PEACE IN NEAR EAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18388, 2 May 1923, Page 9

PEACE IN NEAR EAST.

OPTIMISTIC OPINIONS.

TURKS ANXIOUS FOR PEACE.

THREATS DISCOUNTED.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright A. and N.Z. LONDON. April 30. General Pelle, a member of the French delegation at the . Lausanne Conference, who has returned to Paris to consult M. Poincare, interviewed by the Matin, expressed confidence in the successful conclusion of the Lausanne Conference. Ismet Pasha, he said, repeatedly expressed his desire to see the Franco-Turkish misunderstandings dispelled. Unfortunately, Kemal's views were different, but General Pelle did not believe that his threatening gestures and references to France need cause uneasiness. He was convinced that the Angora Government was aware of the hazards involved in the resumption .of hostilities. . _ According to an Athens message General Cladas, who has returned after being a prisoner of war in Turkey ever since tho disastrous Anatolian campaign, declares that the Turkish .army is in a lamentable state, being miserably equipped and poorly fed. He says that the Turks are anxious for peace. ; The war party in the last Angora Assembly only numbered 60,. and the dissolution was primarily due to ! Kemal's desire to paralyse the war party's efforts.

General Cladas states that Kemal is confident that the electoss will vote for peace. ;,-. The"; Russian '.'; Soviet : Government is assisting the Turkish army with. foodstuffs by way of the Caucasus. ■.