separately to-morrow. It is understood each will be asked if it is prepared to accept the result of the Allies* investigations as regards Smyrna and Thrace, subject to acceptance of the remaining terms of the Treaty of Sevres. Following the official announcement that the Supreme Council will see the Turkish delegations to-morrow, the Central News interviewed ihe Greek delegates, who said M. Calogeropoulos Was utterly opposed to further investiSations regarding the populations of the iaputed territonties. They added: “It iookfi as if an unsunnountable barrier has been reached. Much as we detest *war it appears inevitable, for we shall «ot evacuate Smyrna.’* The proceedings at the conference tojiday have been very disappointing. The [Greeks are convinced that the Turkish Fclaims are beyond all reason. The •Greek statistics were accepted at the fean Remo conference, and no material {change could have taken place during she last eighteen months. M. Venizelos has gone to Paris, and •Fill r.jt return during the conference* t-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. TURKEY’S DEMANDS. Z FIXING THE FRONTIERS. London, Feb. 24. A communique states that Sami Bey read a statement in which the United •Turkish delegation demand the 1913 fron■tiers in Asia Minor. The southern frontier is to be fixed in agreement with the interested parties, so as to separate Turkey from the territories inhabited by a majority of Arabs. On the east the frontier is to be the line between Turkey and Persia before the war. The frontier between Turkey and Armenia is to be fixed by the latest treaty between the authorities at Angora and the Government of Erivan. The Greeks are to evacuate Smyrna, which will return to the full sovereignty of Turkey. The freedom of the Straits is to be granted under Turkish sovereignty, and the withdrawal of foreign troops from Constantinople and Turkish territory is to take place after ratification of the treaty. There is to be complete financial and economic independence and a mutual valuation of reparation damages.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. London, Feb. 24. After submitting the Turkish case to the Conference, Beki Sarri Bey declares there would be war so long as Smyrna remained in foreign hands. The Greek delegates refuted Bekir*s contentions. Sixty experts accompany Herr von Simons as a German delegation. They are houaed alongside the Turks.—Times. WHAT ITALY WANTS. A GREATER INDEMNITY. Rome, Feb. 23. The Foreign Affairs Committee has dispatched a Note to the London Conference demanding that Italy’s share of the indemnity be increased to 20 per cent., declaring that the taxation of German expert® would be detrimental to Italy and also demanding that Italy’s 'debts to the Allies should be chargeable £o her indemnity. WHAT THE PRESS THINKS. THE DEMANDS PREPOSTEROUS. STRONG REBUKE TO TURKEY. Received Feb. 25, 8.25 p.m. London, Feb. 25. While admitting the magnitude of Greece’s burdens under the Sevres Treaty, and doubting her capacity to deal with the Nationalist movement, the newspapers regard the Turkish demands As preposterous, if meant seriously. The Morning Post Says: “We respectful] point out to our Turkish friends that ’key did not win the war. Lord Allenby id not defeat the Turkish armies and their German mentors in order to talk of mutual reparation; nor after the blood and treasure expended in order to safeguard the Straits would British statesmen dare to place their guardianship again in uncertain hands.” The Daily Telegraph says: “Turkey, in the tone of a victorious belligerent, is reversing the Gladstonian policy by requesting Europeans to remove themselves out of Asia.” The newspapers doubt if France or Italy desire to restore Turkish rule in Christian countries —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.