THE HEAR EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 March 1922, Page 5

THE HEAR EAST.

ARMISTICE PROPOSALS. TURKEY'S REINSTATEMENT. ARMENIANS’ PROTECTION. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received March 27, 7.30 p.m. Paris, March 27. The Near East Conference has made an official statement that the armistice proposals are based on the desire, firstly to re-establish Turko-Greek peace, and not imposing any conditions sug-. gesting the defeat of either. Secondly, to re-establish the nation power of the Turks under conditions permitting the resumption of independence and the Nationalists’ retention of Constantinople. Thirdly, to ensure for Mussalmana the most equitable regime. Fourthly, to maintain the secular and religious authority of the Sultan. The conference on the other hanad to compensate the Greeks for their sacrifices on behalf of the Allied cause during the war time. If this operation is successfully carried out, Turkey’s sovereignty will be assured over Anatolia. Thus Constantinople and a large portion of Eastern 1 Thrace will remain under the Sultan’s complete sovereignty. The territory in •the neighborhood of the Straits will be demilitarised, whether remaining in the Turkish Empire or passing to Greek sovereignty. The protection of the Armenians will be entrusted to the League of Nations, and Turkey’s financial independence will be largely respected. Greece and Turkey will be invited to depute representatives to discuss the 'proposals within three weeks.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. POWERS IN AGREEMENT. NEW MAP OF TURKEY. London, March 27. The Paris correspondent of the Daily Chronicle states that the Near East conference has reached complete agreement regarding the Near East. It is assumed the Turks get neither Gallipoli nor Adrianople. The south side of the Straits is not placed under international control, as provided in the Treaty of Sevres, but given wholly to the Turks. The new Thrace frontier will be from the Sea of Marmora to the Black Sea.

The Morning Post’s correspondent states that the sudden decision of M. Sehanger to leave for England to interview Mr, Lloyd George has excited political circles, because, owing to leakages from the Ministers’ deliberations, it is believed the later sittings of the conference were not cordial. Paris, Marcli 26.

The Echo de Paris says that the French viewpoint has prevailed in the Near East Conference in respect to the revision of the financial clauses ol the .Sevres Treaty, and asserts that the former administration of the Ottoman debt was confirmed in its prerogatives.

Italy is to be given a chance to extend’ her material interests in the Near East, and it is likely Gallipoli will be left to the Greeks, while the Asiatic side of the Straits will be neutralised, but removed from the Straits Commission, whose authority is limited to the European side. Foreign Ministers are inclined to accept the British thesis in regard to the Thracian boundaries. Lord Curzon has accepted a slight withdrawal of the Rodosto-Midia line towards the west, but refused any further concession. Athens, March 26. The Cabinet agreed to the armistice proposals with certain reservations on the military clauses. Constantinople, March 26. Cabinet is discussing the armistice and will reply to the Allies to-morrow. Paris, March 26. The Echo de Paris says that Britain is advocating that Gallipoli, which is now a neutral zone, *be handed to the Greeks under the revised treaty with Turkey which the conference of Foreign Ministers is discussing. The Near East Conference, resenting the intimate accounts published in Paris newspapers, surpassing official communiques, took the unprecedented step of summoning a correspondent and questioning another privately regarding the sources from which they obtained information.