ANGER OF TURKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1922, Page 5

ANGER OF TURKS.

DELAY OF CONFERENCE. DANGEROUS TO PEACE. TENSION OF THE PEOPLE. ANXIOUS SITUATION. By Telegraph.—Press Asm.—Copyright. Received Nov. 14, 8.30 p.m. Paris, Nov. 13. Advices from Lausanne state that Ismet Pasha professed to be astounded when he learned of the postponement of the conference. He declared the Allies have assumed a serious responsibility. He added: “I will tell you frankly that this delay is dangerous. It is not easy to hold back a whole nation and a whole army in the uncertain state in which the armistice stands. The tension is intolerable for the whole nation, which asks only for peace on the word of France. “Because of my confidence in you, I have done a thing very few generals would be able to do. I stopped victorious and enthusiastic troops suddenly on lines arbitrarily drawn, and actually told them: ‘You must go no further; there is the sea, Scutari and Constantinople, and everything you dream of, but I order you to camp on this very spot. At the same time I promise you Turkey shall be re-born, independent and sovereign. You will find you have not fought in vain for so many long, weary months.’

“I am now asked to fulfil these promises. I left the armies behind me in order to make peace possible, and I am now told ‘Not yet; we have to arrange matters.’ Let me ask your generals what the effects cf this fresh delay will have on the Turkish people and on the sovereign assembly representing it.

■‘The situation is inextricably confused at Constantinople, and fighting may break out. Would it not be better, seeing that Constantinople has been promised us, to leave the sole responsibility for order in our hands? These delays are fatal. Let me say that we Turks are a free people, not a colony. We are equals, not vassals.” Ismet Pasha indignantly denied.that the Angora Assembly demanded the closure of French schools in Asia Minor. He stated: “On the contrary, we have made the French language compulsory.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received Nov. 14, 8.30 p.m. Constantinople, Nov. 13. The Allied High Commissioners have, telegraphed their Governments declaring that the attitude of the Angora Assembly indicates that the adjournment of the Lausanne conference gravely compromises the suspension of hostilities. They emphasise lhat a date should be fixed immediately and that it should not be changed.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. GRAVE POSSIBILITIES. NEED FOR ALLIED ACTION. THEIR POWER RESTRICTED. Received Nov. 14, 8.50 p.m. London, Nov. 13. The Constantinople correspondent of the Daily Telegraph states the necessity for the Allies arriving at a uniform decision becomes increasingly pressing. Although the Allied representatives apparently have been given the necessary powers to participate . in a proclamation of martial law, they are. ■ so hedged about with conditions that it is 1 practically inoperative, save in extreme circumstances, and the first fine flush of determination to maintain their rights has faded. The Italians advocate the advisability of solving the problem by Allied evacuation. The attitude of Paris also gives little prospect of French backing. In considering the desirability of replying to Rafet Pasha’s insolence by a show of strength, the British representatives are faced not only by a desire to maintain Allied unity, but the material factor of the forces at their disposal. Anxiety is felt lest the Kemalists should seize the postponement of the Lausanne ference as an excuse to make further difficulties. , Received Nov. 14, 8.50 p.m. Paris, Nov. 14. It is officially explained that the delay in the High Commissioners taking united action on the subject of martial law at Constantinople is entirely due to the French Government’s telegram, instructing their Commissioner to act with his colleagues in the matter, being delayed, three days in transmission. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ACTION BY FRANCE. PREMIER TO INTERVIEW TURKS. | ' . * Received Nov, 14, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Nov. 13. M. Poincaire has invited Ismet I’asha to interview bin; in Paris pending the opening of the Lausanne conference. The Echo National says the invitation is a mistake, which will result in setting Britain against France, as it may be said that M. Poincaire gave an interview to the Turks while hesitating to concede the same to Lord Curzon. The invitation may unfavorably impress the new British Ministers, who have proved so well disposed towards France. The Petit Parisien says France considers that there must not be any Allied engagement before the Lausanne meeting that would interfere with the complete liberty of each nation. Britain, on the other hand, demands a formal inter-Allied agreement, and has even made this a condition of participation at Lausanne. While a conference is possible, at the moment the two viewpoints are widely separated.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE EX-SULTAN’S STAFF. TERRORISED BY PERSECUTION. Received Nov. 14, 8.50 p.m. London, Nov. 13. The Constantinople correspondent of the Daily Express states 140 members of the ex-Sultan’s palace staff went in a body to the British Embassy, begging protection. They remained at general headquarters all night. Then one said: “I am not afraid,” and went out, and he was shot dead immediately. The rest became panic-stricken, and they are now staying at the Irish Guards’ barracks, awaiting a ship to take them to Malta.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CONFERENCE DELEGATES ASSEMBLING. Constantinople, Nov. 13. Several delegations left for Lausanne before the postponement of the conference was announced, including Serbians, Roumanians, and Kemalists. Ismet Pasha arrived at Lausanne and decided to proceed to Paris. Apparently [he will occupy the interim in conversing yfith French statesmen.