New-York tribune., 1918-08-25
Knell of Turk e y
Sounded by Lodge
In Peace Term I ak
Republican LeaderDeclares
Palestine Cannot Be Given
Back to Porte
Wait Word by Wilson
Speech May Bring Statement
From President Defining
Wait Word by Wilson
(Snecinl Dispctch to The Tribune


WASHINGTON, Aug. 24.-Great in
terest was manifested in diplomatic
circles to-day in the statement OF
peace terms which the United States
ought to require as made to the Sen
ate by Henry Cabot Lodge, the new
Republican leader, who, in the event
of the Republicans controlling the
Senate, would be chairman of the Sen
ate Foreign Relations Committee.
The position assumed by Senator
Lodge showed no radical lines of DIFF
ference from that declared by Presl-
dent Wilson so far as regards the
situation in Western Europe, although
it was remarked that the Senator'S
treatment Of such problems as Alsace-
Lorraine and Italia Irredenta was
more definite than the Presidents.
Most interest was attracted by his dis
cussion of the Turkish question. and
his remarks are expected to lead to
more general consideration in this
country of that problem.
May Settle Turk Problem
It was said also that Senator Lodge
basis for peace may result IN fresh
statement. within the next few weeks,
by President Wilson, and also that his
reference to the Ottoman Empire may
have the effect of moving the Entente
powers who are at war with Turkey
without the association of the United
~ or q
ment, which up to this time they have
not been able to arrive at.
Although President Wilson's views
concerning the proposed international-
ization of Constantinople are not
known, it had been thought that he ia
vored the project, while the Allied
powers, apprecating the extraordinary
difficulties in the way OF carrying such
a project into execution, have been IN
clined toward permitting Turkey to
retain that city, but under conditions
which would deprive her Of the power
to use it in the future to threaten
either the peace of Europe or to lay
unusual burdens upon commerce.
President Wilson had declared that
"the Turkish portions of the present
Ottoman Empire should be assured q
secure sovereignty" That declaration
would contine Turkey to Asia Minor
and TO Constantlnople, which have
preponderance of Turkish inhabitants.
it fairly comedies with Senator Lodges
assertion that "Palestine must never
return to Turkish rule and the perse
cuted Christians of Asia Minor-the
Syrians and the Armenians-must be
made safe"
Cannot Condone Massacres
The Senator's assertion that Tur
KEYS "massacres must not under any
pretext be condoned. nor her inquities
rewarded" had reference. diplomats
stated, to the history of Turkey during
the last century, and especially the
Crimean War, when European politics
had especially in view. under the lead
ership Of Great Britain, the movement
of Russia toward Constantinople, and
which protected Turkey despite its
crimes against the many natonalities
composing the Ottoman Empire, be-
cause the powers could not agree upon
the distribution of her territories, and
it was deemed that the peoples them
selves were incapable of self govern
ment.
England to Hold Lands
The situation has been greatly modi-
fed by the present war, and there is
common assent among the Allies that
Turkey must so, so far as her empire