DESIRE FOR PEACE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 October 1922, Page 5

DESIRE FOR PEACE.

THE ATTITUDE OF TURKEY. REPLY TO ALLIED NOTE. A CONCILIATORY TONE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Oct. 6, 5.5 p.m. London, October 5. A summary of the Angora Government’s reply to the Allied invitation to a peace conference has been received by the Foreign Office. It states the Angora Government appreciates the desire for a just and durable peace. The Mudania meeting will deal with the Angora Government’s viewpoint regarding the present military situation, and its decisions will be completely executed. As regards a peace conference, Angora accepts the invitation as previously cabled, and thanks the Allies for recognising the Turkish rights in Thrace. It declares there is no disagreement in principle regarding the freedom of the Straits and to secure the safety of Constantinople and the Sea of Marmora, and to safeguard minorities within limits compatible either with the independence and sovereignity of Turkey or the exigencies of an effective settlement in the Near East. The reply points out that apart from the four great Powers and Greece, two other States have been invited, presumably because they are interested in certain questions to be settled; but the only important question of this kind is the control of the Straits. Therefore, Angora is surprised that Rusisa, the Ukraine and Georgia were not invited, since they are deeply interested. Their participation and help would make a settlement more lasting. Angora promises to communicate a reply later regarding membership of the League of Nations.

The Angora Government welcomes the renewed assurances regarding the evacuation of Constantinople by Allied troops, and is convinced the Allies appreciate the impatience with which Angora awaits the realisation of this. The reply states Angora is impressed by the appeal with which : the Allied Note concludes, and assures the Allies of Angora’s loyal and sincere assistance in re-establishing and maintaining peace.

Angora’s proposal that the peace conference should be held at Smyrna is not favored in authoritative circles in London, owing to its remoteness from the Allied capitals, and the probable lack of accommodation and facilities for communication. It is noteworthy that the latter disadvantage is being felt in connection with the Mudania conference.—Reuter Service.

NEWS NOT SO GOOD. CABINET MEETS AT MIDNIGHT. OTHER REPORTS GIVE PROGRESS. SOME OBJECTIONS IN THE WAY. London, October 5. Cabinet was hurriedly summoned at midnight on receipt of less satisfactory news from Mudania. A communique states the Turks are objecting to the clauses of the protocol. The. Allies are conciliatory and endeavoring to find a formula. A French communique dealing with the Mudania Conference says that Ismet Pasha raised fairly categorical objections to certain pointe. The Allied generals are examining these. There is a common wish to arrive at a settlement, keeping Turkish interests especially in view and endeavoring to reconcile them with the minimum indispensable guarantees. The Allied generals aiso conferred with the Greek delegates. It is hoped to reach a final settlement to-morrow. A British communique states that Allied delegates readily settled several objections raised by Ismet, but still a few pointe remain unsettled. A reply to the Angora Government regarding the Peace Conference has been received. It suggests that the conference be held at Smyrna on October 20, and requests the inclusion of Russia, the Ukraine and Georgia. Official circles have not received any news of the terms agreed upon at Mudania, and scout as most improbable and sensational the Paris report that the Allies threatened to blockade Greece unless the Greeks withdrew from Thrace within ten days, and that Britain has undertaken to withdraw from Chanak and cross to Gallipoli. They point out that the military conference at Mudania is not empowered to take such political action. DISPOSAL OF THRACE. BITTER FEELING IN GREECE. Athens, Oct. 5. The decisions of the Mudania Conference were taken in hot haste after the arrival of the Greek delegates, and have caused a keen and painful impression. Newspapers declare the question of Thrace proves the bankruptcy of European Christianity. The Hestia says the return of the Turks to Europe constitutes treason and betrayal. The handing over of Thrace means not sovereignty but massacre and extermination. The newspaper appeals to the Christians of America. Men of all classes and ages are crowding the recruiting offices and volunteering to fight in Thrace. It is understood that, while the Government will not consent to evacuate Thrace, it would accept a temporary administration by an Allied Commission. HELP FROM AMERICA SOUGHT. London, Oct. 5. M. Vepizelos called on Mr. Harvey, the American Ambassador, requesting America to intervene in the Near East in support of the Greek claim and the Allied occupation of Thrace until the Christians were evacuated. A semi-official message from Athens, which so far has not been confirmed, states that the Turks bombarded an American destroyer which was shipping refugees at Aivali.