NEAR EAST CRISIS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17608, 10 November 1922, Page 9

NEAR EAST CRISIS.

MENACE TO WORLD'S PEACE. TURKISH CLAIMS TO BE •RESISTED. ALLIES' UNITED POLICY. '&\ CaVr—Press A«soriat ! on —Copyright.) uW.raU™ and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON". November 8. It is officially statod that tho Allies ;irc- firmly resolved to maintain the position existing in Constantinople at the time the Mudania agreement was signed. The High Commissioners are sending a Note to the National Assembly at Angora demanding observance of the convention. In his speech in the City, Lord Curzon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, said:—"The position in the Near East at the moment constitutes a most definite menace to the world's peace. Events during tho last 24 liourß have dealt rather a rude shock to expectations of the Mudania Conference and of the Lausanne Conference. The policy of the Turks is one of Nationalism gone wild. It is almost suicidal in character. The pretensions of the Turks cannot bo tolerated. They have not any conceivable justification. They aro an affront to the Allies and a challenge to Europe. There is absolute accord between the Allied generals and High Commissioners on the rpot. I trust that this unity will be ratified by the Governments and maintained. We are preparod to maintain it. We are prepared to make our contribution towards its maintenance; but, if it is broken owing to no action of ours, we shall be unable to support the burden alone." Lord Curzon appealed to the country to sustain the Government in common action, and to strengthen its hand in defence of the honour of the flag. "Turkey must leam," he said, "that there is a limit to concessions. Wo cannot purchase peace at the cost of humiliation and disgrace. Turkey must learn that the strength of Great Britain and the might of Europe are rocks against which she will hurl herself in vain." Mr Asquith, addressing his constituents at Paisley, said the issues involved in the very serious situation in the Near East were far too grave to be subordinated to party distinctions. It was the considered judgment of the Liberal Party that it was of the utmost importance that unity of purpose, policy, action, and front should be maintained between the Great Powers. We were faced with a dangerous and difficult problem, and any want of tact or blunder of judgment might precipitato a 'catastrophe. Mr J. H. Thomas, M.P. (Labour), speaking at Derby, said the Kemalist leaders would make a profound mistake if they attempted to take advantage of Britain's preoccupation in the election. Labour stood definitely for peace, leaving the House of Commons to decide on committing the country to war. , Colonel Hughes (Director of Gallipoli Graves Commission) regards the Turkish demands, as a natural move in internal tactics. He declares that the conscripted army of peasants, having achieved their objectives, are becoming impatient, and unless kept moving will dissolve, leaving Mustapha Kemal Pasha powerless. If the Turks start a war they realise they will create a most serious position. Every Greek refugee would volunteer. In addition, three army corps already on the Maritza in Thrace are of entirely different mettle from those which ded in Asia Minor. OPINION IN FRANCE. rOECE £F NECESSARY. (Received November 9th, 7-46 p.m.) PARIS, November 8. The Press is now almost unanimous that the Allies must use force, if necessary, to make the Turks respect them. There is a general demand for sending reinforcements. The cruiser WaldeckRousseau has gone to Constantinople. The "Temps" says: "We ar e confronted with the possibility of war between the Turks and the Allies, the former relying on the Russian Soviet Government, which has become the arbiter between Asia and Europe.^ Recalling Marshal Foch's statement that the European side of the Dardanelles can be held, the "Petit Parisien" days the Turks can be prevented from passing the Straits without a great military force, and points out that the Allies can easily reinforce their troops by appealing to their Balkan allies. There are reasons for thinking that Roumania particularly would send troops to Constantinople on a unanimous invitation from the Allies. *. . ~ =ggagai