NEAR EAST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 14 October 1922, Page 5

NEAR EAST

THE EAST CONFERENCE TURKS AS CONQUERORS (By Electric Telegrapn.—Copyright.) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Oct. 12. 'ilic Morning Post’s Constantinople correspondent forecasts that Turkey will regard the Peace Conference not as following I heir defeat in the world war biu their own successful war of liberation, and will approach the Conference with the intention! of establishing Turkey as a fully independent nation on an equal basis with other nations, unhampered by capitulations and other special restrictions. They will probably accompany its demand with the sword brandishing as at Mudania, whence arises their desire that the Conference should meet on Kcmalist territory. TURKS WELCOME AGREEMENT CONSTANTINOPLE, Oct. 12. The Turkish quarters are beflagged, nfost of the Inhabitants welcoming the agreement, if only because a rupture with Britain was avoided. The Turkish forces have withdrawn from Ghehzeh, but there is still mo backward move from Ohanak. The newspaper Vnkit describes the agreement as nob only an armistice but a peace preliminary which satisfied most, of our aspirations blood lessly. It hopes the same goodwill will be shown :i the Peace Conference. GREECE TO SIGN PROTOCOL PARIS, Oct. 12. It is authoritatively stated that tins Greek Government’s authorisation for the signature of the Mudania protocol reached General Magarakis after iho conference dispersed, the Greek Government intimated willingness to ratify the agreement within three days. ‘•AN UNAVOIDABLE EVIL” "ATHENS, Oct. 12. News of the signature of the agreement was received with resignation as an unavoidable evil. , / STATEMENT’ BY M. POINCARE PARIS, Oct. 13. Reopening the. Chamber M. Pomcaro, replying to critics of Franco’s Near Eastern policy, explained that troops were sent to Chanak without his being consulted, and later, after consulting Marshal Foch and sending an ultimatum to Britain, that the sole object of the decision was to avow a conflict with the Turks. These troops were in danger, and tlie first shot would cause a. general war. To avoid this a general withdrawal was ordered. M. Poincare’s

statement was loudly cheered. GENEVA, Oct. 12.

Dr Nansen, tlio League of Nations’ refugee commissioner, meets Kexnal within a few days to discufes the whole question of refugees from Asia Minor. Dr Nansen subsequently confers with the Greek Government.