The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-05-22
Greece and
Turks Near
flict
NJ. Alexandris Says Delegates
Will Quit Peace Farley if
I. Kemalists Insist OH Collec.
ton of Indemnities.
Well Equipped to Fight

Lausanne. May 21.-Tf Turkey ia
sists on war to settlA the question
Of the indemnity It claims is due from
Greece, then Greece viii accept tht
gage Of battle. NJ. Alexandris, ths
Greek foreign minister told the for
eign correspondents today. .Ths
Greek delegates. he added. will be
withdrawn from the Near East con-
ference this week If Turkey persists
in its reparation demands.
The Turks have given no indication
OF an intention to recede from their
reparation demands and NJ. Alex.
andris' declaration that Greece was
resolved not TO pay cent Of In
demnity brought increased pessiniism
in conference circles.
Tie Greek foreign minister denied
that he had come to Lausanne in a
bellIcose mood but said the Greek
army had been reorganized since the
overthrow Of Constantine and was
now well equipped and able to take
care of itself.
Can Defend Honor.
4 think" be said. If the worst
comes 10 the worst. the Greek army
will be able 10 defend its honor"
II. Alexaodris added that he would
Ike the American people 10 realize
Greeces position. especially that al
though Greece had numerous proxos
cations which would reasonably
justify it in reopening the war with
F Turkey it had ignored them all be-
ufr -
. peace.
The seizlxe by the Turks Of the
Impoverished refugees funds in the
banks Of Constantinople, continued
the foreign minister. and the aborniS
able treatment Of Greek prisoners OF
+ war recently arrived from Asia Minor
I constituted such provocations. The
+ Greeks and Turks had signed a sep
arate convention at Lausanne in Janu.
ary for the compulsory exchange of
+ populations, with the distinct proyi.
sion that il should be imperative be-
fore MAY /. yet the Turks have sent
an additional 10000 refugees since
E the signature Of the convention, IN
gross violation Of its terms.
Protests Disregarded.
+ The allies. as well as Greece. had
protested. but Turkey sent still an
other boatload Of 1000. The latest
proYocation. according 10 NJ. Alex
andris was the steady dispatch OF
Turkish troops into eastern Thrsce.
violating the Mudania armistice.
7 have just received a telegram
from Athens. he added, that on
Saturday 200 additional troops
crossed the straits as reinforcements
10 the Turkish army already mohiIized
in Thraces
With reference 10 possible war, n.
Alexandris said: Turkey seems to
feel that Greece was beaten in the
war and therefore owes an indemnity.
But this is i grave error. as Greece
Vas merely beaten in battle in Asia
Minor and hostihties were suspended
by an armisiice. which Greece is Try
ing 10 transform into peace. But II
the Turks propose 10 resume the war
10 obtain an indemnity. then Greece
accepts the challenge.
Threatens TO Quit Farley.
Ny government has determined TO
retire from the conference next Wed.
nesday or Thursday. when the in.
aemnty question comes up in
nlenary session, IL Turkey insists
upon an unjust position or any effort
Is made TO force Greece 10 accent this
position"
n. AleNandris repeated abe Greek
contention that Turkey and Greece
should mutually renounee repara,ions
As the only possible solution.
The second month Of the second
conference VIII open Tuesday IN
troubled atmosphere. with none Of ths
great issues settled.