THE NEAR EAST

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15100, 22 November 1922, Page 7

THE NEAR EAST

LAUSANNE CONFERENCE.

THE PRESIDENCY.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Asse.) •" Received November 22, 12.30 p.m. .LAUSANNE, November 21. The question of the presidency will be- discussed to-day.

Lord Curzon will preside over the first sitting, and it-is expected the presidency will subsequently be held, iU rotation by British, , French, and Italian.

It is understood the Turks prefeif a single president throughout, and if £5 rotation is adopted, they will wish their representative to take the chair.

ITALY’S ATTITUDE

SWORD STILL. IN HAND

MUSSOLINI INTERVIEWED

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received November 22, 12.30 p.m. ZURICH, November 21.

Signor Mussolini’s sword* is still in his baud, according to a Paris covres-: pondent, who interviewed him at Lau-< sanne, where in short, cutting sen-_ tences he announced his immediate intention: “I have not come here merely to discuss the Near East. I want to know exactly what positidq Italy holds in the Entente; whether £ mere servant maid or a great power.”

Questioned regarding the value of the Paris agreement between Lord Curzon and M. Poincare, he replied that it was of no value whatever. The Italian ambassador hacl no power. "I cannot' say whether 1 agree with the memorandum untii I sjge it.” At Territcl Signor Mussolini invited Lord Curzon and M. Poincare into a private room, and turning to the other delegates’ secretaries he dismissed them curtly, saying that they would be summoned when required.