PLAN TO PRESERVE PEACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18216, 9 October 1922, Page 7

PLAN TO PRESERVE PEACE

NEW OFFER THE TURKS. ALLIED CONTROL FOR MONTH. GREEKS TO LEAVE AT ONCE. ANGLO-FRENCH AGREEMENT. By Telesrvsh—Pross Association—CopTricht. A. and N.Z. (Received 4.5 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 7. Art agreement, which, it is expected, will enable the conference between the Allied and Turkish generals at Mudania to be resumed, was reached to-day by M. Poincare and the Marquis Curzon. Lord Curzon went hastily to Paris to consult the French Government in consequence of a report having been received by the British Cabinet from General Sir Charles Harington that the Turkish representatives at Mudania were asking for terms far beyond those conceded in the Allied Note t-o the Angora Government, thereby creating a complete deadlock. Tho agreement is subject to confirmation by the respective Cabinets, but the French Cabinet has already approved it, and its main outlines were communicated to pressmen by M. Poincare, who said that he could announce, with Lord Curzon's authority, even before receiving the British Cabinet's reply, that an agreement had been reached, as there was every reason to think the British reply would be favourable. Instructions had been sent to the Allied generals at Mudania authorising them to negotiate ou the following basis: — Immediate evacuation of Eastern Thrace to the Maritza frontier by Greek troops under control of Allied contingents, which, during the next month, .would supervise the Greek evacuation and the reestablishment of Turkish gendarmerie .and civil administration. The Allied contingents would have the duty of preventing disorders and protecting the lives and property of both Greeks and Mahommedans, and would in turn evacuate Thrace, which would not, however, be definitely restored to the Turks until after the signing of the peace treaty. By these means it was certain that the Turks would receive satisfaction. . / In order to prevent new inadmiss ' Turkish demands, about eight French battalions would remain during the peace conference, half at Chataldja and half on the western bank of the Maritza. The Greeks, added M. Poincare, had signified their adherence to the formula drawn up, and an early agreement at Mudania might be expected. The neutral zones would be slightly modified. British troops would remain at Chanak, the Turks withdrawing to a convenient distance. After communicating the formula to [London, Lord Curzon and M. Poincare discussed a reply to the Angora Government's Note on the proposed petace conference. It is understood that there will probably be two conferences. The first will be held at Scutari or on one of the Princes Islands in the Sea of Marmora, between November 1 and 10, to settle the peace terms and proclaim the principle of the freedom of the Straits. The second, to be held under the auspices of the League of Nations, will Mettle the regime governing the freedom of the Straits. To this Bussia will probably be invited on a similar footing to other interested nations. It is semi-officially stated in London that the basis of the Paris discussion was a moderate statesmanlike proposal by M. Venizelos for the Greek evacuation of Thrace, subject ito the Allies guaranteeing protection of the population. In Paris it is reported that M. Venizelos, during a consultation ■with M. Poincare, told him that Greece was willing immediately to evacuate Thrace to the Maritza frontier, and eventually to the 1914 frontier. M. Venizelos added that Greece would order that no reinforcements be sent to Thrace, but he asked that tho protection of Allied troops should continue in Thrace for six weeks.