THE H.B. TRIBUNE. MONDAY. SEPTEMBER 25. 1922. TRUCULENT TURKEY.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 241, 25 September 1922, Page 4

THE H.B. TRIBUNE. MONDAY. SEPTEMBER 25. 1922. TRUCULENT TURKEY.

The cable news that has come through since Saturday morning still leaves the situation in the Near East apparently trembling in the balance, the most disquieting feature being that there is evidently not yet anything like a cordial agreement between the Prime Ministers of France and Britain as to the attitude that should be adopted. Each has given out to press representatives of his own country a statement of his views as being a justification of the stand taken. Reading these together, it is quite manifest that M. Poincare and Mr. Lloyd George are almost as far as ever from being in accord as to how the position should be treated. Of the two statements issued it is surely not altogether prejudice in favour of the British representative that makes his read by much the more dignified and, to British sentiment at any rate, much the, more acceptable. Mr. Lloyd George’s contention is obviously for the maintenance of the present position pending the result of a conference at which the whole question of readjustment as between Turkish and Greek claims may be threshed out and something like stable conditions established. A clear indication is at the same time given that Turkish claims are to receive full consideration, and even that some of these are regarded as certain of being conceded. But Mr. Lloyd George at once desires to make it clear that this is no newly found decision prompted largely by recent Turkish military successes against the Greeks that he fears may be followed by the like against Allied or British forces. He bases his stand in this respect upon the conclusions which were reached by Allied councils in March last, when there was no thought of any such triumph as has come to Turkish arms, and when the principle at foot was a regard for the disposal of a difficult problem on a basis as fair as possible to both parties directly concerned. To make froth that stand now any change manifestly favourable to Turkey cannot possibly be regarded as being other than the result of the changed military situation and of apprehensions of the possible military effects to follow. In truth, it could not be interpreted anywhere otherwise than as a concession made to a victor not tmlyl over the Greeks, but one of whom even the Allies are afraid. Yet this is obviously the attitude which M. Poincare would have Britain choose to adopt, and no amount of verbal camouflage can hide the fact. To talk of diplomatic notes being addressed “in the most friendly terms'” to a Power which not only proved traitor to its best friends when the Great War came, but which now assumes the right to dictate the conditions on which the proposed peaceful discussion will be entertained, is mere empty talk. There can be no hope of any sound and lasting peace being evolved from a conference which starts from such a beginning. Mr. Lloyd George emphasises the fact that the sfhnd taken against Turkey’s arrogant demands, arising in the flush of victory, is identical with that taken against a proposed aggressive movement by Greece at a time when she had dreams of success. M. Poincare, on the other hand, seems solicitous for nothing other than to conciliate, even to

ingratiate himself with, Turkey coming to a conference with her naked sword in her hand and still dripping with the blood of tens of thousands of Christian non-combat-ants. France appears to be anxious from the outset to whitewash Turkey, and says no word whatever as to the protection of the Christian races that may remain subject to Ottoman rule. It can scarcely be conceived that M, Poincare, after what has happened during the last eight years, can be actuated by any real friendship for the Turks, or any confidence in verbal undertakings they may give. Much more reasonable is it to assume that he is inspired by hostility to the Greeks, of whose deserts, it has to be admitted, very little in their favour can be said. It cannot but be remembered, too, that M. Poincare’s judgment is fettered by the secret pact into which France entered with the Kemalist Government at a time when it was understood among the Allies that no recognition would be extended to it. Indeed, it would almost seem as if there were even some further French commitment to Turkey of which we have not yet heard. Mr. Lloyd George has most certainly gone quite as far as it is possible to go without creating an inevitable inference that we are actuated by fear of the consequences, whjile M. Poinjcare’s declaration is capable of constructions that are anything but pleasant to contemplate. We fancy that, when the world comes to a dispassionate review of the situation, it will give its judgment in favour of the British Prime Minister. It would certainly go very much against the grain, for British people at any rate, to have to think of themselves as truckling to a virtual enemy whom we had recently so soundly thrashed, and whom we had shown quite Recently every disposition to treat with fairness, if not even with generosity. What is to come of it all we should know within the next few days.