ALLIES' CONFERENCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 9 October 1922, Page 5

ALLIES' CONFERENCE.

Attitude of Greece

PAEIS. Oct. 7,

A conference between Lord Curzon, lord Hardinge (British Ambassador), and M. Poineare began at eleven o 'clock in the evening. They were joined by the Italian Charge d'Affaires, in the absence of Signor Sforza, and also by three experts. The conference lasted three hours.

Lord Curzon, interviewed on leaving, said they had made good progress. The deliberations will be resumed in the morning. The strictest secrecy has been maintained, but the Havas news correspondent says it appears to have been agreed to permit the Turkish administration and gendarmerie to occupy Thrace as the Greeks retire, the Allied contingents withdrawing therefrom after a month, when the territories will be completely restored -to Turkish sovereignty. Final instructions to the Allied High Commissioners in this sense will be drafted at the next meeting.—Eeuter.

CONSTANTINOPLE, Oct. 6. Turkish papers announce that Ismet 3?a^ha has demanded the evacuation of Thrace and surrender to the Kemalists within one month, independently of the peace treaty.

ATHENS, Oct. 6

It is officially stated the Greek delegates at Mudania refused to, agree to the withdrawal of Greek troops from Thrace.

LONDON, Oct. 7.

In connection with the breakdown of the Mudania conference, it is noteworthy that French newspapers display a tendency to throw some blame on the Greeks. ~ General Pelle telegraphed the Quai d'Orsay, depicting •the attitude of the Greeks unfavourably. He declares the fear of trouble over Thrace is in no way without foundation. The Greeks have already burn•ed some 50 villages in Thrace.

According to the Matin, the French Government has received advices that -the Greek delegation refused to agree to any concession in regard to Thrace. —Eeuter.

CONSTANTINOPLE, Oct. 7,

Kemal, in a speecli in the Assembly, prior to the Mudania conference, said "that although it was necessary to clear the country of enemies to the national frontiers, it was not the Government's -wish to use force. The Greek evacuation of Thrace must be effected quickly, however, in order to avoid danger "to the Turkish population. Kemal repeated his desire for the freedom of the Straits.

ROME, Oct. 7.

The Angora Legation lias been informed that while the French delegates at the Mudania conference moved to accept all Kemal's demands, the British opposed acceptance, and the conference was suspended while particulars of the situation were cabled to London.

LONDON, Oct. 6.

Mr H. H. Asquitli, addressing Scottish Liberals, said he had supposed British diplomacy had reached the climax of clumsiness and' ineptitude in the

publication of the Balfour Note, but that had been easily surpassed in all the qualities which such a document ought not to possess by the communication from Downing Street appealing to the Dominions, which sounded like notes provocative of panic. It was issued without intimation to the other Powers.

All this strident rhetoric, bugleblowing and flag-waving was wholly inexplicable unless a prospect of war was well in sight. Had we been fighting Turkey to-day we would have been single-handed, for neither France nor Italy would have sacrificed a man or fired a gun. . The freedom of the Straits was a matter of international importance, in no sense exclusively or mainly British.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

ATHENS, Oct. 7.

A significant semi-official communique to the newspapers says the Government is faced with the alternative of accepting the Allied Note regarding the restitution of East Thrace to Turkey, or offering battle at Chatalja, risking the very existence of the State. The leaders of the country, particularly the military leaders, would be '.'ailed on to express opinions, and decisions would be taken accordingly-

ATHENS. Oct. 6,

A Government communique declares that the nations which retain Thrace should clearly understand that only a rectification of the frontier will be allowed.

M. Politis has accepted the portfolio of Foreign Affairs.

PARIS. Oct. 7,

M. Venizelos, during a consultation with M. Poincare, told the latter that Greece was willing to immediately evacuate Thrace to Maritza, and eventually to the 1914 frontier. M. Venizelos added that Greece would order that no reinforcements be sent to Thrace, but asked that the protection of Allied troops should continue in Thrace for six weeks.