THE NEAR EAST

Evening Star, Issue 17312, 27 March 1920, Page 6

THE NEAR EAST

DEBATE IN 1 COMMONS OX PARTICIPATION OF TURKEY. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, March 25. in the House cf Commons!-Mr Asquith drew Attention to the foreign rroiicy, and severely condemned the Government's decision to retain the Turks in Constantinople. He recognised that it was now practlcallv impossible to recede from the terms °»\ •£? ..Flushed announcement. Mr Asquith. favored making the Sultan's position in Constantinople similar'to that of the Pope in tho Vatican, allowing the Ztvuv? e ;? rci « n0 functions but those of Khahf He urged that the total amount ot reparation claims against the Central Powers should be fixed. Mr Lloyd George, replying, said that it was a ma . t ter for European joy that the mihtarvEt plot in Germany had failed, but it was most difficult to conjecture what would happen now, although the situation ordw "Seated the restoration of The Vaticanisaticn of the Sultan, added Mr Lloyd George, had been considered inadequate Se contended that it would enormously increase the All ; ed financial responsibility if they w e r 6 expected to Govern Constantinople. The delay in siting the mrkish Treaty v:,w due to a deSire not to proceed pending the possible settlement ot the political "differences in America. He regretted tho absence of an offer by America to protect Armenia,, ad<ung j We cannot poiice the whole Wld • t o. I bur<Jen th « British Empire indefinitely with the cost cf policing." Mv Lloyd George disagreed with Mr Asquith s suggestion that British interests in Mesopotamia should be restricted to-a zone in Basra, and stated that almost al' Uie .tribes were anxious that tho British Government should remain. «' Our idea " he said, "was'to remain as mandatories over the territory, which would include Mosul, in order to assist the Arab Government, Ho pointed out that Germany had not taKen advantage of the invitation to make a special offer regarding reparations. He emphasised tho necessity for remembering, the justice of the French claims, and .he. ielt that' the Allies would support mir and reasonable proposals. The Minister discountenanced the suggestion that the reparation woik should ly handed over to the League of Nations: OCCUPATION OF CONSTANTINOPLE. t. Constantinople; March 24. AT-i-t Er i tlsh llave arrested Said Pasha, Military Governor of Constantinople. AMERICA AND ARMENIA. WASHINGTON, March 25. lhe Sub-committee of- the Semite Foreign Relations. Committee recommended that rhe United States Government should provide arms and equipment sufficient lor tne Armenian army to protect their people against tho Turks and Kurds; also that an American warship be sent to Batum, and that marines be landed to protect the railway connecting Datum with Baku. EGYPT'S FUTURE. ' . , , LONDON, March 24. It_ is'understood that the Milner Commission will recommend a- milder term than protectorate to describe British authority but Egypt will not be allowed to send diplomatic representatives abroad, though she will be allowed to receive foreign diplomats. The Legislature will be bicameral. The Upper House will be nartlv nominated and pr.rty elective. Parliament will net control the Ministers. The Sultan will i-ppomt them. The Commission recommend that many higher junior officials I should be Egyptians.