Papers written by Curzon on the Near and Middle East [‎137r] (273/348)

3
If Mustapha Kemal desires any explanation as to the intentions of the Allies
or the meaning of their terms, let him depute any representative whom he pleases to
Constantinople, where the High Commissioners will be ready to give him the fullest
explanations, or better still, let him either propose or acquiesce in the selection of
some spot where the Conference, as originally proposed, can be held without further
delay.
In inviting the serious attention of the French Government to these considera
tions, His Majesty’s Government are compelled to point out that the responsibility
for further delay in carrying out the Paris proposals is a burden which none of the
Allies should be w illing to bear. The sands are running out. In the interval that has
elapsed since Paris, the situation, particularly if it be viewed from the Greek side,
and the possibility of Greek resistance to the demands of the Allies, becomes daily
not more, but less favourable. Equally is there a danger, confirmed by all the reports
that have been received, of an even closer understanding and more active military
co-operation between the Angora and Soviet Governments—a situation that cannot
be any more beneficial to French than to British interests in the Middle East.
If the Powers represented at Paris were sincere in their proposals, and if they meant
by every means in their power to secure their acceptance by Greece and Turkey, there
can be no excuse for these protracted delays, with their attendant perils. Rather
should the allied policy be one.of adhering to the plan there prepared, and making a,
further, even if it be a final, effort to extract a definite acceptance or refusal of it
from Angora, Constantinople, and Athens alike.
His Majesty's Government would view with profound regret the abandonment
of this plan, to which so much labour was devoted, and they are slow to believe that
the French Government can haye any such intention. It is in this spirit that I am
now addressing them in the hope that the common allied action which has here been
urged may be resumed, in the general sense of the proposals which I have previously
made.
Should this be found impossible, His Majesty's Government will have to deal
with the matter in a different and independent way; and the prelude to any such
action on their part will of necessity be the publication of the entire correspondence
on the matter that has passed between the Allied Governments and the Governments
of Athens. Angora, and Constantinople.
Thev would greatly prefer, however, that the three Governments should once
more unite in the communication of an identic note to the Governments of Athens
and Constantinople, intimating that a definite reply to their proposals must now be
made, and that there can be no further delay in summoning a Conference of the
character agreed upon at Paris.
His Majesty's Government will be grateful if, in view of the urgency of the
matter, they may be favoured with an early reply to this communication.
I am, &c.
CURZON OF KEDLESTON.
r£>