OFFER TO TURKS

Taranaki Daily News, 9 October 1922, Page 5

OFFER TO TURKS

K£W BASIS OF PEACE. CONFERENCE RESUMES. DISPOSAL OF THRACE. GREEKS TO LEAVE. 4*y Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Oct. 8, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Oct. 7. The Premier (M. Poincare) and Lord Curzon (British Foreign Secretary) have reached an agreement, subject to confirmation by the respective Cqbinets, which will enable the resumption of the Mudania conference. The French Cabinet has already approved of the agreement, the main outlines of which were communicated to pressmen by M. Poincare, who said he jould announce, with Lord Curzon’s authority. even before receiving the British Cabinet’s reply, that an agreement had been reached, as there was every , reason to think the British reply would ' be favorable. Instructions had been sent to the Allied generals at Mudania authorising them to negotiate on the following basis:— The immediate evacuation of Eastern Thrace to the Maritza frontier by Greek troops, under the control of Allied contingents, which during the next month would supervise the evacuation and re-establishment. The Allied contingents would have the duty of preventing disorders and protecting the lives and property of both Greeks and Mussulmans, and would in turn evacuate Thrace, which would not, however, be definitely restored to the Turks until, after the signing of the Peace Treaty. By these means it was certain the Turks would receive satisfaction. In order to prevent new inadmissible Turkish demands, about eight French battalions would remain during the peace conference, half at Chataldja and half on the western bank of the Maritza. The Greeks have signified their adherence to the formula drawn up, and an early agreement at Mudania might be expected. The neutral zones would be slightly modified. The British would remain at Chanak, the Turks withdrawing to a convenient distance. After communicating the formula to London. Lord Curzon and M. Poincare discussed a reply to the Angora Note on the peace conference. It is understood there will probably be two conferences, the first at Scutari or at Princes Island, in the Sea of Marmora, between November 1 and November 10, to settle the peace terms and proclaim the principle of the freedom of the Straits. The second is to be held under the auspices of the League of Nations, and it will settle the regime governing the freedom of the Straits. To this Russia will probably be invited on a similar footing to other interested nations. It is semi-officially stated in London that the basis of the Paris discussion was a moderate and statesmanslike proposal by M. Venizelos for the Greek evacuation of Thrace, subject to the Allies guaranteeing the protection of the population. —Aus.-N-Z. Cable Assn. BRITAIN ENDORSES OFFER. ONE CONDITION MADE. Received October 9, 1.5 a.m. London, Oct. 8. It is officially stated that the British Cabinet endorses the Poincare-Curzon agreement, which will be given effect to only if the Turkish representatives accept the remaining conditions of the * Allied Note of September 23, especially regarding the neutral zones on both sides of the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. POLICY OF THE TURKS. A SPEECH BY KEMAL. Received Oct. 8, 5.5 p.m. Constantinople, Oct. 7. Kemal, in a speech in the Assembly, prior to the Mudania conference, said that although it was necessary to clear the country of enemies to the national frontiers, it was not the Government’s wish to use force. The Greek evacuation of Thrace must be effected quickly, however, in order to avoid danger to the Turkish population. Kemal repeated his desire for the freedom of the Straits. THE HALT AT MUDANIA. 3RITISH ACTING CAUTIOUSLY. . Received Oct. 8, 5.5 pun. Rome, Oct. 7. The Angora Legation has been informed that while the French delegates at the Mudania conference moved to accept all Kemal’s demands, the British opposed acceptance, and the conference was suspended while particulars of the situation were cabled to London. THE BRITISH POLICY. CRITICISM BY LIBERAL LEADER. Received Oct. 8, 5.5 pun. London, Oct. 6. Mr. H. H. Asquith, addressing Scottish Liberals, said he had supposed British diplomacy had reached the climax of clumsi ness and ineptitude in the publication of the Balfour Note, but that had been easily surpassed in all the qualities which such a document ought not to possess by the communication from Downing Street appealing to the Dominions, which sounded like notes provocative of panic. It was issued without intimation to the other Powers. All this strident rhetoric, bugle-blowing, and flag-waving was wholly inexplicable unless a prospect of war was well in sight. Had we been fighting Turkey to-day we would have been single-handed, for neither France nor Italy would have sacrificed a man or fired a gun. The freedom of the Straits was a matter of international importance, in no sense exclusively or mainly British.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. M. BOUILLON’S RECALL. REPORTED IN PARIS. Received Oct. 7, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 6. It is reported in official circles that M. Bouillon’s recall is likely. Lord Curzon’s journey to Paris is interpreted as an indication that the French representatives at Mudania. arc not H complete accord with the Britiih.