MUDANIA DISCUSSIONS

Evening Star, Issue 18093, 7 October 1922, Page 3

MUDANIA DISCUSSIONS

STILL PROCEEDING. MANY OBSTACLES IN WAY. S?r«so Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, October 5. Cabinet to-night had to adjourn in consequence of the non-receipt of the report of yesterday’s session. Thus, there at present is no indication whether a satisfactory solution has been reached _ today; 'but this is not anticipated since as an authoritative statement says,, the discussions are beset with difficulties owing to the great divergency of interests at stake. A later message states that the Allied generals have returned to Constantinople to consult with the High Commissioners, and will afterwards return to Mudania.—Reuter. THE PROTOCOL. BASIS OF NEGOTIATIONS. LONDON, October 5. A Constantinople communique states that General Harington presented the Conference protocol agreed upon by the Allies at the opening discussions of tbe Mudania Conference. Ismct Pasha urged that when Turkish authority had been reinstated in Thrace the Allied control should bo withdrawn as soon as possible. It was agreed that the reinstallation of Turkish authority would take at least one month. Ismet Pasha proposed that an Allied covering force shouli remain on the Maritza River till the completion of the Turkish reoccupation, and urged the establishment of a neutral zone in the west of the _ Maritza. His draft of these proposals is being studied to-day. He expressed bis willingness to meet the Greek general. In visw of the general agreement between the Allied and Turkish delegates, it is felt that the question of peace now lies with the Government in Athens.—A. and N.Z. Cable. KEMAL'S CONFIDENCE. WORLD WITH THE TURKS. LONDON, October 5. The ‘Morning Post’s’ Constantinople correspondent states that Kemal Pasha, in a message to the population of Constantinople, declares: “The day of peace corresponding with the National aspirations is near now. Everything devolves on our arms. The whole world is on our side. Tho sane section of British opinion is on our side, and even certain Western statesmen who were formerly misguided are on our side.” The last sentence is in reference to the new tendencies of British diplomacy.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE MAIN CONFERENCE. ANGORA’S REPLY. DESIRE FOR RUSSIA’S INCLUSION.

LONDON, October 5,

A summary of tho Angora Government's reply to the Allied invitation received by the Foreign Office states that the Angora Government appreciates the desire for a just and durable peace. The Mudania meeting will deal with the Angora Government’s viewpoint regarding the present military situation, and its decisions will he completely executed. As regards the Peace Conference, the Angora Government accepts the invitation, and thanks the Allies for recognising the Turkish rights in Thrace. It declares that there is no disagreement in principle regarding the freedom of the Straits in order to secure the safety of Constantinople and the Sea of Marmora, and to safeguard the minorities within limits compatible either with the independence of the sovereignty of Turkey or the exigencies of an effective settlement in the Near East.

Tho reply points out that, apart from the Four Great Powers and Greece, two other Stales were invited, presumably because they are interested in certain questions to be settled; but the only important question of this kind is the control of the Straits. Therefore, Angora is surprised that Russia, the Ukraine, and Georgia were not invited, since they are deeply interested. Their participation and help would make the settlement more lasting. The Note states that the Angora Government promises to communicate its reply later regarding the question of membership of the League of Nations, and welcomes tho renewed assurances regarding tho evacuation of Constantinople by tho Allied troops. It is convinced that the Allies appreciate the impatience with which Angora awaits tho realisation of its desire. It states that Angora is impressed by the appeal with which the Allied Note concludes, and it assures the Allies of Angora’s.loyal and sincere assistance in re-establishing and maintaining peace.—Router.

THE MEETING PLAGE.

OBJECTIONS TO SMYRNA. LONDON, October 5. Angora’s proposal that a Peace Conference be held at Smyrna is not favored in authoritative circles in London owing to its remoteness from the Allied capitals and the probable lack of accommodation and facilities for communication. It is noteworthy that the latter disadvantage is being felt in connection with the Mudania Conference. —Reuter.

TURKS IN NEUTRAL ZONES.

LONDON, October 5,

Mr Martin Donohoe, telegraphing from Constantinople, states that Kemal’s promise to withdraw I,oooyds from the British front line was only partly observed. The cavalry have fallen back on two sectors, hut on tho - third are still within 300yds of the British wire. Komal's concentration continues, and the British are now in touch with'the infantry detachments of his second army, which defeated the Greeks. Kemalisfc artillery is a considerable distance away. Owing to the main roads having been torn up by tho British, ahd the Turkish reliance on bullock transport, tiie forward march is slow and difficult. Tho coast roads on our flanks are under naval observation. If Kema.l’s guns show up they will certainly receive a peppering from the warships.— A. and N.Z. Cable.

CONSTANTINE’S TROUBLES. MAY GO TO AMERICA. ROME, October 5. Failing to find accommodation in Palermo, Constantine and his family are expected to leave, probably for*New York.—-A. and N.Z. Cable. GREEK TROOPS SAIL FOR ADRIANOPLE.

CONSTANTINOPLE, October 6. (Received October 7, at 12.20 a.m.)

Two Greek troop trains have left .Salonika for Adrianoplo.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

GOVERNOR GENERAL OF THRACE.

ATHENS, October 6. (Received October 7, at 12.20 a.m.)

A semi-official message states that M. Nider has been appointed GovernorGeneral of Thrace. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

RUSSIAN ACTIVITY. ORGANISING NAVAL FORCES. ALL STATIONS BUSY. BERLIN, October 6. (Received October 7, at 12.20 a.m.) The Military Council of the Soviet Republic has decided immediately to mobilise the Black Sea naval forces. The commander has suspended all leave. The destroyers and auxiliary _ vessels axe rapidly being put into condition at Nikolaievek and Sebastopol. Despite the efforts of the Bolsheviks to trim the fleet, ■however, they have not much improved its strength and efficiency except in the case of the cruiser Makhimoff, which was xechristened the Kemal Pasha. Tho remaining vessels .are out of date. Tho submarine, flotilla, which now includes submarines recently despatched from the Finnish Gulf, is in better - condition. The rest of the craft making up tho Black Sea fleet consists of commercial vessels and transports armed with light guns and machine guns.—‘ Times, RUSSIAN HOSTILITY TO BRITAIN. , LONDON, October 6. (Received October 7, at 12.20 a.m.) The Moscow Labor Defence Council, under Lenin’s chairmanship, declined to ratify the Urquhart agreement, because of tho unprecedented length of the concessions and the Near Eastern situation ; also Russia’s anti-British activity.— A. and N.Z. Cable. [A Berlin message of September 11 stated An agreement was signed here to-day by Mr Leslie Urquhart (on behalf of the Russo-Asiatic Consolidated Company) and M. Krassin (on behalf of the Soviet Government) by. which the company obtains a ninety-nine years lease ot property in the Urals (Siberia), which the company previously owned or leased. Tho company has secured the right to make its own arrangements with its workmen on the usual British trade union terms, and will receive compensation partly in. cash and partly in bonds for damage done to properties through destruction or nationalisation. The sum or £56,000,000 is involved.] SITUATION SUMMARISED. DIFFICULTIES AT EVERY TURN. FRENCH ATTITUDE QUESTIONED. LONDON, October 6. (Received October 7, at 12.20 a.m.) The scantv British official information is the reverse of and is m l at contradiction to .the semi-officialstate ments from non-Bntish sources. It is stated that Downing Street, after a Cabinet meeting, that difficn lUes-many of them serious—were encounteied at e J turn at Wednesday’s conference, journed without any agreement oi eren principle being reached. . , , P The ‘ Daily Chronicle’ says that instead of keeping to strictly, military matters, as was intended, the Turks are raising political and diplomatic questions, which belong exclusively to the Peace Conference. It states that it is M. Bouillon who is instigating and encouraging the lurks to discuss these matters. His views arc known to be extremely unpalatable to the British. It is not unlikely that the British Government will he moved to issue a protest against the activities of this agent from Paris. ... The ‘Daily Telegraph says:. Ihe British Government is .still determined not to evacuate Chanak or to allow the Kcmalists to Thrace until peace is finally concluded M. Bouillon told the Allied High Commissioners at Gpnsiantinoplc that tho Turks would not evacuate the neutral zone unless the British evacuated Chanak.” The ‘Telegraph also raises the question of M. Bouillon s status and activities. On the other hand, a Paris message suggests that Downing Street is unduly hampering General Harington by instructions with which he partially disagrees. Diplomatists profess not to understand the halt in the negotiations, saying that General Charpy, who possesses unfettered authority, is practically in agreement with General* Harington.

It is also stated that fresh Greek intrigues are developing.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

ADJOURNMENT EXPLAINED. GREEKS CONSULT GOVERNMENT. LONDON, October 6. (Received October 7, at 12.20 a.m.) It is reported that the Mudania Conference was suspended because the Greeks wanted to consult the Athens Government. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

WHY OABIHET lAS GALLED.

TURKISH SURPRISE SPRUNG ON CONFERENCE.

BRITAIN NOT OPPOSED TO RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION,

LONDON, October 6,

(Received October 7, at 12.5 p.m.)

It is understood that the Mudania Conference proceeded satisfactorily till yesterday, when the Turks sprung a surprise, demanding permission to immediately .occupy Eastern Thrace before the Peace Conference, to which the Angora Government had consented. This occupation was demanded, with adequate safeguards lor the protection of_ minorities, and raised a political question, with which the Allied generals did not fed themselves empowered to deal. They therefore returned to Constantinople to consult their respective High Commissioners, and the British Commissioner regarded tho situation ns so serious that no decided to consult Cabinet. It is understood that this new trouble did not arise from any difficulty with Greece. It is believed that Venizelos left London convinced that Turkish occupation of Eastern Thrace after the Peace Conference, in accordance with tho Allies’ Paris Note, was inevitable.

Tho present situation is entirely due to the Turks’ intransigeanco in making demands which would result in their emerging from the war stronger both in Europe and Asia Minor than before. Nevertheless, Turkish doubledealing was not altogether unexpected, and consequently authoritative circles do not take an over-gloomy view.

It is understood that the British Government raavj raise no serious objection to the inclusion of Russia, Georgia, and the Ukraine in the Peace Conference; but the French attitude is debatable.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

ARROGANT TURKISH CLAIMS. CABINET TAKES SEEIOUS VIEW. LONDON, October 6. (Deceived October 7, at 12.25 p.m.) Lord Curzon has hastily gone to Paris to consult the French Government over the Angora situation. The Government takes a most serious view of the position. General Harington supplied a very full report. Turkey is asking for terms far beyond those conceded by the Paris Note, creating a complete deadlock. The K'emalist cavalry is now invading the Ismid zone, while troops are concentrating further to the south-west. —A. and N.Z. Cable.