CONFERENCE PROPOSALS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16847, 25 September 1922, Page 4

CONFERENCE PROPOSALS.

VIEWS IN ITALY. THE TURKO-RUSSIAN AGREEMENT. By Tele^ra-pb—Press Association Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. HOME. September 22. The Press is satisfied with the- Pun- - decision-to convene a conference with- . i out delay, but the jjapers are ilot unanimously confident of success I

The ”Messagero” fears that. the Turko-Russiau agreement win vanso surprise and doubts the peaceful in—tentions of the B'lonmw administratinn whom it charges with the responsibility for the boldness of Hl9 Turkish demands.

“ M©ssagero” expects that tka British will soon be compelled to withdraw her troops to the Eastern side of the Dardanelles, from which it will be easier to defend the Straits if they are attacked. A KEMALIST SUGGESTION. SMYRNA AS VENUE OF CONFERENCE. CONSTANTINOPLE, September 23. The Angora Government has suggested Smyrna as the venue for the proposed conference. KEMAL SUSPICIOUS. TIME GAINING DEVICE. LONDON. September 23. j Mr Ward Price telegraphs from Con- J Ftantinople suggesting that unofficial assurances should he given Kemal concerning Thrace and says that Kemal suspects that the present talking is a time gaining device to check him till our military strength is sufficient to repel an attack. EFFECTING AN AHNSiSTiGE. M. POINCARE HOPEFUL. PARIS. Septeml>er *23. AJ. Poincare has informed newspaper men that though accord has not yet been reached in the conversations, he hoped to be able to announce to-mor-row that a formula had been found acceptable to all. If the Allies did not agree on a common policy, each would address a separate Note to the Turks. Ho could give his assurance that such Notes would not be of a threatening character, hut would he couched in the friendliest terms. France would accompany her Note with the most pacific assurances regarding the future. The collective Note, if it were agreed upon would suggest to the belligerents an immediate conference to bring about peace-* The Turks were being invited to a preliminary conference with a view to effecting an armAPPEAL TO MOSLEMS, INTER N ATTON AT- POLICE SUGGESTED. LONDON. September *23. An appeal on behalf of Christians to the Mohammedans of the British Empire. signed by many representatives of labour and religious bodies, urges the speedy formation of a national police force under the League of Nations to deal with the Near Blast. The appeal savs that the force is needed to introduce order in Asia Minor, to protect the Armenians and guard Constantinople. It declares that the Turks intend to prevent an adverse vote in Asia Minor by killing all Armenians. The signatories include the Bishops of Bradford. Cranford. Chelmsford. Lincoln and Manchester. Messrs Hodge. Thomas and Hodges and Dr Jowett. CRISIS BEFORE THE LEAGUE. RESOLUTIONS REFERRED TO COMMITTEE. LONDON, September 23. The Australian Press Association correspondent at Geneva states that a committee of the League of Nations debated three proposals. One was by I)r Nansen requesting the Council of the League to consider what measures could be taken with a view to causing the cessation of hostilities in the Near East by offering the belligerents the League’s good offices. Another bv the Right Hon H. A. Fisher, on behalf of the British Government. was to the effect that the League viewed with dismay the possibility of the prolongation' of war in the Near East hut noted with satisfaction that a conference of the Powers concerned was proposed, and the Count'd of the League would be prepared to render assistance if invited by the nogut i*ting Powers. The third, a resolution by Count Tshii, of Japan, sought to combine the. other two. The resolutions wore eventually' referred to the Drafting Committee. Sir Joseph Cook.'Sir Mark Sheldon, and Mr Justice Rich wore present. Sir Joseph Cook appealed to the Powers fo avail themselves of the machinery of the League to bring about a settle luent, SO VIET TH R E A TENS RUM A NIA. INTENTIONS OF RUSSIA. Australian and N.Z. Cable Asuoclatlon. BUCHAREST, September 22. Four months ago two Russian aviator.*. who flew over Bessarabia dropping leaflets, crashed and were imprisoned. The Soviet did not think ol them until to-day. when it officially demanded their immediate release, alh ging that their imprisonment was a breach of the pact of non-aggression concluded at Genoa, and stated that Russia regarded this as a reason for attack. Rumanian political circles are very disturbed regarding this demand, whinn is a sign that Russia intends, with Kemal, to attack Europe.

PANIC IN CONSTANTINOPLE. NATIVE CHRISTIANS FEAR MASSACRE. KEMALIST OFFICERS IN THRACE. Reuter'* Telegram*. CONSTANTINOPLE, September 23. News of the awful horrors in Smyrna, «\ hicii surpass the worst Armenian massacres under Abdul Hamid, have caused a psjnic among the entire native C hristian population in Constantinople w here it is feared that the departure of the Allied troops will signalise a general exodus. Far-reaching precautions are being taken to preserve order and local ferry boats are ordered to berth before dark. It is reported that many Kemalist officers are being smuggled to Thrace hands against tlua