The discussion of Near and Middle Eastern policy-making in the British press in 1922

The article deals with the discussion by the English newspapers of important aspects of policy-making in the Near East during the final stage of the Greco-Turkish War of 1919-1922 resulting into the signing of armistice in Mudania in October 1922. The advance of Turkish military forces in September 1922 and their taking of Smirna changed the military situation to the disadvantage of the allies creating a threat of driving out their forces from Constantinople and the Straits. The entry of the Turkish military forces into the neutral zone and their demand to withdraw the British forces from the Straits were followed by the enforcement of the British military forces on the Straits and changed the military situation to their favour. Having agreed to start negotiations Kemal accepted the occupation of Constantinople and the Straits by the allies until the signing of the treaty yet insisted on the immediate withdrawal of the Greek military forces. The situation in the Near East and the political decisions of the Government found coverage in the press. The materials of the English newspapers contain various aspects of policy-making by the Coalition Government in the Near East in 1922. The articles published by such English newspapers as The Times, The Manchester Guardian and The Daily Herald both provide information on the developments in the Near East and give a chance to compare various opinions on foreign policy questions held by the Conservative, Liberal and Labour Parties in 1922. The Times and The Daily Telegraph reflected the opinions and position of the Conservative Party members, the City of London and the financial interests of the country. The Daily Telegraph invariably spoke in favour of the Government's course aimed at encouraging Greek aspirations and the weakening of Turkey, which did not find the full support of the ruling classes. The growing opposition tendencies to the Coalition Government's policy can be confirmed by the negative assessments of the political decisions and developments in the Near East in September and October 1922. The Times stressed the Government's responsibility for the unrest in India, the Near and Middle East. After the fall of Smirna and the advance of the Turkish armies to the region of the Straits the newspaper pointed out to their refusal to support the Government's political course. The Economist emphasised that it was the Prime Minister who was responsible for the failure to come to an agreement with the Turkish government. After the signing of the armistice The Times accused the Prime Minister for the failure to secure peace in the Near East and the agreement which would prevent the "return of the Turks into Europe" as well as for worsening the relations with the allies. The Daily Herald that expressed the position of the Labour Party was the only one that favoured the return of Constantinople to Turkey yet insisted on the international control of the Straits. The newspaper spoke against the attempt of Lloyd George to encourage the Greeks to occupy Constantinople as it caused disappointment in France and resulted into a grave crises and the danger of crossing the neutral zone by the Turkish Army, breaking out military operations and new victims.

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