THE NEAR EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1922, Page 5

THE NEAR EAST.

THE STRAITS QUESTION. ALLIES’ PLAN ACCEPTED. TURKS’ MODERATE TONE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 21, 9.15 p.m. Lausanne, Dec. 20. Though the feeling outside the conference was pessimistic, that the Turks would not yield on the Straits question, Lord , Curzon, when he left the conference to-day, said it passed off all right. The Turks were very conciliatory; they did not say a word, and the conference continues. At the opening session Mr. Childs (the United States observer) read a long statement in the name of the United States Government, declaring that the United States takes the position that the full freedom of the Straits for all nations without discrimination would best be served on the treaty rights and agreement rather than by an international commission. It is believed Mr. Childs’ statement is responsible for the conciliatory attitude of the Turks.

Ismet Pasha agreed that a garrison of 5000 for Gallipoli was too much, so he offered to allow the Allies to fix the number. . , Turkey has now accepted the Allies scheme regarding’ the Straits, but has objected to stationary ships, also to the form of the capitulations, nor should an international commission control demilitarisation, which would be a calamity worse than death. Viscount Curzon said he was glad to hear the moderate tone of Ismet’s speech, and that he accepted all the Allied projects. Regarding the freedom of the Straits, he pointed out that the Turks were allowed to have a garrison in several towns in Thrace, also a force of gendarmerie. He hoped Ismet would consider the gendarmerie was sufficient. It was now necessary to find a method to make the demilitarisation effective. Directly the 'Straits deadlock was settled another was reached in capitulations, the Turks claiming that the Turkish judiciary system is quite above suspicion and gives ample guarantees for foreigners. The sub-committee, however, reported that no agreement can be reached, as the Allies claim that the capitulations must be replaced by some form of guarantee for foreigners in Turkey. —Aus.-N.iZ. Cable Association. THE STRAITS PROBDEM. Paris, Dec. 19. One of the Turkish delegation informed the representative of the Havas Agency at Lausanne that the Angora Government had instructed the delegation to break off negotiations if before four o’clock on Thursday afternoon satisfactory answers were not given on the chief proposals in regard to the Straits. e . He added the question of the Straits was one of two points on which the Turkish view must prevail. The other point was not mentioned. CHRISTIANS MAY LEAVE. London, Dec. 19. It is announced from Angora that the Government has rescinded the veto on the departure of Christians from Asia Minor. . „ _ . .. The Caliph’s allowance is fixed at tne equivalent of £30,000 annually.