THE STRAITS PROBLEM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16920, 20 December 1922, Page 5

THE STRAITS PROBLEM.

SPARRING AT LAUSANNE. By Telegraph—Pre*» A seoniatrion—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LAUSANNE, December 18. There were lively at the sitting of the Straits Commission. The Russians, under the pretext of exclusion from the experts’ work, unexpect-

edly submitted proposals embodying M. Tchitcherin’s previously announced views, and demanding that they form the basis of discussion. M. Tehitcherin declared that the A) lied plan was solely directed against Russia, and rendered peace illusory. Lord Curzon. who was supported by M. Rarrere (France) and Signor Garroni (LtalyJ. formally refused the Russian demand. He declared that the dilatoriness of the Russians and Turks was intolerable, and was delaying the conference indefinitely. Following a debate early in the month on the Straits question, M. Tehitcherin, the Russian delegate to the conference, declared: —“ Russia is not a conquered nation. The Allies wish to hind us so that others can arrive with their fleets. We are a. nation equal to the others, and should he heard. Instead of that we are before a court which pronounces a sen tenet*, to which wo will not submit. The sole possible solution of the Straits question is the restoration of the system which has existed for centuries. 'I urkey should lx* empowered to open the Htraits to commerce, and to possess a fleet and forts in order to be able to close the Straits against warchips.”