BRITAIN’S PLANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1922, Page 5

BRITAIN’S PLANS.

ARMY LEADERS CONFER. READY TO SEND UNITS. EMPIRE MAY ACT ALONE FREEDOM OF STRAITS. | By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Sept. 19, 9.40 p.m. London, Sept. 18. Lord Cavan (Chief of Staff), Sir Hugh Frenchard (Air Chief) and Lord Beatty attended to-day’s Cabinet. Ministers and experts discussed for two hours measures to keep the freedom of the Straits. It is understood all services are ready to send reinforcements from England immediately, if necessary. Details of the reinforcements were agreed upon. It is understood it is the attitude of Cabinet that the British Empire is prepared to see the Dardanelles crisis through bv itself if necessary. No official communications have been re ceived thus far from France or Italy, nor have South Africa or Canada replied to the British Note. Mr. Lloyd George has telegraphed the Prime Ministers of New Zealand and Australia that their prompt response regarding troops to assist in preserving the sanctity of Galliopli was received with enthusiasm. The Empire cannot consent to sacrifice the results of the Gallipoli struggle by its sons in Eastern theatres. It is now’ admitted the British Cabinet has received a communication from Paris, but the nature is not disclosed. Following on the Cabinet meeting it was announced that Lord Curzon is going to Paris to lay the British views before M. Poincare. This shows Cabinet’s belief that the situation cannot be met by an interchange of Notes. Cabinet still expects the Allies will act in concert regarding the defence of the Straits. The Daily Chronicle, summing up the opinion of Government supporters, says no one wants a new war, not even Kemal. The British position is simple, and is not affected by the defeat of the Greeks any more than it would have been if the Greeks had defeated Kemal, but the British Empire is deeply concerned with the freedom of the Straits connecting the Black SeA and the Mediterranean. and cannot accept Kemal’s guarantees. The Allies must control the Straits themselves. War will only come if we show ourselves weak and undecided. The Chronicle adds: “Thanks to the firm attitude of the British Government the danger of hostilities between the Allies and Turkey seems less acute. For this we owe something to the loyalty of the French Government, which agreed to stand by us in defending the freedom’ of the Straits.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AMERICA STANDS ASIDE. REFUSES TO BE INVOLVED. Received Sent. 9. 10.55 p.m. New York, Sept. 19. The New York Times’ Washington correspondent states the Government re-fuses to become involved in the political entanglements in the Near East, limiting itself strictly to the protection of American interests and alleviating the suffering of non-combatants wherever possible. It is pointed out that this attitude is known to the Allies, and the United States therefore does not expect to be urged to participate in the defence of the neutral zone against the Turks.— _Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.