NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE chief event of the week is without question the progress made at the Lausanne Conference. Though the sittings are not ended, the crucial point, the Freedom of the Straits, was reached and virtually decided on Wednesday, when Ismet Pasha, the chief Turkish delegate, announced that he accepted the Allied plan. The result is not only a triumph for Lord Curzon's firm, yet patient and conciliatory diplomacy, but is also a complete defeat for the Soviet Government. They played a dangerous anti-peace game during the Confer- ence and they lost. We have always been in favour of recognizing the existence of the Soviet Government for it is a fact—if a disagreeable one—and facts must always be recognized whether they are good or bad. If, however, when we are dealing with the Soviet rulers they play the kind of part played by M. Tchitcherin at Lausanne, diplomatic intercourse becomes very difficult.
