NEAR EAST CRISIS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17609, 11 November 1922, Page 11

NEAR EAST CRISIS.

ANGORA'S AGGRESSIVENESS. AT.T.TBn HIGH COMMISSIONERS' WARNING. (By Cable—Prws Association—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Awociation.) CONSTANTINOPLE, November 9. The Allied High Commissioners have handed a Note to the representative of the Angora National Assembly, stating that if the measures adopted by the Turkish Nationalist authorities in the city, which are in flagrant violation or the Mudros and Mudania conventions, are not -withdrawn, they will consult their Governments regarding the adoption of the necessary urgent measures. PARIS, November 9. General Sherif Pasha has telegraphed to Mustaoha Kemal Pashn, urging him not to proceed with his latest demands. He states that the action of Angora J regarding the Khalifat is disquieting and constitutes a grave error, and is capable of compromising the moral support which Turkey receives throughout the Mussulman world. Sherif Pasha considers that it is impossible that Islam will permit the Khalifat to be deprived of the temporal power which is essential to uphold the dignity of the Islamic faith. (Received November 10th, 9.5 p.m.) PARIS, November 10. Ferid Bey, Angora's representative here, declares that the armistico agreement of Mudros no longer existed, as if was the basis of the Sevres Treaty, which was now void. Therefore the only treaty that counted was the Mudania agreement. LONDON, November 9. An effort is being made to get wireless communication with the British Fleet in the Bosphorus. At the Lausanne Conference, Angora will demand the restoration of the Mosul and Mesopotamian oil-wells, while France will be asked to relinquish Syria. Lord Curzon (Foreign Secretary) and Sir Horace Rumbold (Ambassador at Constantinople) are likely to be the British representatives at the conferonce, which will probably meet oa November 20. SITUATION IMPROVED. TURKS MORE REASONABLE. > (Eeuter's Telegrams.) (Received November 11th, 1.10 a.m.) PARIS, November 10. Official information confirms the impression of an improvement in the Near East situation. Reports from the Allied High Commissioners state that several interviews with Rafat Pasha and the Angora Foreign Minister have yielded the impression that the Kemalists are beginning to adopt sounder views of the situation which are appreciable. They profess they are making an attempt to.settle the difficulties. A noteworthy development is that the Allies have consented to co-operate'with the Kemalists on certain administrative councils which have been placed under Allied control. Rafat Pasha has expressed a desire to reach a modus vivendi. ATTITUDE OF ITALY. UNITED FRONT WITH ALLIES. ROME, November 9 After a meeting of the Cabinet yesterday afternoon, Signer Mussolini stated that he had telegraphed to the Italian, High Commissioner at Constautinople saying that he favoured the for mat-ion of 'a united front in regard to Turkey. He had also ordered the warship Archimede to remain at Constantinople, and other vessels were being .hold in readiness to protect Italian nationals if necessary. Italy had agreed to the British, suggestion for a postponement of, the Lausanne Conference, provided the delay is brief. Signor Mussolini bus reserved himself freedom to Jnarticipate in an?, conference with the British and IVnch Premiers. If he were personally prevented from attending at Lausanne, he would appoint delegates in whom he had confidence. (Roceived November 10th, 7.35 p.m.) ROME, November 10. When the Ministerial Council was discussing foreign affairs, Signor Mussolini said the Turks might consider themselves victorious 'over the Gieeks, but they must not be allowed to imagine 1 themselves victorious over the European Powers. It) was for Italy to take a 6trong stand beside the other Powers, and the Italian High Commissioner at Constantinople had been instructed to do hi-3 share in maintaining a united front against the Turkish pretensions. The Colonial Minister said Cyrenaica, in Northern Africa, was disturbed, being influenced by events in the Near East, and Turkish agents had created disaffection among the Senussi. LAUSANNE CONFERENCE. CLAIMS OF RUSSIA AND BULGARIA. LONDON, November 9. The Government has received, a Note from the Russian Soviet Government, protesting- against the limiting of ita representation at Lausanne to the question of the freedom of the. Dardanelles. The Soviet Government does not regard the Conference as a liquidation of the war between the Allies and Turkey, but rather as a general settlement of the Near Eastern questions. Russia expresses surprise that Bulgaria is excluded, while Roumania, Jugo-Slavia ; and Japamare admitted. The Note disclaims any intention to place Turkey under Bussian tutelage. The Soviet Government wishes only to maintain Turkey's sovereign rights, and will carry those principles into military and naval spheres. The guarantee of peace -in the Black j Sea, and the security of Russia's coast ; and the position of Ukrania and Georgia cannot be treated separately

from the general settlement. The Soviet insists on the representation of the Ukrain and Georgia, It is eemi-officinlly stated that Bulgaria has expressed disappointment at not being invited, on tho ground that she is interested in obtaining an outlet to the .Egean Sea, and also in tho fate of 2000 refugees within her borders The Allies have intimated that Bulgaria's righte in these matters will bo adequately safeguarded. She will be consulted if necessary. There is a thinly-veiled apprehension in France that an outbreak of war with Turkey, backed by Russia, may cause Germany to oonaider whether sho cannot reap an advantage from the Eastern turmoil. BRITAIN'S POLICY. LORD CURZON CRITICISED. THE APPEAL TO THE DOMINIONS. (Received November 10th, 7.35 p.m.) LONDON, November 10. Mr Lloyd George, referring to tho Near East, said Lord Curzon had not won a great reputation for firmness. He hoped the Premier would insist on Lord Curzon'a firm words bob? translated into action in dealing with the Turks. (Hauler's Telegram.) (Received November 10th, 9.5 p.m,) LONDON, November 9. Mr Winston Churchill, replying to Lord Curzon's reference to tho lato Government's manifesto of Soptembor IGth, declared that Lord Curzon attended and agreed with all tho decisions of tho Cabinet meeting, at which it was decided to appeal to tho Dominions. Mr. Churchill expressed resentment at Lord Curzon blaming his late colleagues when the only reason he was not consulted regarding tha issue of tho manifesto was his absonco from his post. The urgency for tho statement issued on September , 16th was shown by the fact that the • response of New Zealand to the inquiry about sending troops became public throughout tho Empire a few hours later, and would, but for tho statement, have been ontiroly unexplained. (Received Novomber lllh, 12.5 a.m.) LONDON, Novomber 9. Mr Churchill, replying to Lord Curzon, regarding the late Government's manifesto, said that on enquiry at tho Foreign Office Mr Lloyd George was surprised to hear that Lord Curzon had left London on the Friday night, September 15th, for one of his country seats, and did not propose to return until the following Tuesday. If Lord Curzon had been at his post he would have been the first to be consulted. Mr Lloyd George and Mr Chamberlain definitely requested Lord Ounson to return to London, but he replied that his London house waß not properly prepared for his reception. "It doeß not lie in the mouth of a Minister who was absent from his post at a most critical juncture to endeavour to blame his chief and his colleagues for urgent action necessary in the publio interests." [Lord Curzon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, speaking in London on Wednesday, said that there had been no plot or intrigue in regard to the late Government. He was prepared to concede great superiority o£ intellect to his late colleagues, although he had not always agreed with the late Government's policy. The manifesto" of September 16th regarding the Near East crisis was issued without his knowledge. 1 , It was unfortunate in character and tone.] WARSHIPS FOR CONSTANTINOPLE. AMERICAN CRUISER ORDERED EAST. t PARIS, November 9. It is reported that the battleship Jean Bart has been ordered to Constantinople. (Received November 10th, 9.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 9. The United States flagship Pitt-burg; acting on sudden orders, left Gibraltar for Constantinople, (Received November 11th, 1.10 a.m.) ROME, November 10. Several Italian warships have Been ordered to Constantinople.