FRANCES PART.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1922, Page 5

FRANCES PART.

STRIVING FOR PEACE. INFLUENCE ON TURKS. SUGGESTED NOTES. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.-—Copyright. Received Sept. 24, 5.5 p.m. Paris, September 23. France is bringing pressure to bear on Kemal not to attempt to open hostilities against France’s ally. Kemal has been informed that the withdrawal of the French contingent from Chanak must not be interpreted as a pretext for forcing the pace. France urges Kemal to exercise patience. Whether the Turks violate the neutral zone depends on a Ministerial Council now proceeding at Smyrna, under Kemal’s presidency. Turkish officers communicated with the British' at Chanak, asking for information concerning the precise line of the zone, and gave assurances that there was no intention to violate it yet so far as their troops were concerned. M. Poincare informed a newspaper man that though accord has not yet been reached in the conversations, he hoped tn be able to announce to-morrow that a formula had been found acceptable to all. If the Allies did not agree on a common policy, each would address separate Notes to the Turks. He could give an assurance that such Notes would not be of a threatening character, but would be couched in the friendliest terms. France would accompany her Note with a most pacific assurance regarding the future. A collective Note, if agreed upon, would suggest to the belligerents an immediate conference to bring about peace. The i Turks were being invited to a preliminary conference with a view to effecting an armistice.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE CHIEF DIFFICULTY. DIPLOMATS’ EFFORTS TO SUCCEED. NEW TASK FOR LEAGUE. NO DESERTION BY FRANCE. Received Sept. 24, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 22. The Times’ Paris correspondent says Lord Curzon confessed the chief difficulty concerned Eastern Thrace and Adrianople, but his intimation that it is the intention of the British Government to solicit the aid of the League of Nations, if a deadlock is otherwise reached, is regarded as exceedingly important. There is approval of this proposal in French circles. It would seem the League is destined to play a more active part in European diplomacy. It is even suggested that Thrace will be autonomous and under the control of the League, if no untoward incidents should take the whole matter from the hands of the diplomatists, provoking an armed conflict, the consequences of which cannot be foreseen. France would be placed in a most embarrassing position, since she has resolved not to join in any action against the Turks, but she is naturally concerned with the possibility of her British ally being involved in a dangerous struggle.—Times Service. BUYING WAR MATERIAL. ACTIVITIES OF BOLSHEVISTS. Received Sept. 23, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 22. It is understood Bolshevist agents are active on the Continent buying war material, especially in Italy, where it is reported a large order for armored cars, lorries and machine-guns has been placed. The material is probably intended for Bolshevist co-operation with the Kemalists. United Service. STRAITS NEUTRALISATION BRITAIN'S CARDINAL PRINCIPLE SITUATION IN 'KEMAL’S HANDS. London, Sept 22. It is authoritatively stated that the British attitude in the Near East is that Britain is seeking nothing for herself and is pursuing no short-sighted policy based on amour propre. The supreme interest, no modification of which can be entertained, is neutralisation of the Straits, with full guarantee of free navigation for all countries under the League or other effective international organisation. All other matters are secondary and subject to peaceful accommodation between Turkey and the States more directly concerned. While the Government is com- , pleting naval, military and air measures to safeguard the neutrality of the Straits and covering positions, it in no way desires to precipitate hostilities. War will never come from the British side, but is only possible if the Kemal - ist forces attack positions occupied by the Allies at the Armistice and held consistently as neutral territory throughout the Graeco Turkish hostilities. The situation, therefore is in Kemal’s hands, but there is at present no reason for supposing that Kemal will choose to apply force of arms to questions which are adjustable by conference. There is no secret about the strength of the Turkish forces, and no weight is attached to exaggerated alarmist estimates of what she can put into the field.-r-Reuter Service. The Australian Press Association’s Geneva correspondent states that the opinion there is that League intervention is improbable. A direct conference between the Allies and the Kemalists is increasingly favored by the French and Italian delegations. They oppose intervention. The British Empire delegation is believed to be awaiting a lead from the English members, who in turn are awaiting information from Mr. Lloyd George. The political committee, to which the Assembly remitted the Norwegian and Persian appeals for intervention, under article 11 of the covenant, will meet tonight, when it is anticipated the British attitude will be disclosed. The position in the Near East is unchanged. Mr. Lloyd George has gone into the country, and will not return before Monday unless new developments arise. Probably no Cabinet meeting will take nlace until Lord Curzon returns from Paris. It is understood that Lord Beatty reports his Paris interviews were quite' auttefastorv.