TURKISH PERIL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10545, 23 March 1920, Page 6

TURKISH PERIL

TO RESIST TREATY GREEKS READY TO INTERVENE. HEREDITARY ENEMY. By Telegraph—Press Assn.-Copyright Australian and N.Z. fable Association. LONDON, March 19. Tho Australian Press Association learns that Constantinople is trnnquril. Tho city is awed by tho presence of the Allied troops, who are mainly British,' and by tho capture of Djemal, Djovad, and Komal Pashas in addition to other agitators. Immediate danger arises in connection with nationalist outbreaks, which are anticipated in different parts the Empire, particularly in Asia Mnior, similar to that at Adnanople. There is no doifbt that Jaffer Atyiar will thou carry out his intention or establishing an independent Government in order to resist the Treaty, It is probable that the Greeks wall be employed to quell the trouble in Adrianoplo and elsewhere in Thraoe, in accordance with an agreement which is understood to have been reached during the visit of M. Venezelos to London last week. It is known that 90,000 Greek soldiers are in readiness, and although there have been recent pro-Constantine demonstrations, there is little .doubt the troops will prove loyal to the Government when they are faced (by their hereditary enemy. AN ALLIANCE. Reuter’s Telegram. . LONDON, March 20. It is reported that Turkey has concluded an offensive and defensive, alliance with the Republic of Azerbaijan, and that the alliance document has been signed. It provides for reciprocal assistance in the event of a Foreign Power attempting to establish a political, administrative, or economic protectorate over either. Both parties refuse to sign the Peace Treaty or to disarm if the independence ot Turkey is endangered or tho independence of Azerbaijan is not recognised. Turkey will supply munitions of war, and will train Tartar troops. It is noteworthy that Azerbaijan contains, the Baku oilfield. It must not he confused with the Persian province of Azerbaijan. KHALIFATE’S WISHES DELEGATION INTERVIEWS PREMIER. TURKS MUST BE HELD IN CHECK. Imperial News Service. (Received March 22, 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, March 21. A delegation from tbe comerenco held at Calcutta to consider matters relating to the Khalifato waited upon the Prim© Minister at Downing street, and urged the restoration of tho territorial status quo in, Turkey, including the undisturbed presence of the Sulian as Khaiif at Constantinople, and no transference of authority over Moslem holy places. Tho delegation emphasised the desirableness of fostering Indian Moslem friendship. Mr Lloyd George, replying, referred to Turkey’s declaration of war against Great Britain, in the midst of the most terrible struggle in history by which the war was prolonged two years. “We are not going to abandon/’ he said, “in the case of Moslem countries like Turkey, those principles we ruthlessly applied to Christian countries such as Germany and Austria. The same independence will be given to the Mohammedans as to the Christians. The principle of self-doter. mination will he applied to the nonTurkish peoples hitherto under Turkish rule. In the interests of civilisation tho Allies are bound . to exercise control in Armenia, where tho Turks have shown incompetency to protect their own subjects, who are massacred wholesale.” The Premier stressed the fact that Indian Moslem opinion was largely considered in the settlement of the Turkish question INSURRECTION IN TURKEY. (Received March 22, G. 5 p.m.) LONDON, March 21. The Paris' edition of the “Chicago Tribune” publishes an unconfirmed report stating that there is a general insurrection throughout Turkish territory. ■