SUCCESS AT MUDANIA.

Southland Times, Issue 19657, 6 October 1922, Page 4

SUCCESS AT MUDANIA.

The success achieved by the conference at Mudania encourages strong hopes that the complications in the Near East are now set fairly on the way to a peaceful solution. In such affairs the initial difficulties are visually the most obstinate, and if the conciliatory disposition of both sides mentioned in the communiques and emphasised in unofficial messages prevails in the subsequent negotiations, something approaching stable conditions should be evolved before this month expires. But a spirit of sweet reasonableness on all hands throughout, the discussions is not, of course, to be counted upon. There are sharply conflicting ■ interests to be reconciled and strong national antipathies to be softened. Still the achievement of agreement at ■’Mudania, though but a beginning, is an encouraging one. The official communiques state that, agreement- was established without difficulty on the majority of the articles constituting the basis of the peace conference to be held later. The problem of Thrace, the most delicate subject before the conference, was reserved for the second meeting of the delegates, after the arrival of the Greek representatives. It, too, seems to have been settled by agreement in the terms of the Allied note, the territory being allotted to Turkey. Constantinople is to be controlled by a joint Turkish and Allied Commission. Thus, all the major questions referred to the conference have been adjusted as the widest interests involved demanded. The Turks are reported

by the latest message to hand from Constantinople, to be retiring from Chanak. The conciliatory bearing and fervent desire for peace exhibited on all sides at the conference provided a more favourable atmosphere than was to have been expected, and it is the best augury for the success of the largs gathering that will settle the final terms of peace. For this the way is now open.