SUPREME COUNCIL'S DILEMMA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3442, 2 March 1920, Page 20

SUPREME COUNCIL'S DILEMMA.

MEETINGS OF PROTEST. LONDON, February 21. The Supreme Council continued the discussion of peace with Turkey, but there ireason to believe that the Bolshevist question was also debated, and the dilemma remains unaltered. The British and Italian Governments wish to establish direct relations with the Soviet Government through the Russian Co-operative Trade Associations, but France is uncompromisingly hostile. . - Members of the conference are somewhat perturbed at the growing disquietude in the country regarding the decision to maintain the Turks at Constantinople. The Times in a leader says: "Public opinion will not tolerate a decision to allow the Turks to remain. The British and Australians, bearing the great brunt of the fighting, leading to the final overthrow of the Turks, have a right to be consulted. Unless the Supreme Council tells the Turks to depart to Asia, and unless the council internationalise Constantinople, the Great War will have been fought in vain, and the tragedy of Gallipoli will have become more sombre than ever." The Daily Mail understands that the Cabinet cleavage over Turkey does not follow party lines. f 'Earl Curzon, ; ' it says, "wearing Gladstone's mantle, is a vigorous exponent of the bag and baggage policy. Although a warm friend of the Mussulman when he was Viceroy of India, he has always consistently held that the Turks must not rule in Europe. Mr E. S. Montague leads those holding opposite views, and is receiving his chief backing from the Unionists." Meetings of protest against the Supreme Council's decision are being arranged,, at which well-known statesmen will give addresses.