THE STRAITS QUESTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16908, 6 December 1922, Page 7

THE STRAITS QUESTION.

RUSSIAN AND TURKISH VIEWS. By Telegraph— Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association., (Received Decemlier 6, 10.25 a.m.) LAUSANNE, December 5. Following on the Straits debate at the Allied Conference, which revealed complete unity, a Turkish communique lias been issued which states: - We are masters of the Riparian Territory bordering the Straits. The Powers in teresfeed ask lor /ree passage through our possessions. Me await offers and proposal®.” The communique created the impression that the Turks do not desire :o avoid discussions. AT Tchitcherin declared: “Russia i net a conquered nation. The Allies wish to bind us so that others cat arrive with their fleets. We are a nation equal to the others, and should be heard. Instead of that we are before a court which pronounces n sentence, to which we will not, submit. The sole possible solution of the Straits question is the restoration of the system which had existed for centuries. Turkey should be empowered to open the Straits to commerce, and *o possess a fleet and forts in order to be able to close the Straits against warships.”