NEAR EAST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 3 April 1923, Page 5

NEAR EAST

REPLY TO TURKEY

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

LONDON, .April 1

The Allied reply to tiro Turkish coun-ter-proposals suggests a proinnt resumption of negotiations. It accepts in principle the proposal to redraft tho clauses relating to the Capitulations, with a view to securing recognition to Turkey of the benefit- of reciprocity so- far as is practicable. It refuses Turkey's request io remove the economic clauses from the Treaty, but expresses the opinion that an agreement could be reached by mutual concessions.

The reply declares that the Allies hove invited their nationals who have acquired interests in Turkey to enter into negotiations directly with tho Turkish Government.

Tn the event of the negotiations resulting successfully, the Allies will not insist on the insertion in the Treaty of their previous detailed provisions, and tiie Note expresses the conviction that with equal goodwill on both sides peace could be concluded without difficulty. LONDON, April 1.

The Allied reply to the Turkish coun-ter-proposals expresses surprise that Ismot should have reopened various questions he accepted as settled at Lausanne and should have raised several entirely new points. Nevertheless,/in an earnest desire, to expedite the conclusion of a just and lasting peace the Allies are ready to discuss Turkey’s counter-proposals on tbe distinct understanding that the economic clauses shall also be. reopened and reconsidered.

TWO BIG FIRES

ATHENS, April 1. A fire destroyed the kitchens and distributing stations on Mauronissi Llnnd, where hospitals and quarantine stations are situated for ten thousand /refugees from Anatolia. Volunteer firemen saved the doctors and nurses.

Greek t roops are ' assisting in rebuilding the premises. A Titlis message states that a fire destroyed one of the largest warehouses of the'Near East relief organisations at, Alexandropole. where sixteen thousand Armenian children were housed. It is the largest orphanage in the world. Several orphanage buildings were endangered, but a bucket brigade of two thousand children was organised by an American nurse and kept hack the flames, assisted by a battalion of Bolshevist soldiers.