BEHIND THE SCENES.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1922, Page 5

BEHIND THE SCENES.

POLICY OF THE TURKS', EVENTS BEFORE CRISIS. LINK WITH RUSSIA. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Oct. 4, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 3. The Morning Post’s special correspondent, telegraphing from Sofia, says he has been in close touch with the Angora situation for three weeks, and is able to supply the following details of the inner political workings before the military operations were undertaken. A powerful moderate party was formed favoring an understanding with Britain and opposing the military group. This party consisted chiefly" of Circassian noblemen, the leaders including Bekir Sami Bey. After Kemal’s victory the moderates were obliged to support the military in order to maintain themselves, but now thev are e.vercising a moderate influence on Kemal’s counsels. With the Communists they have been most active, and an increasing number of delegates of oie National Assembly joined the Communist party through the activities of Araloff, the Soviet ambassador. The Turkish Communists have no Turkish policy, but stand for complete union with Russia in foreign policy, especially in war against Britain. They are straining every nerve to Bring about a rupture with Britain and a consequent Turkish Bolshevik attack on the Balkans,

The question is whether the obvtous interest of Turkey in securing British friendship prevails over the distrust of I the British policy and Bolshevik proipaganda and subsidies, which have been pouring into the country for a year. The Communists are also gaining ground in Bulgaria. * Macedonia and Thrace. Bulgarian friendship for Turkey is even stronger than during the war.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. VOICE OF THE LEAGUE. REASONS AGAINST IT ACTING. SIR ‘JAMES ALLEN’S VIEWS. Received Oct. 4. 7.45 p.m. London, Oct. 3. Reviewing his attitude at the Geneva conference of the League of Nations, Sir James Allen said it would have been a mistake to have submitted the Near East trouble to the League of Nations while other parties were already negotiating. Otherwise it would have enabled the Turks to play off one against another. When asked why he signed the telegram to Mr. Lloyd George on September 20 asking for the submission of the question to the League. Sir James Allen replied: “I know of no such telegram signed by the Dominions’ representatives. I certainly did not sign it. It was obviously a duty which a sovereign Power, or several sovereign Powers combined. ought to undertake. If the League undertook it it would be with the knowledge that it had no physical force behind it.” —United Service. TURKS IN THRACE. COMPLAINT OF BAD TREATMENT. Received Oct. 4. 5.5 p.m. London. Oct. 3. The Angora Government has sent the Allied commissioners a protest against bad treatment of Turks in Thrace by Greeks.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RELIEF OF DISTRESS. Received Oct. 4. 7.15 p.m. Washington. Oct. 3. President Harding has appointed Mr. Will Haves head of a committee to cooperate with the Near East relief in aid of those distressed in Asia Minor.