GRAVE SITUATION

Southland Times, Issue 19658, 7 October 1922, Page 5

GRAVE SITUATION

MUDANIA CONFEBENCE SUSPENDED NO AGREEMENT REACHED I SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES AT EVERY TURN OMINOUS MOVEMENTS REPORTED No agreement, or even the principle of one, has been reached by the Mudania Conference, which has been suspended to enable the Allied delegates to consult their respective High Commissioners and the Greeks to confer with the Athens Government. The British official information is scanty and far.from reassuring. St appears that serious difficulties were encountered at every turn on all the major subjects of discussion, rendering the discussions so far abortive, it is reported from Athens that a Greek Gover-nor-Genera! of Thrace has been appointed, and from Constantinople that Greek troops have sailed for Adrianople. The Turkish withdrawal at Ciianak was only partial, and Kemal’s concentration continues.

PROCEEDINGS AT MUDANIA. NEWS LESS SATISFACTORY TURKISH OBJECTIONS TO THE PROTOCOL PROCEEDINGS AT MUDANIA (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright). (Reuter’s Telegrams.) LONDON, October 5. A communique states that the Turks are objecting to clauses in the protocol. The Allies are conciliatory and endeavouring to find a formula. The Cabinet was hurriedly summoned at midnight on receipt of less satisfactory news from Mudania. Official circles have not yet received any news of the terms agreed upon at Mudania, and scout as being most improbable a sensational Paris report that the Allies threatened to blocade Greece unless the Greeks withdrew from Thrace within ten days, and that Britain has undertaken to withdraw from the Chanak zone and cross to Gallipoli. They point out that the military conference at Mudania is not empowered to take such political action. CONCESSIONS TO THE TURKS GENERAL WISH FOR SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE WITH GREEK DELEGATES (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) CONSTANTINOPLE, October 5. A French communique dealing with the Mudania conference says that Ismet Pasha has raised fairly categorical objections to certain points, which the Allied Generals are examining. There is a common wish to arrive at a settlement, keeping Turkish interests especially in view, and endeavouring to reconcile them with the minimum indispensable guarantees. The Allied generals also conferred with the Greek delegates, and it is hoped to reach a final settlement to-morrow. A British communique states that the Allied delegates readily assented to several objections raised by Ismet Pasha, but there are still a few points unsettled. The reply by the Angora Government regarding the peace conference was received. It suggests that the conference be held at Smyrna on October 20, and requests the inclusion of Russia, the Ukraine and Georgia. A British headquarters message reports the appearance of Kemalist cavalry at Kandra, in the Constantinople neutral zone. DISPOSAL OF THRACE BITTER RESENTMENT IN GREECE WAR SPIRIT REVIVING ATHENS, October 5. The decisions of the Mudania Conference were taken in hot haste, before the arrival of the Greek delegates, and caused a keen and painful impression. The newspapers declare that the question of the administration of Thrace proves the bankruptcy of European Christianity. The Hestia says that the return of the Turks to Europe constitutes treason and betrayal, and the handing over of Thrace means not sovereignty but massacre and extermination. The newspaper appeals to the Christians of America. Men of all classes and ages are crowding the recruiting offices and volunteering to fight in Thrace. It is understood that while the Government will not consent to evacuate Thrace, it would accept a temporary administration by an Allied Commission. ALLIES’ DRAFT PROTOCOL THE TRANSFER OF THRACE ARRANGEMENTS FOR TURKISH REOCCUPATION PROCLAMATION BY KEMAL LONDON, October 5. (Received October 6. 7.30 p.m.) A Constantinople communique states that Sir Charles Harington presented the protocol agreed upon by the Allies at the opening discussions of the Mudania Conference. ismet Pasha urged that when Turkish authority was reinstated in Thrace Allied control should be withdrawn as soon as possible. It was agreed that the reinstallation of Turkish authority would take at least one month. Ismet Pasha proposed that an Allied covering force should remain on the Maritza river till the completion of the Turkish re-occupation. He urged the establishment of a neutral zone west of the Maritza. His draft of these proposals is being studied to-day. He expressed his willingness to meet the Greek general. In view of I he general agreement between the Allreti and Turkish delegates, it is felt that the question of peace now lies with the Athens Government. The Morning Post’s Constantinople correspondent states that Kemal Pasha, in a message to the population of Constantinople, declares: “The day of a peace corresponding with our national aspirations is near. Now everything devolves on arms. The whole world is on our side. The sane section of British opinion is on our side, and. even certain Western statesmen, formerly misguided, are on our side.” The last sentence is in reference to the new tendencies of British diplomacy. MANY DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED. TURKS RAISING FORBIDDEN SUBJECT'S. FRENCH AGENT CRTIICTSED. LONDON, October 6. (Received October 7, 12.20 a.m.) The scanty British official information is the reverse of sanguine, and is a flat oontridiction to semi-official statements from non-Brit-ish sources. It is stated that

Downing Street after the Cabinet meeting said difficulties, many of them serious, were encountered at every turn at Wednesday’s conference, which adjourned without any agreement or even principle of agreement being reached. The Daily Chronicle says that instead of keeping strictly to military matters as was intended, the Turks are raising political and diplomatic questions which belong exclusively to the Peace Conference. It states that it is M. Bouillon who is instigating and encouraging the Turks to discuss these matters. His views are known to be extremely unpalatable to the British. It is not unlikely that the British Government will be moved to issue a protest against the activities of this agent from Paris. The Daily Telegraph says the British Government is still determined not to evacuate Chanak or allow Kemalists to take over Thrace until peace is finally concluded. M. Bouillon told the Allied High Commissioner at Constantinople that the Turks would not evacuate the neutral zone unless the British evacuate Chanak. The Daily Telegraph also raises the question of M. Bouillon’s status and activities. On the other hand a Parts message suggests that Downing Street is unduly hampering Sii- Charles Harington by instructions with which he particularly disagrees. Diplomatists profess not to understand the halt in the negotiations, saying that General Charpy, who possesses unfettered authority, is practically in agreement with Sir Charles Harington. It is stated that fresh Greek intrigues are developing. GREEK CONSULTING ATHENS GOVERNMENT. LONDON. October 6. (Received October 7, 1.5 a.m.) The Exchange Telegraph Agency says the Mudania Conference was suspended because the Greeks wanted to consult the Athens Government. GREECE AND THRACE . GOVERNOR-GENERAL APPOINTED. ATHENS, October 6. (Received October 7. 1.5 am.) .A semi-official message states that General Nider has been appointed GovernorGeneral of Thrace. GREEK TROOPS FOR ADRIANOPLE CONSTANTINOPLE, October 6. (Received October 7, 1.5 am.) Two Greek troop trains left Salonika for Adrianople. ANGORA GOVERNMENT’S REPLY A CONCILIATORY NOTE. AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE. PEACE CONF'ERENGFi SUGGESTIONS. (Reuter's Telegrams.) IXJNDON, October 5. (Received October 6, 7.30 p.m.) A summary of the Angora Government’s reply to the Allied invitation has been received by the Foreign office. It states that the Angora Government appreciates the desire for a just and durable peace. The Mudanin meeting will deal with the Angora Government’s viewpoint regarding the present military situation, and its decisions will be completely executed. As regards the Peace Conference, the Angora Government accepts the invitation as previously cabled, and thanks the Allies for recognising Turkish rights in Thrace. It. declares that there is no disagreementin principle regarding the freedom of the straits to secure the safety of Constantinople and the Sea of Marmora, and the safeguarding of minorities within limits compatible either with the independent sovereignty of Turkey or the exigencies of an effective settlement in the Near East. The reply points o-ut that apart, from the four Great Powers and Greece two other states were invited, presumably because they were interested in certain questions to be settled, but the only important question of this kind is the control of the straits. Therefore it is surprised that Russia, the Ukraine and Georgia were not invited, since they are deeply interested and their participation and help would make the settlement more lasting. The Government promises to communicate its reply later regarding memberahip of the League and welcomes the renewed assurance regarding the evacuation of Constantinople by the Allied troops. It is convinced that the Allies ap[>reciate the impatience with which die Angora Government awaits the realisation of this. It. states that, the Angora Government is impressed by the appeal with which the Allied note concludes, and assures the Allies of Angora’s loyal and sincere assistance in re-establishing and maintaining peace. The Angora Government’s propxjsal that the Peace Conference be held at Smyrna is not. favoured in authoritative circles in Ijondon owing to the remoteness from the Allied capitals and the probable lack of accommodation facilities for communication. It is noteworthy that the Latter disadvantage is being felt in connection with the Mudania Conference. The Cabinet to-night had to adjourn in consequence of the non-receipt of details of yesterday’s session. Thus there is at present no indication whether a satisfactory solution was reached to-day, but this is not anticipated, since, as an authoritative statement says, the discussions are beset- with difficulties owing to the great divergency of the interests at stake. A later message states that the Allied generals have returned to Constantinople to consult with the High Commissioners. They will afterwards return to Mudania.

POSITION AT CHANAK TURKISH WITTIDRAWAL ONLY PARTIAL. CONCENTRATION STILL PROCEEDING LONDON, October 5. (Received October 6, 10.40 p.m.) Mr Martin Donohoe, telegraphing from Constantinople, states that. Kemal’s promise withdraw 1000 yards from the British front line has been only partly observed. The cavalry has fallen back on two sectors, but on the third the Turks are still within 3DO yards of the British wire. Kemal’s concentration continues. The British arc now in touch with infantry detachments of his second army, which defeated the Greeks. The Kemalist artillery is a considerable distance away owing to the main roads having been torn up by the British, and the Turkish reliance on bullock transport makes the forward march slow and difficult. The coasts roads on the British flanks aro under naval observation. If .Kemal’s'guns show up they will certainly receive a peppering from the warships. SOVIET PREPARATIONS. BLACK SKA NAVAL MOBILISATION A NONDESCRIPT FLEET. (The Times). BERLIN, October 6. (Received October 7, 1.5 a.m.) The Military Council of the Soviet Republic decided immediately to mobilise the Black Sea naval forces. The commander-in-chief suspended all leave. Destroyers and auxiliary vessels are rapidly being put in condition at Nikolaievsk and Sebastapol. Despite the efforts of the Bolsheviks to trim the fleet, however, they have not much improved its strength and efficiency. Except the cruiser Makhimoff, vessels are out of date. The submarine flotilla, which now includes submarines recently despatched from the Finnish Gulf, is,in better condition. The rest of the craft making up the Black Sea fleet consist of conurfercial vessels and transports armed with light guns and machine guns. REVOLUTION IN GREECE. THE ROYALISTS LIKELY TO GO TO AMERICA ROME, October 5. (Received October 6, 7.30 p.m.) Failing to tind accommodation in Palermo, Constantine and his family are expected to leave, probably for New York. PROPAGANDA IN INDIA. APPEAL FOR LEGIONARIES DELHI, October 5. An extremist paper in Allahabad is appealing for the enlistment of a Legion to assist the Turkish Nationalists in the struggle with the Greeks. Strong feeling is existent against allowing the paper to disseminate what is regarded as dangerous propaganda.