THE HEAR EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 November 1922, Page 5

THE HEAR EAST.

PEACE CONFERENCE. TURKS ACCEPT VENUE. REPLY FROM ANGORA. By Telegraph.—Press Assn—Copyright. Received Oct. 1, 8.10 p.m. London, Oct. 31. The Daily Telegraph’s Constantinople correspondent states the Angora Government has accepted Lausanne as the venue of the Near East conference, with a request to the Allies to arrange direct telegraphic communication between Angora and Lueanne. It is announced that the dispatch of delegates is conditional on the exAision of the Constantinople Government, which did not participate at Mudania.

ATTITUDE OF UNITED STATES. OBSERVERS AT CONFERENCE. ■WATCHING CERTAIN INTERESTS. Received Nov. 1, 11.30 p.m. Washington, Oct. 31. The State Department has announced that a note has been transmitted to Britain, France and Italy replying to the Allied invitation to the United States to participate in the Near East conference, confirming the unofficial announcement.

The Note further declares that the conference will primarily deal with problems resulting from the war between the Allies and Turkey and Greece. The United States did not declare war on Turkey, and does not desire to participate in the final peace negotiations, or assume responsibility for the adjustments of the Near East problems. However. the United States does not regard its interests as entitled to less consideration than those of other Powers, or is disposed to relinquish her common rights or proper commercial opportunity. America is particularly interested in appropriate undertakings regarding freedom of opportunity without discrimination or special privileges for commercial enterprise: secondly, suitable provision for the protection of minorities; thirdly, assurances touching the freedom of the Dardanelles. In order to safeguard American interests and facilitate an exchange of views, the United States is prepared to send observers for the purpose of indicating to the conference the United States’ position in detail. It is not felt that the arrangements previously made concerning Turkish territory, which provide for the establishment of zones of special commercial and economic influence, such as the tripartite agreement of 1920, are consonant with the principle of equality of economic opportunity. It is assumed that the Allies will not make effective previous agreements of this nature. The United States does not seek for itself or its nationals special privileges, but desires to protect its rights and assure an open door in the Near East.

SENDING OBSERVERS. Paris, Oct. 31. The American Ambassador has handed over a Note to M. Poincare in which the United States Government declines to participate officially in the Near East Conference, but offers to send observers. The Note suggests the following ought to be considered: The protecting under proper guarantee of philanthropic educational and religious institutions; secondly, an appropriate undertaking regarding no discrimination in the freedom of commercial opportunity; thirdly, the protection of minorities; fourthly, assurances touching the freedom of the Straits; fifthly, a reasonable opportunity for archaeological research and study. ANGORA GOVERNMENT HEDGING. AMBASSADOR RESIGNS. Constantinople, Oct. 31. The Angora Government representative handed the Allied High Commissioners two Notes, the first accepting Lausanne as the venue for the Near East conference, subject to the provision of facilities for communication between Lausanne and Angora. The second Note protested against the invitation to attend the conference, which the Angora Government considers 1 a violation of the spirit of the Mudania Convention compelling Angora representatives to abstain from attending the conference. ANTI-KEMALISTS AND GREEKS. Athens, Oct. 31. Cherny Bey, formerly aide-de-camp to Abdul Hamid, has telegraphed to M. Venizelos stating that, despite the Mudania armistice, a million nntiKemalists in Asia Minor have been proscribed and intended to make common cause with the Greeks.