Kemal's proclamation went on to assert that his army "
would finally achieve the great purpose which it is aiming at." A practical, though perhaps not a formal answer to this boast of obvious meaning was given on Monday, when the Allied Commissioners at Constantinople were instructed by their respective Governments to inform the Nationalist authorities at Angora that in no circumstances would the Allies tolerate any violation of the neutral zone. On Tuesday the French Chargé d'Affaires called at the Foreign Office and intimated that the French Government was in agreement with the British Government on the subject of the freedom of the Straits, and was ready to discuss anything which might lead to a settlement, providing that the legitimate susceptibilities of the Turks were safeguarded. It is understood that the Italian proposal for an immediate conference at Venice is not regarded with favour by the other Allies. Much light will be• thrown on the prospects of a peaceful settlement during the next few days, when we shall see whether Kemal Pasha is one of those rare statesmen who can keep their heads in spite of an unexpected success, or whether he is a victim to the Napoleonic craze for " biting off more than he can chew."
