ITALY STANDS OUT.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 September 1922, Page 5

ITALY STANDS OUT.

NO MILITARY ACTION. LOYAL TO ALLIES. SEMI-OFFICIAL NOTE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Sept. 18, 5.5 p.m. Rome, September 17. A semi-official Note says that Italy will not take part in any military operations in the Near East. The Note states Italy did everything possible to avoid these complications. Nevertheless, Italy remains loyal to the Allies.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received Sept. 18, 9.5 p.m. Rome, Sept. 17. The Press is openly sympathising with Turkey. The Tribune publishes an apparently official statement with reference to the British Note denying that the understanding among the Allies extends to participation in a collective military expedition. The Tribune says: “This cannot be. and is not the case. It would be absurd for Italian soldiers to be sacrificed for a policy which public opinion and the Government oppose, because it would extend the controversy and bring fresh bloodshed.” ENTENTE MUST ACT. SOLIDARITY TO AVERT VC AR. A TASK FOR DIPLOMATS. Received Sept. 18. 10.5 p.m. London, Sept. 18. The Times, in an editorial, says France and Britain must act together in a concerted policy; if they I’esitate they may find themselves ’ •’+<> a new war before many weeks. 1 >matic action mav and probably w : ll. suffice. if the Kemalists are convinced of the solidaritv of the English and French policy, and their determination to carry it out in all circumstances. “If this condition is fulfilled there wHI be little danger of armed opposition and no real danger of war.” adds the Times.

The Daily Mali opposes military action. stat'ng that the freedom of the Straits, which it affirms is the only paramount interest of the Allies, can be settled by negotfat’on. Commenting on the British standpoint, the Mail says: “Apparently Mr. Lloyd George has alreadv sent a fiery cross around the overseas Dominions. He has even tried to plav upon the emotions of the bv invoking the immortal name of Anzac.”—Times Service.

GRAVITY OF CRISIS. VIEWS OF LONDON PRESS. BRITAIN MAY BE ALONE. AMBITIONS OF THE TURK. Received Sept. 18, 9.5 p.m. London. Sept. 18. The papers express themselves variously on the British policy in the Near Eastern crisis. None fail to point out the gravest character of the situation, and all combine in paying a tribute to the spirit impelling New Zealand and Australia to respond to the invitation to send troops. The Daily Express says: “The Government of the greatest Empire in tne world does not seek the aid of the Dominions without an urgent cause, and the Dominion Governments do not undertake to dispatch troops to parade among the graves which consecrate Gallipoli without cause. We face grave issues The concern of the Empire, with its Moslem hegemony, with the gates of India, with the Suez Canal, is manifest. The concern of Europe, with insurgent nationalism on one hand and militarist Bolshevism on the other, is not less obvious.” The Daily Telegraph says: “It is obvious that while Angora claims tne right to shut the gates of the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus, it is impossible for a settlement to be made, or even for a conference to meet.” The Westminster Gazette says: “It is certain the Allies cannot regain control of the situation unless they are ready to fight if necessary, and unless they convince the Turk on that point.” The Daily Herald declares: “We were, through flighty Prime Minister, the , instigators the war made by the Greeks, n: 1 if the consequence is humiliation wc*niust bear it. Not a man, not a sh : p. ought to be the British determination. We have been led astray, but we cannot get right by fighting.” The Morning Post bitterly denounces . Mr. Lloyd George and his policy in a : leader, in which it says: “The gravity of the situation lies in the fact that Kemal may turn in directions where he will have to face not the Allies and : smaller countries, but Britain alone. He 1 may survey the whole Moslem world with the grim knowledge that he already has the prestige attaching to one who challenged the will of England and prevailed, and we might have had Turkey for a friend, yet before the late war we tossed her to the Germans and after the war to the Bolsheviks. Even now i we believe we could make friends with Turkey, but so long as Mr. Lloyd George is Prime Minister even our enemies m Ireland. Germany and Russia despise his friendship.” Received Sept. 18, 7.30 p.m. London, Sept. 17. The newspapers give prominence to New Zealand’s offer to assist in the defence of Gallipoli, also to Mr. Hughes’ | cable to Mr. Lloyd George. POSITION IN EGYPT. EXTREMIST ILLUSIONS. DOMINATION OF ISLAM. Received Sept. 18, 7.30 p.m. Cairo, Sept. 16. News of Kemal’s claims has heightened the excitement among the Egyptian Nationalists and extremists, who are convinced that Islam, as represented by the ' victorious Turks, has established its domination over the European Powers in the ! Near East. ! The Egyptian Government has requested ' the newspapers not to give prominence to > Turkish victories, or to indulge in overmuch introspection in editorial comments. Intelligent Egyptians fully realise that Turkey is quite incapable of actively helping Egyptian independence, but the majority of informed Moslems are anxious to . demonstrate their sympathy with Turkish i efforts to restore Moslem prestige.