BRITAIN’S ATTITUDE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 240, 23 September 1922, Page 5

BRITAIN’S ATTITUDE.

A Clear Definition CHOICE OF PEACE OR WAR. LIES IN KEMAL’S HANDS. .By Cable.—Pres. Association. —Copyright.) (Received 23, 2.5 p.m.) London, September 22. >t is authoritatively stated that in the British attitude on r.ie Near East Britain is seeking nothing for herself. She is pursuing no shortsighted policy based on amour propre. Her supreme interest, no modification of which can be enter tained, is the neutralisation of the Straits, with a full guarantee of free navigation for all countries under the League, or soma other effective international organisation. All other matters are secondary and subject to peaceful accommodation between Turkey and the States more directly concerned. While the Government is completpleting naval, military and air measures to safeguard the neutrality of the Straits and covering positions, it in no way desires to precipitate hostilities. War will never come from the British side, but it is only possible if the Kemalist forces attack the positions occupied by the Allies at the armistice, and held consistently as neutral territory throughout the Craeco-Turkish hostilities. The situation, therefore, is in Kemal’s hands, but there is at present no reason for supposing Kemal will choose to apply force cf arms to questions which are adjustable by conference. There is no secret about the strength of the Turkish forces, and no weight is attached to the exaggerated alarmist estimates of what she can put into the held. —(Reuter). Beatty Well Satisfied WITH HIS PARIS MISSION. LEAGUE INTERVENTION IMPROBABLE. ALLIES-KEMAL CONFERENCE FAVOURED. (Received 23, 12 noon.) London, September 22. The Australian Press Association’s Geneva correspondent states that opinion there is that League intervention is improbable. A direct conference between the Allies and the Kemalists is increasingly favoured. The French and Italian delegations oppose intervention. The British Empire delegation is believed to be awaiting the lead from English members, who, in turn, are awaiting information from Mr. Lloyd George. The political committee to which the Assembly remitted the Norwegian and Persian appeals for intervention under Article 11 of the Covenant will meet to-night, when it is anticipated the British attitude will be disclosed. The position in the Near East is unchanged. Mr. Lloyd George has gone into the country, and will not return before Monday, unless new developments arise. Probably no Cabinet meeting will take place until Lord Curzon returns from Paris. It is understood Lord Beatty reports that his Paris interviews were quite satisfactory.—(A. and N,Z.) N.Z. LABOUR PARTY’S INQUIRY. BRITISH LABOURITES’ REPLY. Wellington, • September 23. The New Zealand Labour Party cabled to the British party; "What is the British Labour view on the Turkish situation?” and received the following reply, dated London. September 22:—“Your telegram was considered to-day by the National Joint Council representing the General Council oi the Trades Union Congress, executive committee of the Labour Party and Parliamentary Labour Party, who passed the following resolution, ana instructed us to telegraph it to you:— The British Labour Party is opposed to any war in the Near East, and believes the only effective wav of avoiding it is by reference of the dispute to the League of Nations, in which Turkey, Russia, and Germany should be included. We are strongly opposed to Britain acting individually, and demand a settlement by discussion and agreement.—J. B. Williams (chairman), Arthur Henderson (secretary).’ ” SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS SERVICES OFFERED. Mr. J. A. Simson, of Hastings, as Dominion president of the South African War Veterans’ Association, tele graphed the Prime Minister in connection with the existing crisis in the East of Europe, offering the services of the association in whatever way the Government required., He has reueived a wire from tire Prime Minister in reply as follows: — “Government cordially appreciates patriotic offer of South ATrican War Veterans contained in your telegram of yesterday to volunteer their services in present crisis if required. Have communicated your telegram to Defence Minister.—W. F. Massey.”