THE NEAR EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1922, Page 8

THE NEAR EAST.

VENUE GF CONFERENCE. RUSSIA THREATENS TROUBLE. By Telegraph’.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Paris', October 25. Though Turkey Julias not received Lausanne enthusiastically ae the venue for the Near East Conference it is expected she will accept, despite Kemal’s inability to attend a conference outside Turkey. The Turks generally believe that Kemal’s presence would .force the consideration of demands which otherwise would be evaded. The Bolshevik’s attitude ics causing anxiety to the Kemalists. The Soviet is insisting on stricter observance of Turkish undertakings. Russia is strongly concentrating troops on the Caucasian front. The latest information is that the Bolsheviks have occupied Kars and the occupation I of neighbouring centres is regarded as imminent.

ARRANGING THE CONFERENCE. Paris,- Oct. 26. According to the Petit Parisien. the Allies have agreed regarding the date of the Near East Conference and the town in which it shall be held. Lord Curzon proposed that the United States should be represented, not merely by an observer, but 'by a plenipotentiary. It is not anticipated that France will object.

Count SforZa again urged that Russia should be represented. It will probably be agreed that Russia shall sign the* peace treaty protocol concerning the Straits. A clause will be inserted expressly excluding recognition of the Soviet.