New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-22
TURKS AGAIN PROCURE
DELAY IN CONFERENCE
Say They viii Treat with Greece
Only on Condition Adri-
anopIe Be ReviCtualIed.
-ONG, IMPORTANT SESSION
Bulgarian Delegate Counters
Before Adjournment with
Solid Arguments Against
Ottoman Proposition.

London. Dec. 21.-Turkey is playing
the old game of delay. and has caused
vet another postponement IF the peace
conference. which adjourned TO Monday
after a brief and fruitless session this
afternoon. It is evident that the Turk
ish delegates are trying to gain the
right to provision Adrianople by con-
senting to include Greece in the con-
ference. The allies are anxious TO pro-
ceed with the negotiations and have
openly limited that these delays must
come to an end.
To-day's sitting was the longest and
most important since the beginning Of
the conference. as IT was the first time
the opposite parties had come into a
serious engagement, which is prelimi-
nary TO the crucial question over the
ossession Of Adrianople.
The Montenegrin ex-Premier. Mi
yIskavich, who presided, seemed, on
account Of his rather severe and i'm
rerious aspect, to be the best president
for the occasion of q stormy sitting.
When the president asked Rechad
Pacha to communicate in confidence
the answer which he had received from
Constantinople there was q moment Of
breathless silence.
Rechad Pacha's instructions.
Rechad Pacha rose and outlined the
instructions he had received to the eff
feet that Turkey should not treat with
Greece, as the latter state had put her
self out of the negotiations by refusing
to adhere to the armistice. But, he
added wishing TO show a lenient spirit
and a conciliatory disposition, and also
out Of regard for Europe, which was
making such efforts for the mainten-
ance Of peace, Turkey was willing to
treat. on condition that the allies in
return granted the privileges Of re-
victualling Adrianople.
This, he pointed out was simply a
humanitarian request, as, besides the
belligcrents, there were more than one
hundred and fifty thousand people suf-
fcring from lack Of food. Revictualling
this fortress, he argued. would not !
change the situation as it was when |
the armistice was concluded. at which !
time the Bulgarians declared they !
could sieze Adrianople whenever they |
wished or force Tchataldja.
Rechad Pacha's statement caused a !
great sensation and the Balkan dele !
gates exchanged impressions in whis-
pers among themselves.
Humanitarian View Urged.
The head Of the Turkish delegation |
continued TO illustrate the Ottoman |
point Of view. which aimed TO limit as
much as possible the disasters and suf- |
ferngs from the war by supplying TO |
Adrianople what was strictly necessary /
10 sustain life. The conference would /
then be able TO proceed with its work, |
starving while the delegates were ne
sotiating
Dr. Daneff. the chief Bulgarian pleni !
potentiary. eloquently countered with |
solid arguments against Turkeys prop /
osition. He recalled that the armistice /
was an accomplished fact and was so /
well defined that the delegates lacked /
The power 10 change il. their mission |
being circumscribed 10 the conclusion |
Of peace. With reference to peace, he !
said there was no limit TO their pow !
trs. but their credentials did not
authorize them to deal with incidents !
either already solved or outside the
mission which brought them 10 Lon
don.
Osman Nazimi Pacha continued the
argument for Turkey. citing numerous
historical occasions when similar con-
eessions were made.
Greek Premier Protests.
The Greek Premier. NJ. Venizelos. as
serted that serious damage would re-
suit TO the allies II the towns were re-
'lctualled. The balance Of forces on
me opposite sides would be changed
N favor Of the besieged, besides giving
'he opponents of the allies an oppor-
UNITY to procrastinate as long as there
was no fear Of the capituation Of the
besieged towns.
Inc Servian delegate, NJ. Novakovich
SAID That the Turkish request was quite
unacceptable as it entirely modified
oie base on which the armistice was
founded
hechad Pacha retorted insisting that
we proposal was already made, which
was received with further opposition.
Twice the delegates left their places
ano gathered In groups TO see If any
'hoous vivendi were possible between
ue extreme views, but in vain. Finally
we ottoman delegates proposed that
NC sitting be adjourned until Monday
y enable each delegation TO ask for
nesh Instructions from the home gov
ernment.
me Balkan delegates dined tonight
he Russian Embassy. Amid great
'hus'asm they pledged each other to
'0ssla and sent message 10 the Rus
shn Emperor.