THE NEAR EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1922, Page 5

THE NEAR EAST.

THE CONFERENCE OPENS. DOINGS KEPT SECRET. BAN ON ALLIED PRESSMEN. TORE CAVALRY WITHDRAW. Telegraph.^-Press Ann.—Copyrlghs. Received Oet. 4, 5.5 p.m. Constantinople, Oet. 3. The conference has opened at Mudania. Absolute secrecy is being maintained regarding the doings of the conference. No Allied newspaper men will be allowed to attend the conference. M. Bouillon promised to attempt to secure the revocation of the order barring journalists attending, saying he realised the ban on English and American news--1 papers, while .Turkish, Greek, Armenian and Balkan reporters were allowed to go, was a discrimination which would arouse deep resentment. Th© Morning Post’s correspondent at 4 Constantinople state® the majority of the Turkish cavalry at Chanak have withdrawn some distance from the British entrenched lines, presumably under Kemal’s order suspending military move-ments.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. London, Oct. 3. Official quarters expect the Mudania Conference to be confined to preliminary details, after which General Harington and Ismet will confer alone regarding the Turkish invasion of Chanak, as a preliminary to the evacuation of Thrace by the Greeks. The Foreign Office has received a Note 'from the Moscow agent of the trans-Caucasian States demanding their representation at the Near East Conference. declaring they would not acknowledge any decision without their collaboration. SYMPATHY FOR TURKEY. ATTITUDE OF INDIA. London, Oct. 3. After a lengthy interview with Lord Cureon, M. Venizelos has postponed his departure for Paris. He refuses to disclose whether the attitude of the Foreign Office towards him is favorable or otherwise. Lord Reading, reporting to Lord Peel, Secretary of State for India, states that the Turkish victories in Asia Minor and the British attitude have caused excitement among Mohammedans. In all the provinces of India, and even Burma, prayers are being offered for the success of the Turkish arms. Some hopes are entertained of raising an Angora Legion to assist the Turks. Lord Reading concludes: “If negotiations break down and the British and Turkish forces come into conflict, the effects on Moslem feeling cannot fail to be very serious.” A Constantinople message. says that M. Bouillon does not consider the text of the. Angora Government’s reply to the Allied Note can be dispatched for five or six days, as Kemal only arrived at Angora yesterday. M. Bouillon is of opinion that the Allied proposals can serve as a basis foi negotiations, as the differences between the Allied and Turkish viewpoints are formal, rather than fundamental.

WHAT TURKEY WANTS. London, oct. 3. While it is doubtful whether M. Veniselos has definitely accepted the new Government’s offer to become Ambassador. it is a fact that he has taken charge of the Greek Legation in London. Rechid Bey, an Angora diplomatist, haa arrived in London. He states that the Kemalists will ask for the immediate withdrawal of the Greeks irom Thrace up to the Maritza. including Adrianople and the restoration of the Turkish administration in that province. With reference to the withdrawal of the Turks from the neutral zone. Rechid thought the Angora Government would manifest goodwill tn secure an understanding and peaceful settlement between Britain and Turkey. The Turks were not fighting for the sake of war but, having made so many sacrifices, they should secure their unquestioned national rights. UNIFIED ACTION URGED. Paris, Oct. 3. The Petit Parisien comments 'hat General Harington must not only cooperate with France and Italy regarding Thrace, but also with reference to the occupation of the Asiatic zone. The latter are entrusted to Britain by inter-Allied mandate. If France and Italy are of opinion the occupation should cease it would not be wise for Britain to maintain troops there. GREEK CONFERENCE DELEGATES. Athens, Oct. 3. M. Zaimis has now definitely refused to undertake the Premiership on the grounds of ill-health. General Magarakis and Colonel Sareyannis will represent Greece at the Mudania Conference.