NEAR EAST ARMISTICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18224, 18 October 1922, Page 9

NEAR EAST ARMISTICE.

the inner history.

M. BOUILLON'S VERSION. ;FRANCE THE PEACEMAKER, REPLY TO LLOYD GEORGE. Br T»l«*r»Dh —Pre** A»sooiation—Copyright CReceivcd 10.5 t>.ra.) A. and N.H. PARIS. Oct, IS. M. Henri-Franklin-Bouillon, who was the French envoy to the Angora Government, speaking to 75 pressmen representing a score of nations, detailed the inner history of the Mudatra Conference as a means" of replying to Mr. Lloyd George's attacks upon Turkey. He said that the arrest of the Turkish march upon the Straits was not due to British reinforcements, but to the political stgacity of Mustapha Keraal, who wished to show Europe his oesiro for peace and his gratitude for concessions obta'ned by the intercession of France, which had persuaded Britain to promise to restore Eastern Thrace to the Turks. The British measure of force onlv hindered the conclusion of the armistice. For 48 hours the situation at Mndania was tho gravest since 1914. The victorious Turkish Armv was within 25 miles of its capital. Yet it was asked not to advance further. For a while peace was menaced, girr.nlv because the Turks were asked to | abandon the railway station at Admnople i on the pronnd that it was on the other I side of the River Maritza. It was a touch- ! inr moment when General Sir Char'es j Hnrinpton extended his hand across the i table to Ismet Pasha and said: "We came is enemies; we part as friends." "t can imagine General Harinpton's distress." said M. Franklin-Bouillon, "when he reads Mr. Lloyd George's speech."

SIR C. HARINGTON'S PART.

NO FRICTION WITH CABINET. A FREE HAND GIVEN. Australian and N-Z Cftblo Association. CR*od. 10.30 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 16. Mr. Martin Donohoe, the correspondent cf the Daily Chronicle at Coretanb'noole. states that General Sir Charles Harinston, receiving newsnaoer men, emphatically denied the published rumours of friction and discord between himself and the British Cabinet in connection with tho recent crisis. He said that he was a soldier purely and simply, and he regretted that his name had been unjustly coupled with political propaganda. No •oldier in British history had received a greater measure of support from his Government. He was given a free hand, and the Government unhesitatingly backed him throughout. General Haringt-on stated that the evacuation of Thrace would be a difficult task. It was not made easier by unfounded- reports of incendiary outrages by Greeks which the Turks announced, though Allied commissioners on tho spot proved that the tales were untrue. The Greeks were behaving admirably thus far, an<3 were implicitly obeying the instrue-1 tions for peaceful evacuation. j

ANGRY FRENCH COMMENT.

PEACE NOT DUE TO BRITAIN. | Beuter. PAPJS : oct 16 " The newspaper* continue their angry oomments on Mr. Lloyd George's speech. All deny that the maintenance of peac« In the Near East was the result of the British threats to the Turks. They contend that French diplomacy was solely responsible for this. The Figaro declares that never was the truth more audaciously travestied, never has a Minister so greatly slandered an. allied nation. The Matin says that the testimony of General Sir Charles Harington to French co-operation is as precious as Mr. Lloyd George's declarations are valueless. The Journal says: "Our duty is to inform Mr. Lloyd George that if he enters the.Peace Conference in the frame of r.iind he showed at Manchester, he must bear the resjxmsibility for inevitable conflicts."

EVACUATION OF THRACE.

HEAVY TASK FOR GREEKS.

MORE TIME WANTED.

A. and N.Z- CONSTANTINOPLE, Oct. 16.

The Greek High Commissioner informed the Allied High Commissioners that Greece accepts the Mudania Convention ■with reservations that the time limit for the Greek evacuation of Thrace is too short, and the guarantees offered in. return are not sufficient. The evacuation of 350,000 Greeks from Thrace is proving difficult, through lack of transport. Women and children .are obliged to stand or lie on the stations for many hours. General Nider, commanding the Greek Army in Thrace, telegraphed to the Greek Government and General Harington, complaining that the French railway company is not providing sufficient rolling Stock to permit the evacuation being completed in the stipulated period.

GREEKS DEMAND ELECTION.

MACEDONIANS RESTLESS.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Associationf&ecd. 4 3 p.m.) ATHENS, Oct. 16.

The Greek public is demanding immediate elections. A movement for autonomy in Macedonia is spreading throughout Bulgarian, Greek, and Serbian territory.

RELIEF OF REFUGEES.

750,0130 REQUIRE SUCCOUR. Reuter. GENEVA, Oct 18.

Tho vastness of the problems in connection with the relief of refugees in the Near East is emphasised in a telegram *ent by Dr. Nansen from Constantinople to the secretariat of the League of Nations. Dr. Nansen says: "Threequarters of a million refugees from Asia Minor are distributed throughout Greece, Thrace, and the islands. They are mostly women and children, without money, food, shelter, or clothing. Government relief organisations are doing the utmost to cope with urgent necessities, but the organisation of reliaf on a much vaster scale is essential to avert a catastrophe." Dr. Nansen appeals urgently for public funds.