New-York tribune., 1921-02-24
Turks Demand
Allies Discard
Sevres Treaty
Nationalists Ask Virtual
Scrapping of Pact, While
sultan's ENJOYS Find Lit
tie Acceptable to Them
Face Supreme Council
Detailed Statements To-day
Requested; I'll eed Paid
Mainly to Rebel Leader
By Arthur S. Draper
From The rrssano's Exropean surea.

ENTODGdn 6tFeQA
COPYRIGHT. 1921. New York Tribune Inc
LONDON, Feb.a 23.--Bekir Ssmy Bey.
head Of the Turkish Nationalist dele
cation to the Allied Supreme Council,
made plea for the virtual scrapping
Of the Sevres treaty before the Council
to-day. Tewfk Pasha, leader of the
Constantinople representatives, made
less drastic demands, but he found
little in the treaty which was accept
able to the Sultan's party.
Both delegations appeared before the
Council, which is sitting in st. James's
Palace, and after they had stated their
cases were told to present detailed
statements in writing tomorrow.
The leader Of the Nationalist dele
cation occupied the center of the stage
and, although he failed to convince
Premier Lloyd George that he was the
only Turk qualified to speak for his
country. it was evident that he was
regarded by the Council as the chief
spokesman for the Turks, and that
peace must be made with him.
1t is becoming increasingly evident
that few fundamental questions will
be settled in London and that whatever
IS accomplished will be through nego-
tlations outside the Council chamber.
The Supreme Council probably will
turn over most of the details to experts
and thus postpone final settlem ent,
but the heads of the Allied nations
Will make the best possible bargains
for the countries under their protec-
tion.
Self-Interest Dominant
Self-interest is the dom ,nant note to
date in the Council hearings. The Ma
tionalists objected to the clauses Of
the treaty disposing of the mandates
over Thrace anu Smyrna to the estAb-
lishment of neutral zone about the
straits, and, finally, to the military,
financial and economic features.
Tewfk Pasha contended taat all
countries inhabited by Turks, except
those with Arab major ties, should re-
main Turkish, with full Turkish SOW
ereignty; that although the Turks will
concede minorities the same rights as
enjoyed by minorities under other
treaties they NUT receive sim!
rights in other countries, notably
Greece, and that if the Turks CON
ceded the reedom Of the straits to all
nations they themselves must exercise
sovereignty ever them.
The Supreme Council now is fa-
miljar with the broad claims of the
Turks and Greeks, but there can be no
discussion of the terms of settlement
until detailed statements of the Turk
lsh demands are received. Two more
divergent sets Of views could hardly be
imagined, and reaching compromise
appears we'll nign impossible.
Turks at Separate Tables
The Turkish factions sat at separate
tables in the council room to-day, but
much antagonism between the two
groups seems simulated for political
effect.
The French are untiring in their ef-
forts to conclude a general armistice
in the Near East, or, failing that, to
make peace with the Turks, and thus
permit the reduction of the French
mi litary commitments. The Nation
allsts are delighted with the attitude
of the French toward them.
Beyond intimating that they are in
clined to support the Greeks. the Brit
lsh have given few hints regarding
their ultimate policy in the Near East
Premier Lloyd George was smiling
broadly vhen he entered the confer
ence this morning, and he came out
with Premier BRAND, talking animat-
edly.
Count Sforza, the Italian Foreign
Minister, was active outside the coun-
Gil seeing regular stream of officials
and representatives., including mem
bers Of both Turkish delegations and
the Greek delegation and former Pre-
mier Venizelos.