The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-09-20
Oh, the AssOciated Press.I


Paris, Sept. 20.-The allied confer
ees on the near eastern situation de-
cided late today to call a peace con-
ference of eight nations interested
in a settlement to determine the terms
of peace. This conference will pro-
badly meet within two or three weeks.
The conference, it was announced,
will consist Of Representatives of Great
Britain, France, Turkey, Italy, Greece,
Japan, Rumania and Jugo Slavia.
Paris, Sept. 20---An agreement be-
tween Great Britain and France on
the near eastern problem seemed rea-
sonably assured after two and one
half hour conversation between Pre-
Tnier Poincare and Lord CurZon, Brit
ish foreign secretary, at the French
foreign office this forenoon.
The two ministers outlined to each
other at great length the views of
their governments and considerable
prokress was believed to have been
made toward an understanding. Lord
Curzon is understood to have informed
NJ. Poincare that Great Britain would
insist upon the absolute freedom OF
the straits of the Dardanelles and
would insure this freedom by the
presence of a large fleet. The Brit
ish foreign secretary however Is said
to have intimated that the British mill
confined to the navy. which gave rise
to the impression that the British
troops would soon be Withdrawn from
Chanak.
Premier Poincare informed Lord
Curzon the French policy was decid
edly pacific. He urged the immediate
calling of a peace conference for a
final settlement on the basis of the
Turks remaining On the Asiatic side of
the straits pending the outcome of the
conference. The two ministers were
in agreement on the necessity of main
3 tanning the freedom of the straits, al
ytho it is understood there may be some
difference of opinion as to the char
acter of the control.
Representatives of France, Great
Britain and Italy today conferred to
seek an adjustment of the near east
ern tangle. 1t was arranged this
morning that Marquis Curzon. British
foreign secretary. should see Premier
Poincare at 10 o'clock to prepare the
ground fora meeting this afternoon
which will include the Italian ambas-
sador, Count Sforza; Admiral Earl
Beatty, commander of the British
grand fleet, and possibly NJ. Ninchitcn
Jugo Slav premier, who also arrived
yesterday from London.
The presence of Earl Beatty is taken
here to mean that the British now
feel the Dardanelles can be fully pro-
L
naval means. which the admiral will
explain at the conference.
Turks May Attack.
(By The Associated Press)
Constantinople, Sept. 20.-Informa-
ton that Mustapha Kemal Pasha is
preparing to launch an attack for the
possession oW the DardanelleS in spite
of the exhortations OF General Pelle
French high commissioner, is causing
undisguised anxiety in allied military
circles here.
1t is not improbable that such an
attack will be made before the end of
the present week, it is stated, the
Turks taking advantage of the fact
the British have not yet concentrated
all their forces.
The British are declared to be de-
termined to hold the straits at all
Kemalist forces may De and regard
less also of whether France and Italy
participate in the defense.
Fighting Imminent
One of the best evidences of the
many British subjects. including the
families of officers, are leaving the
city, showing that they believe the
fighting imminent.
1t is understood here that the
French cabinet warned the Angora
government of the inadvisabil of
an assault on the neutral zone but the
nationalists are believed to have re-
piled that the proposed attack is in
the nature Of a defensive and pro-
tCoutiuued an Page Eicht.I