New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-08-05
Britain Insists
Smyrna Must
Not Be Ravaged
Responsible for Peace in the
Near East, Lloyd George
Tells Commons, Assail-
ing Turks for Cruelty
Balance To Be Held Even
Suggests Safety of Greek
Population Be Assured;
SyrnpatEaizes With France

FFHHl INC JftoNpGS European BU-eHH
Copyright, 1922, New York Tribune inc.
LONDON, Aug. 4.--The British gov
ernment's policy is to hold the balance
fairly between Greece and Turkey, but
Ut VIII permit no peace leaving hum
Greds of thousands Of helpless people
at the mercy of those guilty Of deporta-
tion outrages in Smyrna, declared Pre-
mier Lloyd George in the course of
statement on the Near East situation
in the House of Commons this after
noon. Smyrna's position might be met
by a guaranty fer the security of the
Greek population, he indicated.
The whole tone Of the Premier's talk
was strongly anti-Turkish. He charged
that the action of Turkey had pro-
ionged the war two years and was al
most entirely accountable for the col
lapse of Russia. The Greek occupation
Of Smyrna was not due to British but
to~the Entente Commission, he pointed
out.
Both Sides Ferocious
Declaring he was not at all surprised
that France was angry with Greece
over the return of Constantine, LLOYD
George added that this move was
Greece's own business. He conceded
that the Greeks were guilty of atroci-
ties, but asserted that those by the
Turks were much more ferocious, quot
ing the American missions use of the
word determination"
It was not question of MosIenn or
Christian, he declared, but one of pure
humanity. The Premier concluded by
saying that it was British troops that
| overthrow Turkey, and therefore the
supreme responsibility for peace in the
Near East must rest with Great Brit
, ain.
LONDON, Aug. a (By The Asso-
ciated Press Greece would un-
doubtedly occupy Constantinople if the
Allies were not there, Premier Lloyd
George asserted in reply to questions
in the House of Commons Just before
adjournment this afternoon, adding
that it was right that the city should
/ be defended. Declaring that the gov
ernment had nothing to conceal in it's
Near East policy the Premier said:
Don't let it be said that we are
unduly favoring the Greeks and Civ
ing them some sort of preferential
I treatment.
There, are even suggestions" he
continued. mot altogether without
foundation, perhaps, that the Kemalist
Iorces have been re-equipped from
Europe, and under any other condi-
tions the Greeks would have been an
titled to blockade the coast of Asia
Minor and prevent arms from going
to Turkey"
He said the developments of the
last few months had made it clear
that, whatever happened, there must
be adequate and efficient protection of
minorlties in that part of Asia Minor,
and this must be an essential part of
amy settlement that Great Britain
would accept.
ATHENS, Aug. by The Associated
Press. - Responding to the Allied
powers note of July 81 the Greek
government says it decided to occupy
Constantinople in order to bring about
peace by means of decisive military
1 action against the Turkish capital
Complaint is made that the Allied
decision against such move raises
an obstacle to the proper exercise Of
Greece's right as belligerent and the
reply reiterates that continued delay
in the conclusion of peace will result
IN fresh calamities TO the Christians
in Asia Minor
CONSTANTINOPLE, Aug. 4 (By The
Associated Press .-The council of AL
! led generals is taking drastic action
to prevent repetition Of such incidents
as the clash between Greek and Turk
ish troops on the frontier northwest
: Of this city early in the present week,
in which three Greeks were killed 1t
has been decided that the Greeks shall
occupy new positions, less menacing to
the Turkish lines. 1t is believed all
danger OF an attack on Constantinople
has passed