BRITAIN S VIEW.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1922, Page 5

BRITAIN S VIEW.

REASONS FOR ACTION, FREEDOM OF THF. STRAITS. IMPERATIVE TO PEACEOTHER POWERS AGREE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Sept. 17, 11.5 p.m. London, Sept. Itf. The British Government’s statement regarding the Near East says the Kemalist demands involve the entire loss of the results of the victory over Turkey in the late war. Britain is prepared to use great exertions to defend the freedom of the Straits, and she is gratified her views are shared by France and Italy, the two other great Powers who are principally concerned. The question of Constantinople is somewhat different. The Allies, at the London Conference in January, 1921, announced their intention of restoring Constantinople to the Turks, subject to a satisfactory adjustment of other matters. Britain desires that a conference jhould be held as speedily as possible in order to secure a stable peace with Turkey, but a conference is impossible while there is the question of the Kemalists attacking the neutral zones. The High Commiss : oners at Constantinople have been instructed to notify Kemal Pasha that the neutral zones must be respected, but it would be futile and dangerous to trust diplomatic action alone, in view of the excited mood and extravagant claims of the Kemalists The statement adds that an adequate force is necessary to guard the Straits.

It would be most disastrous if the Allies were driven out of Constantinople by the Kemalists. It would doubtless produce far-reaching reactions, not merely in Moslem countries, but in all States defeated in the late war, who would be profoundly encouraged by the spectacle of the undreamt of successes of the comparatively weak Turkish forces. Moreover, the re appearance of the victorious Turk on the European shore of the Straits would provoke the gravest situation in the Balkans, which would be likely to lead to extensive bloodshed in regions already cruelly devastated.

It is the duty of the Allies in the late war to prevent this areat danger and secure orderly and peaceful conditions in the Straits thus permitting a conference, to conduct deliberations with dignity and efficiency and to reach a permanent settlement. Britain has addressed herself in tins sense to the other great Power® associated in the defence of Constantinople, but the other Allied Powers’of the Balkans are vital] affected. Roumania was ruined in th war by the strangulation of the Strait? A Turco-Bulgarian union would have deadly consequence® to Jugo-slavia. The whole Danube trade would be subject to strangulation if the Straits were closed The effects on Greek interests are also self-evident. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PROTEST AT MASSACRES. GREEKS AND ARMENIANS DIE. Received Sept. 17. 5.5 p.m. Athens, Sept. 16. Greece has protested to the League cf ! Nations, the Allies and the United States against the Kemalist massacres. Refugees state that many Greeks and Armenians have been summariliy shot on a charge that they helped the Greek army or committed imaginary crimes. An American states he saw headless bodies of Greek soldiers tied together.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ATTITUDE OF RUSSIA. SYMPATHY WITH TURKEY. London, Sept. 14. The Soviet Commissary for Foreign Affairs has circulated a Note to the Powers orotestine against the Allies’ claim to settle the problem of the Dardanelles, and contending that it is the business of the Black Sea Powers, and not of outsiders, to deal with the matter. The Note sneenngly adds that the Allies are too exhausted to deal with Turkey except on a pacific basis.