Having recently assumed the post of Prime Minister of France and declaring his – unpleasant for Greece – position on the East, Raymond Poincaré was quite busy in the “Daily” of January 28, 1922. His briefing on the East and the Washington Conference, the proposal to postpone the Genoa Conference were among the topics in the newspaper that worried him. However, the most interesting news, as it turned out a few months later, was contained in a radio telegram from Paris. “The London correspondent of Adialactos reports that, according to information from circles well informed there, the contradictions between the French and English plans for the solution of the East have almost come to an end and that an agreement has already been reached on a common policy, which both M. Powers will adhere to during the upcoming conference of three foreign ministers.

The foundations of this agreement are as follows: First, take draconian measures to protect the Christians of Asia Minor. Secondly, that Smyrna should become autonomous after its area under Turkish rule. Thirdly, to modify the borders of Thrace and Constantinople, transferred along the line of Rydestos – Midea. […] Fourthly, the Entente should act by naval blockade of the coasts of Asia Minor if one or another of the belligerents refuses to make decisions concerning the East. Fifth, to temporarily postpone the discussion of the French proposal for the evacuation of allied troops from Constantinople. The article on the main page of the newspaper was called “The Enemy” and concerned the camp of Kemal and was written, as already noted, “on the basis of reliable information from the Kemal state.” His final conclusions – but also all of his conclusions – rather embellished the situation and underestimated Kemal’s dynamics: “In short, the East is going through a day of crisis and it is likely that Mustafa Kemal, caught in an impasse, will attempt a last desperate attack, like a beleaguered one, attempts desperate exit, if the short-sightedness of others does not give him a timely decision, since he no longer has the right to hope.