EASTERN SITUATION.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIII, 3 February 1923, Page 5

EASTERN SITUATION.

Press Assn.—By TeL—Copyright. , ’ PABIS, Fob. 1. A writer in the Paris “Matin” declares, regarding the Lausanne deadlock, that the French view is short-sighted, when it is considered that the unfortunate Entente is- already bo sick that it can hardly survive this latest blow. “Le Petit Parisien” asks point blank if this means the end of the Entente, and if it is wise to make an enemy of Britain when France is in such a critical position In the Ruhr. —A. and N.Z. Cable. CONSTANTINOPLE, Feb. 1. The French proposal to continue negotiations is received with great satisfaction in Turkish official circles, where it is regarded as proof that the Allied front at Lausanne is broken. It is codßlently expected that Britain will thus be isolated, and will be forced to concede the Turkish demands. It is reported that French troops are preparing to evacuate Constantinople in the event of an Anglo-Turkish conflict. It is understood that Greece is conducting conversations with the Little Entente regarding a possible renewal of hostilities. Speeches at a secret session of the National Assembly at Angora were warlike in tone. Chief Rommissar said: “Let us remember that what we did at Afiumkarahissar, we are ready to do again—preserve our independence—if the Allies refuse our just demands.” Kemal, in a speech at Smyrna, said: “We will not rest until we obtain independence. PARIS, Feb. 1.

An important section of the Press does not support France’s attitude at Lausanne, though “Le I Temps” attempts to argue that i the Allies’ wartime undertaking I not to make a separate peace does i not apply, because the GraecoTurkish war in Asia Minor is a separate conflict from the Great War. If one of the Allies finds it well to maintain, despite France, one or two conditions which Turkey refuses to accept, it would be absurd to say that the declaration of September, 1914, would force either Power to leave the Conference and give up the peace they were ready to sign. “Le Journal des Debats” calls the French Note a “supreme fault.” —A. and N.Z. Cable. LAUSANNE, Feb. 1. At a meeting of the Straits Commission, Ismet Pasha asked for the maintenance of a garrison on Gallipoli, and an unlimited force in Thrace. M. Tchitcherin declared that Russia could not accept the convention and desired to suggest modifications for the purpose of new concess’ions to the Soviet. Lord Curzon said the Allies could not reconsider the position. M. Tchitcherin declared that the question of the Dardanelles remained open as far as Russia was concerned, for she refused to sign the convention. PARIS, Feb. 1. The French maintain that the British interpretation of M. Poincare’s communication with Kemal is wholly unjustified. M. Poincare merely urged Kemal to accept the draft Treaty, pointing out that the Allies had made great concessions to the Turks and the Allied patience was becoming exhausted. The Kemalists misunderstood the- dispatch; believing that it implied that they must either accept or reject the Treaty and rejection meant war. The Government ■ thereupon telegraphed to Kemal explaining that rhe Treaty was in no sense an ultimatum. On the contrary, the Allies were willing to consider objections and even counter-pro-'posals. If the Turks wanted longer time in which to decide., the French delegates would stay at Lausanne a few days longer. The Note was communicated to Britain on Saturday. The Press emphasises the fact that M. Poincare’s telegram expressed views completely agree-, ing with the British, and was communicated to Lord Crewe, who thanked M. Poincare. “Le Petit Parisien” says M. Poincare is determined to maintain a united Allied front against the Turks, and will support no separate Treaty or no isolated negotiations with Turkey. M. Pertinax, in the “Echo de Paris,” asks if the Entente Governments fully realise that a rupture on Near East affairs would be a much more serious matter than a rupture on reparations. It would signify the end of all Franco-British co-operation and set France and Britain against each other in the Near East. France’s interest is to associate herself with Britain .-