NEAR EAST CONGRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 308, 29 December 1922, Page 5

NEAR EAST CONGRESS.

MAY PROVE ABORTIVE.

WARSHIPS FOR BOSPHORTJS

A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE.

(By Cable. --Press Association.—Copyright.! {Received 11.80 a.in.l LONDON, December 2S. In circles not commonly pessimistic, it is believed that the Lausanne Conference is likely to prove abortive. The British Fleet, which arrived at Malta recently on lengthy Christinas leave from Constantinople, has been ordered to return forthwith, while the number of other vessels in .Malta are preparing to proceed there within tile next few days. Naval circles do not regard the movement as alarmist, but as •.•. precautionary step. —(A. and N.Z.)

NO FURTHER BARGAINS. POSITION OF THE ALLIES. PREPARING THE LAST WORD. LONDON', December 28. It is generally realised that Lord Curzon's reply to the Turks refusing to reopen the <)iie«tion of the future of Mosul has produced the %>ost serious crisis that the conference has yet experienced. It proves that the Allies no longer are going to stand Turkey's dilatory practices, and will stop further bargaining with the Turks. Next week the Allies propose to draft a treaty embodying the Allied offers and submit it to the Turks for ratification or rejection.

The 'now Turks" are but old Turks' writ largo," says the "Times" correspondent at Lausanne, in a warning to the world that it better accustom itself to the idea that the conference will possibly fail. "Despite the acceptance of certain principles, which amount to concessions from the Allies."' says the correspondent, "'very small progress has been made toward peace. I'nlcss something tangible emerges from the mass of deadlocks in the sub-commissions within a fortnight it must lie recognised that the Turks are impossible as allies. This deplorable result can be avoided if the Turks are capable of learning wisdom. At present their arguments merely prove" that they under rate the mentality of the Allies. The Turks are now displaying a mulish stubbornness, which augurs ill for reasonable discussions. The Allies are seriously asking themselves: Do the Turks mean business?" (A. and K.Z. Cable.)

TROUBLE ON THE FRONTIER. (.Received \h:V) a.m.' SOFIA, December 28. It is reported from Thraoe that trouble between the Creeks and the Turks has occurred at Karagatch. near Ad.ianople.—(A. and X.Z. Cable.)