NEAR EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 August 1922, Page 5

NEAR EAST.

THREAT OF BREACH. GREECE STANDS FIRM. WILL GO TO TURKEY, By Telegraph.—-Press Assn.—Copyright, Received Aug. 5, 5.5 p.m. Athens, August 4. The Greek reply to the Powers says Greece had decided to occupy Constantinople to obtain the prompt conclusion of peace, and if the Powers hinder the exercise of Greece’s rights as belligerent they will only make the situation still more complicated. Finally, the reply draws attention to the danger of delay in regard to definite peace, as it might cause fresh calamities for Christians, perpetuating an intolerable state of things in the Near East. POSITION OF BRITAIN. RESPONSIBILITY IN TURKEY. PROTECTION OF CHRISTIANS. Received Aug. 5, 5.5 p.m. London, August 4. In the House of Commons, Mr. Lloyd George said it was our business to hold the balance just, and fair between the Greeks and the Turks. It was not a question of the Mussulman and the Christian, but a pure question of humanity. As our troops overthrew Turkey, the supreme responsibility for the peace of Turkey must be ours. At present we were defending the Turkish capital, otherwise without doubt the Greeks could occupy Constantinople in a few hours. He earnestly trusted that, whatever happened, we would see that the Christians in Asia Minor were adequately j protected against the horrible incidents j which were a disgrace to Turkey in the past.