THE NEAR EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1922, Page 5

THE NEAR EAST.

SMOOTH PROGRESS MADE. TURKS IN BETTER MOOD. AGREEMENTS REACHED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 17, 5.5 p.m. Lausanne, Dec. 15. The conference is proceeding smoothly. The Turks have accepted the principle of a general amnesty for political and military offences from 1914, and have agreed to recognise minority clauses in European treaties, subject to the non-recognition of the Kurds as a minority. The Kurds voluntarily associate themselves with the Turks. The Turks unreservedly accept freedom of movement for minorities and recognise the right to return the wells and leave the country. They also concede the principle of political, civil and religious liberty. Regarding the exemption of minorities from military service, the Turks explained that they contemplated exempting Moslems or Christians on payment of a fixed tax. They agreed to guarantee the execution of the dispositions taken for the protection of minorities, and to co-operate with the League of Nations to that end.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AMERICAN LOAN OFFERED. New York, December 15. The Washington correspondent of the New York Herald states that United States bankers are considering the flotation of a loan of 100 million dollars with the aid of an international financier from Germany, being the only visible way of saving Germany from an economic collapse. The correspondent adds that the Government favours such a. loan, but only on condition that reparations are limited. The "Washington correspondent of the New York Tribune states that a conference called by the United States of European Powers, possibly including Japan, to consider the reparations question and the European situation generally is imminent. GERMANS THINKING HARD. Berlin, December 15. Captains of industry are co-operating with the Government in formulating a fresh reparations proposal.