THE NEAR EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1922, Page 5

THE NEAR EAST.

BITTER MOOD OF TURKS. TREACHERY CHARGES. PROMISES BY FRANCE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.— Copyright. Received Nov. 29, 10.5 p.m. London, Nov. 28. Mr. Martin Donohoe, the Daily Chronicle’s correspondent, says the Franco-Brit-ish understanding is still proof against the combined Soviet and Kemalist assaults. Isniet Pasha is evincing an acrimonious mood and is reproaching the French for treachery in refusing to adhere to the unofficial record negotiated by M. Bouillon. According to the Kemalists, M. Bouillon promised that all their terms would be accepted, instead of which they obtained practically nothing. The Kemalists requested that M. Bouillon should be sent to Lausanne to assist them, but M. Barrere refused to entertain the demand. The Kemalists then commissioned Hamid Bey ito go to Paris to interview M. Poincare, who also refused to consider the proposal. The Kemalists now talk of publishing M. Bouillon’s written promise to support the Turkish claims. Meanwhile M. Bouillon is suffering from a severe cold, which is understood to be diplomatic rather than physical.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FLIGHT OF REFUGEES. A PITIFUI” PICTURE. London, November 2S. The Constantinople correspondent of 'the Daily Telegraph says that he apprehends terrible loss of life in the great trek from Anatolia towards the Rlaxfc Soa and, Mediterranean ports. Piteous messages foreshadowed, the effects, which will shock the world. It .qis understood that the Angora Government has ordered all Christians to leave within a month, and 1,500,000 are either preparing for departure or are on the road in long drawn out- columns. They are having an appalling time crossing the snow-covered country. Ten thousand Christians- and 2000 orphans have left Sivas, while

a wireless message from Samsun to the American naval authorities says: “Can you take 1000 mountain children? If not, it means their end.” The American destroyer at Trebizond wirelessed, “Cannot hold up evacuation of town much longer. We are overwhelmed with refugees from the interior. Unless additional transportation is immediately provided thousands will perish.” THE ISSUE TN SUSPENSE. ' ANGORA’S ANSWER AWAITED. Received Nov. 29, 9.40 p.m. Lausanne, Nov. 28. The issue of the conversations between Lord Curzon and Ismet Pasha depends on the arrival of a courier from Angora. Meanwhile the Turks insist on the surrender of Mosul and acknowledge that they have opened negotiations with America on one subject. THE STRAITS QUESTION. RUSSIANS TO RE HEARD. Received Nov. 29, 7.25 p.m. Lausanne, Nov. 28. Lord Curzon, M. Barrere and Signor Gonni considered the Russian demand to be present at all sittings of tne conference, and, it is understood, rejected it, but decided to bring the Straits question before the conference immediately to permit th? Russians to state their views. BRITISH NAVAL ADVISER. Received. Nov. 29, 7.50 p.m. London, Nov. 28. Admiral Keyes has gone to Lausanne as expert adviser on the naval clauses in the new treaty. CONFERENCE AT STANDSTILL. Lausanne, Nov. 28. The conference is making no proI gre&s. Lord Curzon declares that Britain agrees with Mr. Childs concerning the zones of influence. Turkey regards the Tripartite agreement of 1920 as nonexistent. Britain’s policy with reference to petrol in Mosul is that there shall be an open door regulated by contracts and adjudications. The Russians have sent a Note demanding admission to all debates on the basis of equality with other Powers. Ismet Pasha demands Turkey’s complete economic independence, and the division of the Ottoman debt pro rata among the ceded territories. TURKEY BLOCKING TRADE. Constantinople, 'Nov. 28. Replying to the Allied Commissioners regarding the restrictions placed on the commerce of foreigners in Smyrna and other liberated districts, the Angora Government says it does not recognise the capitulations. The treatment of foreigners must be governed by the laws of the National Assembly.