The latest news of the Turkish position is most unfor-
tunate. Ismet has refused to listen to the French repre- sentations and has left Lausanne, though he informed Signor Massigli that he regarded the negotiations as only suspended and was ready to return when invited to do so. French opinion is evidently divided, the Temps, amazing as it may seem, denying roundly Lord Curzon's implication that the French had negotiated separately with the Turks. On the other hand, the Journal des 'Mats puts the whole blame for the failure of the Conference on French policy and considers that Lord Curzon's statement gives a true picture of the situation. Meanwhile, the Turks have naturally stiffened their attitude and even gone so far as to order the Allied warships to leave Smyrna. This is, of course, completely contrary to the Mudros armistice, and the warships have been ordered to remain and to defend themselves if necessary. It is said that the entrance to the har- bour is mined and that the only channel is covered by a battery. The risk of hostilities is evidently very threatening.
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