THE NEAR EAST PROBLEM.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17728, 3 April 1923, Page 7

THE NEAR EAST PROBLEM.

0 TURKISH PEACE TERMS. THE ALLIED REPLY. (BT CABLK—PBE3S ASSOCIATION —COPrnTnT- ' (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLB ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, April 1. Tha Allies' Note to Angora leaves the Turks to fix the date of the next Lausanne Conference, otherwise it is a vague document deliberately refraining- from definite refutation of the reiterated Turkish claims, and seeking to leave the door open for a resumption of negotiations.

Later. The Allied reply to tho Turkish counter-proposals suggests a prompt resumption of negotiations. It accepts in principle the proposal to re-draft the clauses relating to the capitulations, with a view to securing the recognition by Turkey of the beuefits of reciprocity, as far as is practicable. Tho Note Tefuses Turkey's request to remove the economic clauses from the Treaty, but expresses the opinion that agreement could be reached' by mutual concessions. The Note declares that the Allies have invited their nationals, who have acquired interests in Turkey, to enter into negotiations directly with the Turkish Government. In the event of the negotiations resulting the Allies will not insist upon the insertion in the Treaty of their previously detailed provisions. The reply further expresses the conviction that, with equal goodwill on both sides, peace can be concluded without difficulty. Another message says the Allied reply expresses surprise that Ismet Pasha should have reopened various questions he accepted as settled at Lausanne, and should have raised several entiraly new points. Nevertheless, in their earnest desire to expedite the conclusion of a just and lasting peace, the Allies are ready to discuss Turkey's counter-proposals on the distinct understanding that the economic clauses shall also be reopened and reconsidered.

A POLITICAL MURDER.

CONSTANTINOPLE, March .81. Angora advices state that Ali Clmkri Bey, deputy for Trebizond, was assassinated for political reasons. C'hukri was missing for some days. His friends in the National Assembly charged the Government with his murder. This was denied, but the disclosure of the crime has badly shaken the Government.