The Daily News. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1922. AN IMPROVED SITUATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1922. AN IMPROVED SITUATION.

While a war-weary world seizes with eagerness any and every indication of the possibility of settling the Near East trouble by negotiation, instead of by military arbitrament, prudence demands that the gravity of the situation does not warrant undue optimism. The most that can be said as to the latest developments is that the situation is less acute, and that the prospects of averting war are more hopeful. The chief factor in the improvement is unquestionably the prompt and decisive policy adopted by the British Cabinet to meet the menace of hostilities by the Kemalists, and the straight-out proclamation that the British Empire “would not consent to sacrifice the results of the gallant struggle and decisive victories of its sons in the Eastern theatre.” That was practically Britain’s reply to the threats of the Turkish Nationalists. Apparently it has been convincing, up to a point. It is stated that Kemal has given an undertaking to respect the neutral zone, though no guarantees are in evidence as to his ability to carry out his promise. which does not coincide with his previous claim that Constantinople must revert to the 'Turks as their capital, free from foreign control. Having inflamed the Mohammedan population, Kemal may find the task of controlling these fanatics beyond his ability, besides which, the party he; leads are virtually pledged to drive the Allies out of Constantinople, while Soviet Russia has also to be reckoned with. There is some force in the claim 01. the Kemalisi.s that, having defeated the Greeks, they have the right io occupy any territories hithert > held by the Greeks and not by th? Allies. That is a matter properly coming within the province of a conference, it being evident there must be a rearrangement of the Sevres Treaty. The main features of any new agreement or treaty must necessarily be freedom of the Dardanelles under proper guarantees and control; international control of Gallipoli, and the safety and security of all non-Moslem peoples in the Near East, and perhaps the prevention of a Bolshevist advance to the coast. It may confidently be assumed that the presence of Allied warships and land forces in readiness to cope with a Kemalist advance on Constantinople had its full effect on Kemal, while the fact that the Dominions would be with Britain helped the situation to move towards a peaceful settlement. It is not surprising that the Germans should gloat ovey the trouble which Britain has been called upon to face, not only as regards the Turkish menace, but also as to her Allies. The British Premier’s policy was the only possible way of meeting the situation, and its vigorous promptness in arranging details to meet the emergency conld not fail to impress Kemal with the need for being discreet rather than valorous. Let us hope that the gleam of brightness that has now pierced the clouds which hung over the East will rapidly disperse the gloom and lead up to an amicable settlement of a by no means easy problem. Apparently the way is now open for a conference to arrange terms of settlement. That being so. no time should be lost in taking practical steps to convoke a meeting of all the parties interested. At the same time Britain can take no risk of Turkish duplicity, and must be prepared to cope with Kemalist machinations until the whole matter is settled. To be lulled into a false security might invite disaster, hence the need for close and constant vigil until the trouble is finally adjusted.