ASIA MINOR DISASTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18735, 13 December 1922, Page 5

ASIA MINOR DISASTER

GOTJNARIS-GURZON CORRESPONDENCE. MR LLOYD GEORGE EXPLAINS. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright . LONDON, December IL. : Mr Bonar Law, in the House of Conn mons, said that the Gounaris-Curzon correspondence had been circulated to Cabinet, and it was on the files. Mr Lloyd George made a personal explanation. He said that he unreservedly accepted the statement. He added that ' he must suppose that he received it, but,-, he was ill at the time, and afterwards; he was away, which accounted, for the' fact that the letter had comnletely passed; out of his memory. Lord Curzon and he saw M. Gounaris. They stated that there would be no peace until the Greek forces retired froai Smyrna. They also, stated that Lord Curzon’s memorandum, which was being submitted to the Allies involved withdrawal. They urged him most strongly to rdace himself in Lord Curzon’s hands, which M. Gounaris promised to* do. He wished to make that quite clear, in order to show that statements were made bv himself 'and Lord Curzon that Hie Greek forces should withdraw.—A. and N.Z. Cable. STATEMENT IN HOUSE OF LORDS. ' LONDON, December 11.Lord Salisbury, replying to Lord Lincolnshire in the House of Lords, said thatthe Gounaris-Curzon correspondence was circulated to members of the late Cabinet. Lord Birkenhead accepted this statement unreservedly, and expressed regret , to those on whom his. previous speech might have appeared to reflect.—A. and N.Z. Cable.