THE DRAFT TREATY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIII, Issue 9787, 1 February 1923, Page 5

THE DRAFT TREATY

PEACE IN NEAR EAST.

ATTITUDE OF THE FRENCH.

READY FOR MORE CONCESSIONS.

(Per Press Association, Copyright.) LONDON, January 31.

The ''Morning Post's" Paris correspondent says the French Note declares that the draft treaty does not constitute a final project whose terms 1 cannot be further discussed, but is merely a document setting out the present stage reached by the negotia- ! tion. France has already made more concessions than are consistent with French interests, but she will not refuse other reasonable concessions if sufficiently supported and is prepared to continue negotiations when and where may be deemed suitable. The French view is that, apart from the Ruhr, Europe is again a powder magazine which a spark may touch unless the elements on the surface at Lausanne are delicately handled. It is stated by another correspondent that the Italian delegation at Lausanne agrees with the French Note. THE TREATY TERMS. LAUSANNE, January 30. Two oonventions ; the first proyiding for an .exchange of populations and the second for an exchange of prisoners of war and civil hostages were signed today. The former becomes part of the peace treaty,'operating after the signing thereof. The latter is outside the scope of'the treaty andr< 'will operate immediately. At the plenary session of the conference to-morrow, the Allies will present their peace terms and the Turks will present their counter-proposals. The Straits Commission will meet on Thursday. It is generally expected that the Russians will neither attend the meeting nor sign the Straits settlement convention.

It is understood the treaty closely follows the conference decisions. Turkey recognises Britain's annexation of Cyprus and Egypt's status ajs an independent kingdom and also French interests in Morocco and Tunis. A buffer State will be created between the Turks and the Greeks in the Maritza region. Autonomy is conferred on the island of Imbros and Tenedos under Turkish sovereignty. ' AID FOR ARMENIANS. WASHINGTON, January 30. In the House of Representatives Mr Husted introduced a resolution asking for a vote of 25,000,000 dollarn for transport and quarters for the Armenians who are fleeing to a new home in south-west Russia, which Soviet Russia has offered them.

ANTI-BRITISH VIEWS.

TURKISH PRESS -COMMENT

("Times.") (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 30. Constantinople messages report that political, circles in Angora loudly proclaim the belief that if the British do not modify their attitude Turkey will not shrink from war. The majority of the newspapers echo the sentiment, with the notable exception of "Vakhit," which usually reflects the opinion of the Angora Government. "Vakhit" says as the conference has failed the time has come to open separate negotiations between Turkey and England

(Reuter.) .(Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) CONSTANTINOPLE, Jan. 31. The Turkish Press violently attacks Britain, and attributes the British attitude at Lausanne to petroleum interests at Baghdad. Troops from Bastra and Baghdad are continuing to reinforce Mosul, with a view to eliminating the possibility of Turkish attack. A Turkish concentration is now going on on the frontier, 100 miles northwest of Mosul. THE GALLIPOLi CRAVES. THOUSANDS OF~~TURKISH DEAD. ! (Reuter). (Received This Day 1015 a.m.) CONSTANTINOPLE/ Jan. 30. In reference to the British claims in regard to the cemeteries at the Dardanelles, Turkish newspapers publish gruesome'photographs of a pyramid of human bones, which they state represent 66,000 Turkish soldiers who sacrificed their lives on Gallipoli.

REREHENSIBLE ACTION.

FRENCH NOTE TO ANGORA.

STRONG FEELING IN BRITAIN.

(Received This Day, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, January 31. Serious consequences are anticipated from the French Note to Angora. The French Government communicated with Britain explaining France's intentions and declaring that every effort would be made to avoid a rupture which would be prejudicial to French interests, but the French Note to Angora was published before Lord Curzon received the French despatch. The French action has occasioned great agitation among the British delegation, which has issued a statement discrediting the reported issue of the French Note to Angora, remarking that it would be flagrant violation of the mutual undertaking given by the Allied plenipotentiaries only a few days ago if such a Note were to be issued without reference to the British delegation.

THE FRENCH NOTE.

NOT RECEIVED IN LONDON

THE BRITISH POLICY.

WILL NOT SHILLY-SHALLY

(Received This Day, 12.19 p.m.) LONDON, January 31. Official circles" are not aware of the reported French Note regarding the

Treaty. The Note has not been received in London.

It is officially stated that the despatches to-day did not indicate that drastic action was contemplated. by any of the Allies. Even if the Turks refused to accept the Treaty, there was every indication that the French would do nothing to jeopardise An-glo-French relations. There is no question of France desiring to enter into a separate agreement. Britain is not prepared to remain at Lausanne and continue the discussion, since this would duly play into the Turks' hands and encourage them to shillyshally. The*. British were prepared; to leave an official at Lausanne .to explain points in the Treaty.

FRENCH COMMENT,.

ON THE BRITISH AGITATION

(Received This Day, 12.20 p.m.) PARIS, January 31.

The Government cannot understand the British delegation's surprise regarding the French attitude. France had steadfastly taken the viewpoint during the conversations that the peace proposals should not be considered an ultimatum.

REPLY TO THE ALLIES.

ISMET'S HOPES FOR PEACE

(Received This Day, 1.10 p.m.) LAUSANNE, January 31. Ismet, replying to the Allies, asked for a fortnight to consider the Treaty and also that the commissions might | reassemble in a week. "He hoped in | the meantime that all efforts would be made to secure peace. TURKS COUNTERPROPOSALS. CRITICISM OF ALLIED TERMS. (Receievd This Day, 1.10 p.m.) PARIS, January 31. The "Petit ParisienV Lausanne correspondent says the Turkish coun-ter-proposals are apparently a criticism' of the Allied terms of peace rather than a series of definite proposals.

Two churches, one in Edinburgh and the other in Southport, are now fitted with'a special appliance which enables deaf worshippers' to listen to the service.' ■ '"■