FUTURE OF GALLIPOLI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18206, 27 September 1922, Page 9

FUTURE OF GALLIPOLI.

BRITAIN'S INTENTIONS. TO REMAIN NEUTRAL GROUND » FRENCH OPINION DUBIOUS. By Telesraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 4.5 pan.) A. and N.Z. LONDON, Sept. 25. Some French newspapers, including Le Journal, state that the opinion is held in • France that Gallipoli io to he given hack * to the Turks. Inquiries .from an authoritative source in London show that fchfs French opinion i» directly contrary to the British interpretation of the terms of the Note to the Angora Government, which suggests that important defence zones m tlie Dardanelles will ho maintained in neutral hands under the League of Nations. The British opinion is that one i of the main purposes of this clause is to preserve the British and Arizac battlefields in Christian hands. Authorities m London pay a tribute to the Marquis Curzon's work in Paris in securin- simultaneously Allied unity and real control of the Straits by an international force controlled by this League of Nations, and also permanent Christian occupation of Gallipoii. MISGIVINGS IN LEAGUE. TURKS' RETURN TO EUROPE. SEED OF FUTURE WAR. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 4.5 p.m.) " LONDON, Sept. 25. The Geneva correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that the Allied Note to the Angora Government caused a profound sensation in League circles. The opinion is generally held that it will be a serious mistake to restore Turkish dominion in Europe and that such action will ultimately lead to renewed collision between the j Turks and certain Balkan States. The Note j is also regarded aa a severe check to the British policy in the Near East. The Political Committee of the League j Assembly agreed to ask the Council to take rteps to promote peace in the Near East without interfering with the pending conference negotiations. This nullifies the proposal that the League should ; intervene, as Mr. W. M. Hughes sugi gested. It also nullifies Mr. H." A. L. Fisher's proposal on behalf of the British Government that the League should intervene only when invited. Sir Joseph Cook and Sir Francis Bell assented with a view to securing unanimity, but Sir Joseph Cook thought the resolution tame and innocuous. CANADA'S POLICY. WATCHFUL WAITING. MORE INFORMATION RECEIVED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Heed. 7.33 p.m.) OTTAWA. Sept. 25. j The attitude of tha Canadian Govern- ! ment appears to be one of watchful waiting pending negotiations between the j Allies and the Turks before taking fur- j tier action. The Prime Minister, Mr. W. L. Mackenzie King** announced that j supplementary information which the j Canadian Cabinet requested from the Eri- j tish Government had been, received and contained additional facts, but he refused to divulge the contents, declaring that they were marked secret. The feeling generally is thai; the Turkish situation will be solved amicably. SOUTH AEBICA'S EEPLY. BRITISH POLICY ENDORSED. INTERVENTION UNNECESSARY. • A. and N.Z- CAPETOWN. Sept. 25. A message from Pretoria states that General Smuts' reply to Mr. Lloyd George expresses regret at the delay owing to his absence, and -proceeds: " ITiere seems to be no longer % call for the active intervention of the Union Government." General Smuts appreciates the determination of the Imperial Government to maintiiin the freedom of the Dardanelles, which wais one of the most beneficial results of the great war, but he most sincerely trusts that military intervention by the Empire will not be necessary. \ " I believe," he adds, " that the mea- j surii3 taken by the Imperial Government to safeguard the position iin the Straits pending the meeting of the coming l conference are adequate, and rejoice at the more favourable turn of events, which is largely due to successful British diplomacy. So far as the Union is concerned we could not undertake to participate in military operations in the East ■without calling Parliament together. I am relieved that more reassuring information now in our possession renders isuch step unnecessary." General Smuts concludes: "In regard to peace in th'< Near East, the Government ventures to express the opinion that the future regime for maintaining the freedom of the Straits should be placed under the League of Nations." General Smuts trusts that such action will be approved by the coming conference. CALL TO VENIZELOS. INVITED TCI RETURN. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (SeocL 13-55 pjn.) PARIS, Sept. 26. The Greek correspondent of the Chicago j Tribune telegraphs that the Greek Cabinet j has invited M. Venizelos to return and j guide the nation in a non-Ministerial j capacity.