The Daily News. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1922. PEACE PROPOSALS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1922. PEACE PROPOSALS.

During the last few days the situation in the Near East has practically been in a state of suspense, and though all sorts of rumors have been circulated, it seems as if the prospects of a peace conference being held were more favorable. The fact that Mr. Lloyd Gorge went into the country for the week-end indicated that no alarming change was in sight, though there is no telling what the accident of a moment may bring forth. It is now quite clear that neither France nor Italy will intervene in any action other than as parties to a peace conference. The British attitude is that the neutralisation of the Straits and the guarantee of free navigation for all countries in the League is absolutely imperative, all other matters lending themselves to negotiation, so that it. rests with Kemal and the Angora Government as to whether peace or war is to ensue. Obviously the period of “marking time” must have a limit, and equally obvious that the Kemalists have far more to lose than to gain by militancy. That is why Kemal should welcome the Note that has now been issued as the result of a conference of the Allies, requesting the Nationalist Assembly of Turkey to inform the Allies if it is ready to send representatives to a peace conference at Venice with full powers to negotiate a final peace with the other Powers invited thereto. It is particularly noteworthy that the Entente have made a straightout declaration that they view with favor the desire of Turkey to recover Thrace, as far as the river Maritza, and Adrianople, provided the Angora Government refrains from sending its army, during or before peace negotiations, into the proclaimed neutral zones, and on certain other terms to which Kemal should have no difficulty in assenting. The fact that the Allies are willing, before the conference, to procure the retirement of Greek forces, and as soon as the peace treaty operates, to withdraw troops from Constantinople, should turn the scale in favor of peace. The way has been paved for immediate pacific action by way of a meeting between Kemal and lAllied generals to fix lines of neutral zones and Greek outposts. Practically there is a clear road to peace on terms that should satisfy the Turks. It is to be hoped full advantage will be taken of the Allies’ generous proposals.