The Washington times., 1922-09-23
Britain Seeks Peace,
Lloyd George Tells
/ London Journalists
BY DAVID NJ. CHURCH.
International News Service.


that the government Is opposed to
war I'm the Near East. He proposed
that the freedom of the Turkish
Straits be guaranteed by placang
them under the auspices Of the
League of Nations
The Premier's statement was sfTen
to the world at the first audience
Lloyd George has rendered to
the journalists since the great war
The object of Great Britain's
military action in the Near East
does not concern the future Of Ana
tolia or Thrace," he said. "The
object of Britain's military action
is to insure freedom of the Turkish
Straits and prevent war from spread
ing into Europe.
Great Britain does not want to
make a Gibraltar OF Chanak. Great
Britain desires that the League Of
Nations insure freedom of the Turk
tsh Straits for all nations.
I'VE are not going back on any
thing we have said. Peace must be
established. Peace is our motive. It
Is essential that we hold Chanak In
order to secure the freedom of the
Turkish Straits for unarned ships.
We want the Straits to be held, how
ever, under the auspices of the
League Of Nations.
"Must Stop Fire"
we want the Straits controlled in
the interests Of all the nations. We
must try to prevent the prairie fire
which devastated Asia from crossing
into Europe and lighting the dry tin
der Of the Balkans. We have every
ressun to fear repetition Of the ter
rible Incidents of Turkish massacres
II war spreads into Europe. There
Is no knowing what may happen un-
less the conflagration h arrested.
1T is essential to the peace Of the
world that effective guarantees be
obtained securing the freedom Of the
Straits" ~
Premier Lloyd George pointed out
that Britain is unwilling to SLOW the
freedom Of the Turkish straits 10
depend upon the clauses Of any
peace treaty (which Is only guaran-
teed by the caprices of any govern
ment that might exist at CONSTANT
nople." He added: I'VE regard this
as calamity. That Is why we are
taking the most effective steps to
prevent it,"
The premier explained that the
Near East situation had been con-
fused because Of the failure of Paris
peace conference plans for man
dates. For instance, the United
States refused to accept a mandate
Tor Armenia after IL had been agreed
upon at Paris.
The British, Premier Lloyd George
continued, are anxious for an i'm
mediate peace conference.
The premier said that Great
Britain Is not prejudiced I'm her de-
mands upon the Turks. He recalled
that the great war began in the
Balkans and said that was why
Great Britain Is SO much concerned
at present. The premier added that
Britain wants to prevent Smyrna's
back fire" from spreading across
European soil
As between the Greeks and the
Turks. Great Britain Is impartial,
said Mr. Lloyd George. He pointed
out that several weeks ago the
Greeks had been warned not to cross
the neutral zone.
We acted IN the interests of peace
then. and we are acting in the in
terests Of peace now," concluded the
premier.
Cabinet Wants ArTnistiee.
The cabinet approved the proposal
that Turkish nationalists be invited
to send representatives to Mudania
tAsiatic Turkey to sign an arnistice
before the peace conference begins.
Mastapha Renal Paslna, COM
sander In chief Of the Turkish ma
tionalist army and president Of the
Angora assembly, was reported
from COnstantinepIe today as se.
cepting I'm principle the allied de.
mand for naturalization Of the
Turkish straits.
The Turkish leader, however, as
sured the allied high commissioners
Mt Censtantinople that he could not
suspend military operations until
assured OF Eastern Thrace.
Premier Lloyd George returned
this morning from his country homo
to preside at a meeting of the cabI.
net TO discuss the allied note drawn
up by the British. French, Italian,
and Jugo-Slav delegates at Paris.
IL was reported that the govern
ment has received an important ccm-
munication from Sir Harry Lamb.
British high commissioner at Con-
stantinople. bearing upon peace in
the Near East.
Turkish troops, according to Near
East advices, have begun to con.
centrate In the region OF Ismid, south
of Constantinople II Is believed
here that II hostilities break out
which many officials believe II I'm
likely-Kemals war plans would in
clude attacks against the British at
Chanak and Ismid and an uprising
by Moslems in Constantinople and
Thrace.
Word was received that the en-.
trenchments constructed by the
British at Chanak are being ex-
tended. Turkish cavalry has
reached Adramyu. The commander.
after stationing his troops, went
forward and conferred with the
British officer stationed in the
neutral zone to determine the exact
boundary Of the zone.
There is no official confirma-
tion Of Tumor from Paris that II
had been agreed 70 apud italia m