NEAR EAST POLICY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIII, Issue 9825, 19 March 1923, Page 5

NEAR EAST POLICY

TURKISH PEACE TERMS.

ANGORA’S COUNTER-PROPOSALS. (Per Press Association, Copyright.) LONDON, March 17.

The Allies appear to haye already agreed to reject two vital points in the Angora Government’s counter-peace proposals, ' namely, the severance of the financial and economic clauses from the rest of the treaty, and the limitation of judicial safeguards for foreigners ' resident in Turkey. The Turkish proposals include severe fiscal discrimination between Turks and non-Turks, a formidable list of prohibited imports, a prohibitive Customs tariff, and a list of professions barred to foreigners. The French Press issues a warning that the gulf between th# Allies and Turkey is wide, and will not be easily bridged. Long and delicate negotiations are still necessary.

(Received This Day, 10. 25' a.m.)

LONDON, March 18.

Besides involved and obscure financial and economical proposals, Angora’s counter-proposals include the maintenance of the conventions regarding the Straits and the Thracian frontier and suggest that the frontier between Turkey and Iraq be amicably settled between Turkey and Britain within a year of the agreement coming into operation. Failing an agreement it is suggested that the dispute be referred to the League of Nations. Angora also proposes that the FrancoTurkish agreement regarding Syria should remain in force. Ismet, in a covering letter, declares the concessions the Turks already have made, including the cession of the Gallipoli graveyards, are all that the National Assembly considers possible. He hopes that a conference will be arranged in a fortnight. Ismet declares that there is insufficient divergence to prevent the establishment of peaceful relations between Turkey and the Allies. ,

Allied experts will meet in London on Wednesday to discuss the Turkish terms.