Meetings of the Third Commission, on Economic and 34. November 27, afternoon, 1st meeting. Scheme for appointment ANNEX (B). Report of the first sub-commission on finance ANNEX (B). Proposals presented by the British, French and Italian delegations on the sub-commission for ANNEX (C). Counter-proposals presented by the Turkish ANNEX (F). Draft financial clauses presented by the British, French and Italian delegations ANNEX (G). Memorandum presented by the Turkish 39, January 31, morning, 6th meeting. Held jointly with 24th Draft convention regarding the régime applicable to foreigners in Turkey and draft declaration regarding the administration 47. Draft declaration relating to an amnesty 48. Convention between Greece and Turkey concerning the 49. Protocol relative to the release of able-bodied men 50. Agreement between Greece and Turkey respecting reciprocal ANNEX I. Draft declaration regarding the administration of justice as affecting foreigners in Turkey ANNEX II. Draft agreement concerning certain condi- 56. British Secretary's notes of meeting held in Lord Curzon's ANNEX (A). British declaration regarding Mosul ANNEX (B). Allied formula regarding Græco-Turkish ANNEX (C). Turkish formula regarding Græco-Turkish ANNEX (D). Counter-draft submitted by Ismet Pasha on PART I.. Minutes of the Public and of the Plenary Sessions of the Conference, and of the Meetings of the First Commission. SECTION 1. Public and Plenary Sessions. No. 1. Proceedings of the Opening and Public Session of the Near East Peace Conference, held at the Casino de Montbenon, Lausanne, November 20, 1922, at 3.30 P.M. THE Countries taking part in the conference were represented by their plenipotentiaries; the respective delegations of these countries were also present. Representatives of the press were admitted, and admittance was granted by the municipal authorities of Lausanne to numerous private persons. M. Camerlynck acted as interpreter. M. HAAB, President of the Swiss Confederation, opened the conference with the following speech: "Gentlemen, the Powers whose distinguished representatives we have the privilege of greeting here have been kind enough to express the desire that a citizen of Switzerland, a neutral country, should open the first session of the peace conference which is to put an end to the conflict in the Near East. "The Swiss Federal Council, fully aware of the great historical importance of your task, has entrusted to the President of the Confederation this mission, and we are fully conscious of this honour. It is not without emotion that I have undertaken the task. I have felt myself called to it not only on account of my duties, but also on account of my strong desire to see your work crowned with success. "In the name of the Swiss Federation, I wish your illustrious assembly a warm and cordial welcome. "The Swiss Government and people will be happy to see, thanks to the testimony of confidence which has been granted to them, a peace dawn in this country which will contribute to give back to humanity, crushed by moral and economic care, the hope of a better future. "At all times, in every circumstance, when it is a question of aiding the conclusion of an international agreement or of settling a quarrel peacefully, Switzerland has regarded it as her duty, as a task high above all others, to grant her help, however modest this might be. Also we venture to think that, in choosing a Swiss town as the meeting-place of the conference, your Governments have desired to show us that they appreciate an attitude and a policy which are for us a holy tradition. "Gentlemen, the battlefields of the recent war, of which all humanity so ardently awaits the end through the medium of your conference, these battlefields are situated at the point of meeting [9454] B between the two continents of the old world, which have played the greatest part in history, "These fiercely.disputed regions have been the scene of innumerable and bitter fights, recounted to us in the legends of heroic ages, tales of ancient times and the chronicles of the middle ages. In our own time these legendary or historical events still exercise their influence on the fate of peoples. Up to some weeks ago that ground on which so many heroes have trod has once again been covered with blood by battles; and the features of that warlike valon which used to fill us with enthusiasm at the time when we studied ancient history, have been witnessed once again. It is with respect and admiration that we bow before the tomb of the brave .ones who, without hesitation, sacrificed themselves on the altar of their country. Honour to their memory! They have been loyal and faithful unto death. "Gentlemen, may fate allow the Græco-Turkish war to be the last act in the terrible tragedy which for ten years past has laid waste Europe and a portion of Asia, the baneful consequences of which will be felt both by the conquerors and conquered for generations. "The whole world therefore turns towards the shores of the Léman an anxious gaze in which, nevertheless, there shines a strong gleam of hope. All hearts are beating in harmony, animated by the same desire to see your sagacity succeed in giving peace and quietude to the belligerent States, and thence to all humanity, which will thus be able to take up again its onward march towards the conquest of intellectual and economic prosperity. In your hands lies the fate of countries and peoples. Your task is as wide as it is delicate. We know also how great is your responsibility. The root problems which you have to solve lie deep down in past centuries. "History teaches us that these problems have always influenced the fate of the old world. "In our age of intimate interdependence of peoples, in the economic, financial and intellectual realms, the acute sickness of one member weakens the whole family of nations. "That is why, Gentlemen, the wise policy of your Governments, after having put a stop to murderous combats, has devoted itself to the task of creating a situation which can obtain for one side ast well as for the other the circumstances indispensable for existence. and life, and shall not be an obstacle to an imminent reconciliation. The gratitude of the world and the comforting conviction of having worked for the happiness of humanity will be the rightful recompense of this spirit of conciliation and moderation, which is the indispensable condition for attaining any high common aim. "The two great religions to which the two adversaries of yesterday owe their faith, and from which their civilisation is nourished, meet in this high thought; the best virtues of man are. the spirit of harmony and love of peace. "Gentlemen, in a few weeks we shall celebrate the feast of Christmas. From the bottom of my heart-and this wish is certainly that of thousands of human beings-I desire that on that solemn day the admirable words, Peace on earth and goodwill towards men' may become a reality, thanks to your beneficent work." LORD CURZON rose and said in reply: "We have all of us listened with sentiments of profound respect to the eloquent and elevated language that has been employed by his Excellency the President of the Swiss Confederation. "We meet here to-day for the latest-and, let it be hoped, the last of the various conferences that have been held during the past four years to conclude peace and to throw into the background, soon to be forgotten, the memories of the cruel and devastating war of more than four years ago. Hitherto those conferences have been held in the capital city, or in other places in the territories of the principal Powers that fought the war. I have attended-I shrink from saying how many of these conferences-myself in London, in Paris, in towns of Italy and elsewhere, but now for the first time we meet to-day, Sir, under your presidency, in a neutral country. And if a neutral country had to be selected for what I hope will be a gathering to conclude the final peace, what country could be better fitted for the honour of offering us her hospitality than Switzerland herself? Switzerland, who behind her ring of inviolable mountains has for more than a century never been invaded; Switzerland, who never has cause to fight, although, if she were provoked, everyone of her sons would spring at once to the defence of her soil; Switzerland, who, for a century and more, has preached peace and conciliation to the world; Switzerland, who sets an example to all Europe of a peace-loving and orderly community? Surely, Gentlemen, in this atmosphere, in this beautiful place and amid the surroundings in which we shall find ourselves for the next two or three weeks, it ought to be easy for a spirit of harmony and conciliation to grow up amongst us. "The President has indeed spoken in a language of the most feeling character of all the sacrifices and the sufferings of the war, and he has appealed to us to bring about a state of affairs which will make them a soon-to-be-forgotten memory of the past. Let everyone of us respond to the spirit in which he has spoken to us this afternoon. Let each one of our delegations-and I can speak for my own-enter upon every phase of this conference with no other desire than to come to an agreement upon all these complicated questions which will come before us, to make peace so that we may all go away from this place conscious that we have each made our own contribution to the final act of this great drama. "I do not know, Gentlemen, how long our proceedings may last. I do not know how long we shall trespass, Sir, upon your hospitality. This I can say for my own delegation, and I am sure, I believe, for the others, that no effort will be wanting on our part to carry things to a successful issue, and to give the credit to your [9454] B 2 |