HC Deb 10 April 1922 vol 153 cc10-2
30. Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any official information to the effect that the Turkish Nationalist Government at Angora have agreed to the terms agreed by the recent conference of Allied foreign Ministers in Paris as the basis of an armistice and the revision of the Treaty of Sèvres, upon the condition that the Greek forces evacuate Asia Minor within four months; whether he will take steps to ensure the presence of British and other Allied officers in the territory to be evacuated forthwith, and throughout the difficult period of evacua- tion; and whether any reply to the Allied proposals has been received from the Hellenic Government?

58. Sir J. D. REES

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any answer has yet been received from Turkey regarding the new terms?

59. Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Turkish Government at Angora has accepted the suggestion for an armistice; what conditions, if any, were attached to the acceptance of an armistice; and what reply has been sent to this proposal?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)

The Greek Government have accepted the armistice proposal. The Angora Government have accepted in principle the proposal for an armistice, and have expressed their readiness to send delegates to a conference to examine conditions of peace, but they have qualified their acceptance by the proviso that Greek evacuation of Anatolia shall begin at once and be completed within four months. Arrangements for assuring order during the evacuation have been elaborated by the Allied military authorities under Marshal Foch, but I cannot at present describe them in detail.

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Do we understand that the conditions on which the Angora Government insist, preparatory to an armistice, have been forwarded to the Greek Government?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

I think the Greek Government is aware of the conditions.

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Is the armistice to take place or not?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

That I cannot answer at the moment. The reply is conditional.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Has the hon. Gentleman any information as to the statement in the Press that 2,000 Greek officers and a large number of Greek troops in the Smyrna area refuse to be bound by the armistice?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

No, I have no information as to that statement.

Captain COOTE

Is the hon. Gentleman quite sure that the steps to prevent disorders during the evacuation are satisfactory, and will he ensure that His Majesty's Government have representatives on the spot to see that disorders do not take place?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

We are in the provisional stage of negotiations. I think the conditions proposed are satisfactory.

Captain COOTE

But the disorders may start any day.

60. Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Turkish Nationalist Government has recently entered into a further treaty or agreement with the Moscow Soviet Government; and, if so, what are the main provisions of this treaty or agreement?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

His Majesty's Government have no knowledge of such an agreement.