The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-02-02
NEGOTIATIONS
ON NEAR EAST
ARE OPPOSED
King Constantine Says Direct
Dealings Are Impossible
Not Averse to Conserva-
tons Between Delegates.
WANTS RECOGNITION
(By Associated Press)

(By Associated PreSS)
ATHENS, Feb. 2.-Direct negotia-
lions for the settlement of the Near
Eastern problems between the Greek
and Turkish Nationalists are impos-
sible. said King Constantine today He
indicated he was not averse to CONVEX
sations between Greek representatives
and delegates chosen by the Sultan's
government, if such procedure was
dictated by the interests of Greece.
Whether this attitude on the part of
the Greek king would have any bear
ing on the Near Fast conference to be
held in London late this month was
not disclosed by Constantine, but he
made 1t evident his government would
refuse to recognize Mustapha Kemal
Pasha, head of the Turkish National
lists, or his delegates.
Not to Make Overtures
Constantine declared he would ma ke
no overtures to former Premier Veni-
Lelos, who is at present in France,
stating M. Venizelos must take the
initiative.
while at Paris, Foreign Minister
Sforza of Italy suggested direct nego-
tiations between Greece and Turkey
ences." said the king, "but such pro-
ceedure would be out of the question
at the present time. ! do not recog
nize Mutapha Kemal as a person
worthy to be dealt with. Why does
Europe make all this fuss over an out
law? Mustapha Kemal is only a big
bluff; big bubble. and we could blow
him off the map as we would blow a
fly off ia ble
Must Protect People
eff it seems wise, after the London
conference, for Greece to enter into
negotiations with the responsible
Turkish government in Constantinople
we will not hesitate to take that step,
but any discussion must take cogni-
sance Of our right to hold Smyrna and
Thrace. This is not an imperialstic
policy. 1t IS our ma ational policy. We
must protect our people outside the
home land"
King Constantine said he did not
care to comment on the results of the
meeting of the supreme allied council
IN Paris, because his words might
prejudice the case of Greece before
The London conference.
Gounaris Minister.
He declared he felt sure that the
decision at London would not hinge
1pon his occupancy of the Greek
.hrone, Nj. Gounaris, minister of war.
will go to London as one of the
Greek delegates. as he is leader of
, he dominant political party and King
Constantine asserted he did not see
how the allies could refuse to accept
the minister if he was the choice OF
The government and people.
The king declared he was the only
-L~ clio ho tia1- 90
The Greek delegates. but added he
would not consider acceptance of his
signature by the allies as tantamount
Of recognition of him. He said that
If the allies wanted to recognize him
openly, it was their place to send
their ministers to him.
Denies ConcIave.
The king said such thing as his
brother, Prince George, meeting NJ.
Venizelos in Nice, as has been report
ed by Athens newspapers, was quite
impossible, as Prince George and the
former premier were never good
friends. Commenting upon confer
ences between M. Venizelos and Pre-
mier Lloyd George in Paris, the king
said he hoped NJ. Venzelos would
in the interests of Greece, and try to
achieve the final consolidation and
suCCeSS VI pldho iiCouy DSSui ~
aim.
Asked if reconciliation between him
self and the former premier was pos
sible in future, Constantine replied:
II have nothing to make up with Nj.
Venizelos. The country has shown
what it thought of him and me. 1t is
his place to come to me If he desires
to make peace"
Action Pieases
The king expressed himself as being
pleased with the action of parliament
n electing M. Lombardo. choice of the
, Gounoris party, president of the body.
He thought this would strengthen NJ.
Gounaris, and that he might be the
logical candidate for the next premier,
although that question, the king added,
rested largely with parliament.
Constantine said he had no informa-
ion that the United States would soon
recognize him but added he was nat
urally hopeful such action would be
taken. He said he was glad to see
hat President-elect Harding had ex-
pressed friendly sentiments toward
Greece in a communication to a Greek
American republican club.
Reports that the Greek army in Asia
Miner had suffered defeat in recent
operations were denied by Constantine
VINO said the Greeks had won a com
plete victory.