New-York tribune., 1919-05-06
Britain MAY
Get Mandate
Over Turkey
Powerful Influences Seeking
to Preserve Integrity Of
Constantinople Under
Protectorate Like Egypt
Ne,c York 7'ribuae
.SDoc:6I C1bIe !Ser,,;ce

Copyright 1919. New York Tribune Inc
PARIS, May 5.-Despite the desires
of the Armenians that the United
States assume a mandate over the
district of the Armenian state, and
the wishes Of Lloyd George, Balfour
and Sir Robert Cecil that the United
States accept a mandate for the ter
litories of the former Turkish En-
pire, there are powerful influences
behind the scenes Of the peace CON
ference at work to preserve the in
tegrity of Turkey and her position as
a European power, with seat al Con-
stantinople, under some form of Brit
ish protectorate similar to that of
Egypt before the war.
1t is fel, here by those who are in
teresting themselves in the Near East
that these influences will have great
weight in the determination of the
fate of Turkey in the treaty which the
Allies will negotiate after the German
treaty is off the boards.
L. S. Experts in Dark
American experts at the peace CON
ference, who are studying the Near
East problem, declare themselves at a
loss to understand the exact nature
and motives Of the combinations which
are working toward the preservation
of Turkey as European power As
one Of them stated to The Tribune
cores pondent: There is nigger' in
the woodpie."
Experts are inclined to the belief
that the moving spirits are certain
British financial circles VINO are show
ing lively interest in the Turkish
public debt and the exploitation Of
the commercial and industrial op-
portunities of Turkish territories A
big British company has been formed
recently for the exploitation of the
Levant. This company has made is
voice heard in the matter OF the con-
troll of the Turkish public debt.
American missionaries, who are gem
orally united in the support Of Tur-
keys cause. are also an important
factor in the situation. Mr.. Bliss,
president of Beirut College. has been
with the American delegates. Mr. Bar
ton. another missionary IN Turkey. IS
coming TO Paris in a few days TO plead
the cause of the Turks. 1t is pointed
out that these missionaries seek re-
suits which ultimately Will be the
same as are desired by these British
tinanciers, who want the Turks under
British protectorate
Autonomy May Be Solution
There is no question that the pres
ent British government is anxious for
America to help her in controlling and
governing the Near Eastern population.
Premier Lloyd George, Mr.. Balfour,
Lord Robert Cecil and other farsighted
British statesmen have shown on diff
ferent occasions at the peace confer
ence that they are relying on an Anglo
American community of interest for
the preservation Of world peace.
America in Turkey and Great Britain
in Egypt would be q combination of
similar interests furthering such an
Anglo American entente.
Although it is believed President
Wilson personally is favorable to the
proposal that America should take a
certain share of the respons biity for
the Near East, it is understood that
he is reluctant and, indeed, unwilling
to make a move which ne believes
would not be supported in America. and
which would involve a departure from
American traditions Of non-p -participa-
ton in European affairs. The alterna-
tive remaining to Great Britain is that
of insuring Turkey some sort of au-
tonomy. with the British predominant
in the councils of the Sultan and the
Turkish government.
Running counter 20 the British pol
icy in the Near East is the Greek
claim to the Asia Minor littoral on the
Egean Sea, as well as Greek aspira-
tions toward Constantinople as the seat
OF the Greek Patriarch in the ancient
Byzantine capital. Venizelos and the
Greek delegates at Paris did not ex-
pect to gain Constantinople, but they
have been insisting upon Smyrna and
the Asia Minor coast