THE CONFERENCE

Southland Times, Issue 19655, 4 October 1922, Page 5

THE CONFERENCE

MATTERS FOR DECISION EASTERN THRACE QUESTION TURKISH INFANTRY IN NEUTRAL ZONE The Mudania Conference will consider guarantees regarding the neutral zones and the demarcation and temporary administra- y tion of Eastern Thrace. It is ’ stated that Britain will propose that an inter-Allied Commission shall control Eastern Thrace during the peace negotiations, the Turks thereafter taking over the Government 1 as promised. It is reported that small detachments of Turkish infantry have made their appearance in the neutral zone near Chanak. MUDANIA CONFERENCE DIFFICULTIES TO BE OVERCOME HEADS OF DISCUSSION (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright). (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, October 2. The Mudania Conference will consider (1) guarantees regarding the neutral zones (2) the demarcation of Eastern Thrace, presumably the Maritza Valley line; (3) temporary administration. Thrace will probably be divided into sectors under British, French and Italian officials. Official circles believe that the decision to hold the conference at Mudania is a high tribute to the tact and patience of General Sir Charles Harington, Sir Horace Rumbold, British High Commissioner, and Admiral Brock. Nevertheless they point out that many difficulties will still be encountered if the British policy adhers unswervingly to the Paris note, which entails not only tfie withdrawal of the Turks from the neutral zones, but also the withdrawal of the Greeks to the Maritza line, in Eastern Thrace. The latter is regarded as being equally as difficult to bring about as the former, in view of the fact that the revolutionaries’ rallying point is the defence of Thrace. THE ANGORA NOTE ACCEPTANCE URGED BY ITALY PARIS, October 2. M. Poincare communicated the Angora note to Britain. Italy urge§ the acceptableness of the Turkish demands. The press generally welcomes the improved outlook in the Near East crisis as a triumph for Anglo-French diplomacy. The Echo de Paris says it would be foolish to be over optimistic, because while the situation at Chanak has been eased, the straits question is still unsettled. THE TURKISH REPRESENTATIVE ALLIED MISSION TO THRACE CONSTANTINOPLE, October 2. Ismet Pasha, commander on the Western Front, will represent Turkey at the Mudania Conference. The Allied mission to Thrace will consist of the French staff for Adrianople, the Italian staff for Lule Burgas, and the British staff for Rodosto. The mission's object. is to ensure the protection of the population and the maintenance of order. EASTERN THRACE. THE BRITISH PROPOSALS. TURKISH INFANTRY IN NEUTRAL ZONE. (United Service.) LONDON, October 2. ffteceived October 3, 8.10 p.m.) Mr Ward Price, who is at Constantinople, says Sir Charles Harington and his colleagues will propose at the Mudania conference that Eastern Thrace be controlled by an inter-Allied Commission during the peace negotiations. When these are satisfactorily completed the Turks, | as promised, will take over the government of the whole of Eastern Thrace, including Adrianople. The Turkish frontiers in Europe will then be approximately the same as in 1914. Turkish infantry have now appeared in the neutral zone at Burgaskoi and Kusukoi, but Karaubigha has been evacuated. INVADING DETACHMENTS SMALL. (Reuter’s Telegrams.) LONDON, October 2. (Received October 3, 8.10 p.m.) The presence of small Turkish infantry detachments is reported near Chanak. % " KEMAL’S ACTIONS. $ ■. ENDORSE BY ANGORA ASSEMBLY. LONDON, October 2. (Received October 3, 8.10 p.m.) The zlngora Assembly unanimously approved of Kemal’s action and authorised the despatch of delegates to Mudania and the peace conference. WESTERN THRACE KEMAL TO PROPOSE A PLEBISCITE BELGRADE, October 3. (Received October 3, 8.40 p.m.) It is reported that Kemal at the peace conference intends to demand a plebiscite of Western Thrace. AMERICAN DESTROYERS EN ROUTE TO THE BOSPHORUS NEW YORK, October 2. A message from Norfolk, Virginia, states that’ twelve United States destroyers have sailed for the Bosphorus. THE REVOLUTIO NiN GREECE. DEPARTURE OF .CONSTANTINE. A FRIGID SEND OFF. (Reuter's Telegrams) ATHENS, October 2. There was no |>opular demonstration of sympathy for Constantine, who has departed in the steamer Andros, escorted by the torpedo boat. Pergamos. There were some emotional scenes at the quay, where King George bade farewell to his parents. Before leaving for Sicily with his wife and brothers, Constantine asked the Revolutionary Committee for a. written declaration to the effect that his departure frt>m Greece would only be temporary. This was refused, the Committee granted him £5OOO for expenses of the journey. M. Politis refused the portfolio of Foreign Affairs expressing the opinion that the new Cabinet sliould be colourless. M. Diomedes refused the .Finance Ministry for a similar reason. It has been decided to send Greek politicians recently arrested by the Revolutionary Committee to an island selected by themselves pending trial. An English financial group has offered Greece a loan of £BS,(MX).

M. VENIZELOS. LONDON, October 2,. (Received Octobejr 3, 8.10 p.fti.) M. Venizelos spent the day interviewing Lord Curzon and other prominent men in order to inform, himself of British views. He will see M. Poincare to-morrow at Paris. KING PRACTICALLY A PRISONER NEW REGIME IN TROUBLE BELGRADE, October 3. (Received October 3, p.m.) It is reported from Greece that the new King is practically a prisoner in the Palace. The Venizelists refuse to participate in the revolutionary administration, and will only accept a legally elected Government. The troops are refusing to obey the Revolutionary Committee. FREEBOM OF THE STRAITS. ANOTHER' SOVIET NOTE. PROTEST AGAINST ALLEGED BLOCKADE. I LONDON, October 2. ’ I The Soviet has sent another note Io : Britain strongly protesting against the ; blockade of the straits, and pointing out j that Russia in order to accomplish her re- ! construction, placed numerous orders for goods, most of which would be forwarded through the strhits, The Powers which refused to renew normal economic relations were thus preventing the carrying out by her own efforts the work of reconstruction. , The blockade, it says, is new proof that the Powers for whom the navigation of the Black Sea is not vital would always be able to threaten the peaceful, economic life of the states bordering on the Black Sea. The liberty of the straits, in the name of which Europe was again preparing to spill blood, merely signified the liberty of the Entente Powers to blockade the' straits under any pretext. Russia supports liberty to merchant vessels, which would completely free the straits from foreign naval forces and insists on the raising of the blockade. It is semi officially stated that nothing is known of the alleged blockade. RUSSIAN CO-OPERATION WITH TURKEY. CONCENTRATION IN CAUCASUS. HELSINGFORS, October 2. The Soviet has intimated tu the Angora Government, her willingness to protect Turkish interests. Russian troops are now concentrating in Caucasia, with advance diAdsions at Batum. RUSSO-TURKISH NEGOTIATIONS.

BERLIN. October 2. (Received October 3, 8.10 p.m.) Kemal’s emissaries are busy conferring with the Soviet representatives, notably with regard to the effect of ratification of the Urquhart-Krasein agreement on RussoTurkish relations. The supporters of the agreement contend that ratification will tend to good relations between Britain' Russia and Turkey. OTTOMAN ROYALTIES. DEPARTURE FROM CONSTANTINOPLE MALTA, October 2. Princes and princesses of the Ottoman royal family who have arrived from Constantinople have departed for Naples. AMERICAN INFLUENCE. AN APPEAL FOR HUMANITY. ARMED LNTERVENTION NOT JUSTIFIED. WASHINGTON. October 2. (Received October 3, 7.30 p.m.) It is understood representatives on behalf of the United States have forwarded to the Turks, Greeks, and other Powers interested an appeal for humanitarianism. The communication suggests the immediate cessation of hostilities, and the taking of steps leading to the protection of all minorities and permanent, peace. It. is belie veil that M. Bouillon, the Allied Commissioner to Kemal, delivered the communication to the Turks. Mr Hughes, replying to an appeal by Bishop Cannon, of Virginia, who is now in Paris, after personal investigation in the Near East, that the United States should use armed forces to help the Allied nations to settle the Near East situation, said: “We have done all possible to relieve the refugees, and have also exerted an influence against cruelty and oppression. We are keenly alive to every humanitarian interest. The United States has not. failed in any way to make the sentiment of the American people understood and to take every appropriate action. We have taken meaj sures to protect American interests. The j Government is not. authorised to go beyond this. There has been no action via Congress justifying an attempt to use armed forces to pacify the Near East nor accomplish the results desired concerning the inhabitants of Asia Minor.” THE BRITISH LIBERALS. AGAINST A NEW WAR JjONDON, October 3. (Received October 3, 8.40 p.m.) The Liberal leaders, including Mr Asquith, Lord Grey, Lord Crewe and Sir Donald Maclean, have publicly made a statement that the party, is in opposition to a new war being declared. The only possible British policy is the solidarity of the Allies. SYRIA AND ANGORA. j A* CUSTOMS AGREEMENT DAMASCUS, October 3. (Received October 3, 8.41) p.m.) The Syrian High Commissioner at Beirut signed a Customs agreement with representatives of Angora, which is designed to reopen relations between Syria and Anatolia.