NEAR EAST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 13 November 1922, Page 5

NEAR EAST

POSITION ST 111 SERIOUS SIEGE OF CONSTANTINOPLE

REPORTED DECISION OF ALLIES

(Bv Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, Nov. 10.

The Cabinet lias reverted to the oil policy of absolute secrecy regarding its deliberations, but it is understood it considered -a despatch from General llarington, also the War and Air Department's reports regarding the Near East situation. If the Turks do' not concede to the Allied demands the High Commissioners are empowered to declare a state of siege in Constantinople, which is a step beyond martial law. It is believed the position is still serious.

MINISTERS REMAIN IN LONDON

(Router's Telegrams)

LONDON, Nov. 12

Ministers remained in liOudon over the weekend in view of the urgency of the Near East situation. Cable communication with Constantinople has been restored. Delayed messages detail frequent meetings beAveeu R-afet and the High Commissioners.

Yielding to the pressure of the Allies the Kemalists reverted to the Customs levies opei'ative before they seized the administration. The situation is still disquieting. \ TARTS. Nov. 10.

Lord Hardinge requested a preliminary conference in Paris before the Lausanne Conference between .M. Poineare. Sigmor Miissolfni, and Lord Ourzon. France is agreeable if the Lausanne conference is nol postponed later than 15th.

PARIS, Nov. 10.

1 \I. Pertinax, writing in the Helm de Paris, says it is desirable to know -whether Frame., by agreeing with Britain on. action in the Levant, can in duce* Britain to agree with rigid, to take direct action in regard to Germany. The Petit Parjsien says thai while the situation at Constantinople is stationary Rafet Pasha is optimistic. British "marines and infantry marched through Pera and Oalata. with fixed bayonets, cheered by the Christian population.

REPLY*TO SOVIET

LONDON. Nov. 11

A joint Allied note replying to the Soviets' demand for representation at the Lausanne Conference was forwarded to-night. The not-e points out that Russia is not affected by the first part of the conference relating to peace conditions following upon war with the Turks, in which Russia did not participate. The Allies have mo objection to the admission of Russia, Georgia, and the Ukraine jointly to the second part relating to the Straits. Official circles in London admit that anxiety over Turkey is not allayed. All available ministers are standing by in London during the weekend. The Evening Standard sa\s the Turks have not defined their intention. It is feared they are concentrating their forces for a coup.

ALLIED DEFENCE SCHEME

PARIS, Nov. 11

Marshal Foch outlined to M. Poincare a scheme for ihe Allied defence of Constantinople in the event of Turkish attacks and uprisings. This is being submitted to Britain and Italy immediately.

The' Echo de Paris reports that the Angora Assembly has thrown over the compromise which reconciled the Nationalists' aims with Allied occupation of Constantinople.

TURKS' INGRATITUDE

BITTERLY RESENTED IN FRANCE

PARIS, Nov. 10,

The rank ingratitude of the Turks is bitterly felt in France, which resents the special hostility in.which the French are apparently held. This is indicated by the closing of 35 French silk factories at Brusa, the seizure of the Mu-dania-Brusa railway, and the imprisonment of the directors.

The change in the situation is reflected in the reports of General Pelle and M. Charpy. These were formerly eonciiiatorv, but now advocate firmness. LONDON, Nov: 10

A telegraph message, from Smyrna says the Turkish peace delegation lias tone to Brindisi, whence it proceeds to -ausanne. 'lsmet Pasha desires !thatnegotiations begin at the earliest possible date.

PAULS, Nov. 10

It is stated in diplomatic circles that Lord Curzon expressed a desire to come to Paris to confer with M. Poincaire. Signor Mussolini regarding the Allied Near Eastern policy.

ITALY IN LINE WITH ALLIES

ROME, Nov. 10,

Signor Mussolini ordered the Italian Ambassador at Constantinople to keep in line with the Allies. He also sent notes to London and Paris stating that lie would regard a preliminary AngloFrench meeting prior to the Lausanne Conference as unfriendly and discourteous.

KEMALISTH IN INTRACTABLE MOOD FRESH DEMANDS ON ALLIES CONSTANTINOPLE, Nov. 10. The Allies High Commissioners handed a Note to the Angora representative, demanding the repeal of all the measures in regard to Customs, Public Debt, Sanitary, ami other services, which conflict with the Capitulations atid I he Stipulations of the Mudris Armistice, otherwise thev will be compelled to refer lo their Governments for necessary action. The High Commissioners also presented a Note to the Kcmalist representative, protesting against the political murder of the Turkish Liberal journalist AH Kemal, whom the Kenialists hanged, which thev are bringing to H»e knowledge of their Governments. Tt is confirmed that n British soldier was murdered in the Knssi Pasha subuib yesterday. . Ismet Pash complained to General Harington in regard to the constant adjournments of the Peace Conference, which, he said, created a very difficult situation. Ismet Pasha, Hamid Bey, the Angora representatives at Constantinople, and

Turkish experts are leaving to-morrow for Lausanne in order to place on record their presence there on the date fixed.

The Allied Generals are meeting Rafet Pasha and submitting minimum demands with a view to (insuring the safety of the troops and the efficient control of police and gendarmerie. The result of the meeting is not yet known, hut there are abundant indications that the Kcmalists are in an intractable mood, as witness the fresh demand for the evacuation of the Allied forces and the withdrawal of warships.

RUSSIAN MILITARY PRE

PAEATIONS

LONDON, Nov. 11

The Times Riga correspondent reports great llussian military preparations in the Caucasus. The' equipping and supplying of munitions for the forces on the Angora frontiers is proceeding steadily.

FRENCH I'OUCY

PAItIS, Nov. 11

M. Poineare, in a crowded .Chamber, outlined the home and foreign policy. Strict economy, repression of all attempts at disorder, and the protection of the right to work made up the home policy. He detailed the Near Eastern negotiations and emphasised that tb« French and Italian detachments we .e withdrawn from Chauak in order to prevent, incidents when the exultant victorious Turkish army arrived, but France never separated herself from her British Allies and had kept troops at Gallipoli and Constantinople. Amid applause he paid a tribute to Lord Curzon's spirit of conciliation and loftiness' of viow. It will never, he said, he France who will destroy the alliance with Britain, which was so precious 10 both countries and to humanity.

SITUATION CRITICAL

ATHENS, Nov. 11

General Harington's despatch to the Cabinet reveals that" the Turkish situation is critical.