ASIA MINOR.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17628, 4 December 1922, Page 9

ASIA MINOR.

THE GREEK OPERATIONS,

ALLEGED SECRET HISTORY.

(By Cnli'e—Press Assori»(ion—Copyright 11 'Australian and N.Z. Cable t Associition.)

(Received December 3rd, 5.5 p.m.)

PARIS, December 1

"Le Matin'-' is publishing remarkable documents purporting to be despatches from M. Venizelos to tho Greek Foreign Office, covering dealings with Mr Lloyd George in 1020. The "Matin" comments that "the duplicity displayed in this secret history is revolting when it is remembered it waS instigated by the author of the Versailles Treaty. Mr Lloyd George, with the assistance of a Greek Minister afflicted with megalomania, conducted

the Greek people to disaster, partly destroyed the Entente, divided Europe, and brought on the war."' The most important document is dated London, June 15th. 1920, and headed "Absolutely personal. To be decoded by Minister himself." If. Venizelos in his despatch says: "Mr Lloyd George informed me it was impossible to count on Italy, which would probably be glad if the treaty of peace with Turkey were not executed. Mr Lloyd George added that M. Millerand was sincere, but French public opinion would object to sending an army to Turkey in order to impose conditions of peace. Mr Lloyd George was also confronted by difficulties coming from his own Foreign Office and military circles, which were still inspired by the pro-Turk spirit of Disraeli, consequently Mr Lloyd George asked me if Greece had the will to make tho necessary military efforts to impose peace upon Turkey. "Without hesitation I replied that Greece had the necessary force. Mr Lloyd George asked me to convince him that the British General Staff had over-estimated the value of the Turkish resistance." M. Venizelos concluded: "I hope to occupy in Turkey a place equal to the great Powers, and to obtain supervision of the Straits." Other documents show that Mr Churchill and Field-Marshal Sir Henry Wilson warned M. Venizelos to carefully reckon up the Greek forces in order that they should not assume a task which might be too heavy. M. Venizelos also telegraphed to the Greek Foreign Minister, after the Boulogne Conference, stating that he had succeded in getting Mr Lloyd George to adopt his proposals for dismombering Turkey, which would thus be reduced to the pleateau of Anatolia.