BRITAIN AND TURKEY.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1921, Page 5

BRITAIN AND TURKEY.

THE ANGORA PACT. UNEASINESS IN FRANCE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Paris, Nov. 26. There is growing uneasiness over the Angora pact. While Ministerial newspapers continue to express annoyance at the British objections, the fear is expressed that a liaison with Angora may prove in the long run as damaging to France's interests in the Near East as to her relations with the Allies. M. Ribot, an ex-Premier, in the Senate Committee, severely criticised the manner in which the treaty was arrived at outside the usual diplomatic channels. The Foreign Affairs Committee decided to ask for the production of all papers on the subject. MISSIONARIES IN DANGER. London, Nov. 26. It is announced in London that in addition to the Armenians and other Christians there are a number of British missionaries in Cilicia who might be endangered by the French withdrawal under the FrancoKemalist agreement. The question of sending a British ship to remove them is under consideration. The Paris newspaper Figaro declares such action to be neither peaceful nor friendly. BRITAIN’S REPLY TO FRANCE. London, Nov. 27. The British reply to the French Angora Note has been dispatched. It is understood that France was asked to explain how her interpretation that the pact is a step to the realisation of peace in the Near East is arrived at. The British are convinced that the paet is an obstacle to this result, but they are anxious to be convinced that they are wrong. They suggest that the Kemalists should be openly disillusioned of the belief that the agreement in any way prejudices the Allies' settlement with Turkey, but France should consent to an immediate conference with Britain and Italy to formulate the Allied settlement with Turkey.