The Washington herald., 1914-06-23
TURKEY OBJECTS
TO WARSHIP SALE
War Inevitable if Greece Gets
Two Vessels, President
Is Told.
MR.. WILSON'S POSITION
Ambassador Bey Knocks Props from
Under Presidents Argument that
Deal Would Guarantee Peace.
Mr.. WILSON'S POSITION

| lively diplomatic controversy has
been precipitated by the decision Of tht
Wilson administration to urge the sale
OF the antiquated battleships Idaho and
/ Mississippi to the Grecian government
Interest in the proposed sale lies IN the
I tension now existing between Turkey
/ and Greece.
Greek Legation, called on President VII
son yesterday afternoon. presumably to
| present Commander Tsouklas, the new
naval attsche. In reality. he laid be-
! fore the President the arguments of his
government for the immediate consum-
nation Of the sale Of the two battleships.
Turkey Voices Protest.
Hardly had the Greek charge departed
from the White House before the Presi-
dent received In the Blue Room the new
Turkish Ambassador, Rustem Bey, who
called with his predecessor. Ambassador
Pacha. to present his credentials. Am
! bsssador Bey accompanied his creden-
tials with an emphatic protest on the
part of the Turkish government against
the sale of the battleships-
Earlier in the day the President had
admitted to callers that he had approved
Secretary OF the Navy Daniels recon-
mendation to Congress that the sale Of
the two ships be authorized in order that
a new superdreadnought might be pur-
chased.
situation iu the House.
The past few days has seen a renewal
of activity among House leaders In sup
port of the provision. Chairman Padgett
of the Naval Committee and his col
lGa anrFnE haN RwkN for
the amendment to which they originally
had not given even lukewarm endorse
ment AS a result IL is anticipated THAI
unless the administration withdraws its
influence. the amendment will be ap-
proved in the House when the Naval bill
comes back from conference today.
The President admitted he had ap-
proved the recommendation for the sale
and made it clear that he had done so
with the understanding that the acquire
ment of the fighting vessels by Greece
would encourage peace. He did not
amplify this statement but, IL was under
stood that he believed Turkey would be
less inclined to go to war with Greece
over the Albanian trouble. were thu.
Greek navy to be strengthened by the
Idaho and Mississippi
Argument of Greece.
This is the argument which has been
urged upon the American government by
Greece. The Turkish navy Recently has
been reinforced by the purchase of two
modern battleships now under construc-
tion in England for Brazil. For this
reason the Greek charge has argued that
the cause of peace would be best sub
served by strengthening the Greek navy
to such an extent that Turkey would not
feel so confident.
The position of the Turkish government
with regard to peace suggestions is that
the United States can be more certain
that the peace between Greece and Tur-
key will be maintained. IL the offer for
the Idaho and Mississippi is refused at
this time. In denial Of the contention OF
the Greeks. 1t has been asserted that
should Greece get hold of the two ships
she Immediately would declare war on
Turkey, believing that the advantage Of
the other nation had been removed.
wouldn't Prevent War.
Representative Britten, Of Illinois, a |
Republican member Of the House Com |
mittee on Naval Affairs. yesterday made |
public a statement in which he criticised |
an expression attributed 10 President |
Wilson that the sale Of the battIeships |
Idaho and Mississippi to Greece would |
prevent war between Greece and Turkey. |
81 do not agree with President Wilson |
In his opinion that the sale Of the battle |
ships Idaho and Mississippi to Greece |
may avert war between that country and |
being purchased for any other purpose |
do l think that these two vessels are |
being purchased for any other purpose |
than to give Greece control OF the Black |
Egean Seas in order that she may, with |
her superior navy, prevent Turkey from |
sending hundreds of thousands of troops |
across the sea from Asiatic Turkey in |
the event Of war between these two /
countries.
IF members OF Congress will treat the
sale of these ships from a purely eco
nomic standpoint, they will Immediately
decide that an increase in our. navy OF
more than 100 per cent, as far as these
two ships are concerned, can be effected
without the expenditure of one dollar by
our government. and while the vote on
the question will be close, look to see
the small-navy men routed by approx
mately the same majority as occurred on
the recent vote for a two-battleship pro-
gram
The superiority Of a super-Dread-
laught to be constructed out of the funds
received from the sale of the Idaho and
cannot be questioned from
any angle. while its economy is also be-
yond dispute"