NEAR EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 December 1922, Page 5

NEAR EAST.

PROBLEM OF THE STRAITS.

THE VIEWS OF RUSSIA.

POWERS NOT TRUSTED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 4, 8.5 pmLausanne, Dec. 4. M. Tchitcherin (head of the Russian delegation), interviewed, elaborated Russia’s attitude regarding the Pardanelles. He declared the principle of the liberty of the Straits for warshjps signifies that the Power dominating the sea could concentrate forces in the Black Sea and create a naval base against the Soviet Republic and bordering States. He pointed out that the mere exclusion of warships would mean its execution would be left to an international body, the strongest number of which would impose their will on the others. Such solutions would transform the Black Sea into a lake dominated by the strongest naval Power. The peril of opening the Straits to the fleets of the big Powers was accentuated by the Allies’ menacing political and economic anti-Russian action in Persia, where the Powers were attempting to secure oil territories and create anti-Rus-sian bases.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

FIGHTING IN THRACE. GREEKS, TURKS AND BULGARS. • Sofia, Dec. 3. A Turco-Bulgar insurrectionary movement is reported in the regions of Cumuljina and Xanthy, West Thrace, nnd is claiming many victims. It is reported ths.t the Gre.eks lost three cannon and had 100 men killed and wounded. The Council of Ministers has' sent a Note to the Greek delegation at the Lausanne Conference, demanding the cessation of measurefl against Bulgars in West Thrace and the repatriation of Bulgarian refugees.

THE CAPITULATIONS QUESTION.

Lausanne, Dec. 3.

Representatives of Scandinavian countries have arrived to participate in the capitulations discussion. Ismet Pasha declared that the capitulations were impossible. Turkey demanded equality with other nations. Eventually three sub-commissions were appointed to deal with the subject.

RUSSO-TURKISH ALLIANCE. Paris, Dec. 3. Since M. Tchitcherin’s arrival he has been in close consultation with Ismet Pah&a, and it is expected he will become from to-morrow Angora’s mouthpiece. Some quarters- prophesy that the Russo-Turkish attitude will smash the conference; on the other hand it is believed Lord Curzon has a surprise packet in store for Russia.