The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-21

Although M Briatd does not regard ths 1 F per cent tax upon the. value of Ger man goods sent abroad as an export | duty, because 1t may be paid from iii- | ternai or any other revenue, yet in view l of American criticism, that clause may be modified if another suitable stand- ara to meet Germany's expanding pros-
 perity can be found. Exports, within M. Briand's definition of the word, were se- lected simply as variable national earn ings.
 NEAR EAST FIRST
 German reparations will not be consd-
 cred formally until the near eastern questions are settled; but reparations dominate the thought of the French dele- gation, and this fact probably will have
 an important influence on the decision of the conference respecting the Turk ish arrangements.
 The French and British governments are not in entire agreement the Sevres treaty. It is the impression that Premier Lloyd George of Great Britain will ask M. Briand to yield in some re- lspects on the Turkish treaty in return for steadfast British support with re- , gard to reparatiops.
 The French have all but decided to withdraw from Slicia, but to retain the | mandate for Syria, which is partially pacified, according to General Gouraud, commander of the French army in the near east. The situation in Siclia prom 1 ises prolonged trouble. General Gouraud, :, who came to London with the French mission. considers that France could not
 withdraw from cilicia without loss of prestige, having won n victory at Aintab. MORE MEN NEEDED | France has now 5000 men in Turkey :, but if the war Is to be continued there another 60000 men probably wocld be re- quired to finish the campaign. The | IT,, nohf hfx.a@ dr.np aStro tr, any more lives on Turkish mandates and prefers to reach an agreement with the lpationalists under Mustapha Renal | Pasha.
 ! The word revision is to be carefully
 voded as regards the Sevres treaty on the ground that to revise any treaty l tends to render less permanent and solid all postwar treaties. In stead of re- vision the word 4adjustment,' to fit 1el,anged conditions or the modification of certain articles of the treaty, will be | used.
 ! Since NJ. venizelos, the former Creek premier. has arrived at an understand- ling with the Greek cabinet. although not
 with the Greek King. he also is said
 to have come to an understanding with 1, Mir Lloyd George to save all. or as l much as possible, of the Sevres treaty | so that Greece may retain all of her
 newly acquired territory.
 TO DOMINATE l NJ Venizelos asserts that the Greek
 army can complete victory for Greece
 without calling on the allies for more money or more troops. He asks why 1 therefore, Greece should abandon tho execution of a plan partially realized.
 and when it's fulflment is in sight. Lloyd George is said to have accepted broadly l this judgment and to desire the retention
 of the essential points of Sevres docu-
 ments.
 l M Venizelos, although without offs 1 cial relation to the conference, Is likely | to prove dominating personality in the settlement of the future of the Turkish
 empire. Count Sforza, the Italian for I eign minister. is deemed by the French
 as leaning toward their point of view. Premiers Lloyd George and Briand
 have arranged to meet the Italian for 1 eign minister, Count Sforza at Mr. Lloyd Georges official residence in Downing street at 11:30 tomorrow morning for preliminary examina- | ton of the situation.
 1 The official meeting with the Creeks and Turke is not expected before {, Wednesday, as the Turkish national- l isfs are only due here on Monday or 1 Tuesday, and must come to some
 agreement with the Constantinopls Ndeiegation, so tbat they may present
 themselves togytiner before the con- ference.
 1 NJ. Briand may return to Paris for
 a few days before the arrival of the
 Germans on March 1.