The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-31
PERIL IS SEEN IN
AMERICAN RULE
OF ASIA MINOR
Mandate Demanded by
Crane Commission Radical
Departure From Policy.
MEANS ARMY OF $4,000
Direct Conflict With Claims
of British and French
Certain to Follow.
WILSON ORDERED REPORT
Favorable Action by Congress
Would End All Hopes of
Zionist State.
ORDERED REPORT
by LAURENCE HILLS.


Copyright. 1919, all rights rescrred
PARIS. Aug. 3o.-If Congress follows
the recommendations of the Crane
commission for the investigation OF
mandates in Turkey the United states
not only would involve itself in the
affairs of Aaa Minor but it would be
on a more ambitious scale than any
plan heretofore suggested by advo-
Gates of mandates for America.
Trouble is foreshadowed IL Presi-
dent Wilson should take seriously the
Crane suggestions and advance them
when the Turkish negotiations are
taken up, inasmuch as they would
bring the United States in direct con-
fiict with the British claims in Mesc-
potamia and the French claims in
Syria.
This commission, consisting Of
Charles r. Crane and D. r. King,
president OF Oherlin College, was ap-
pointed by President Wilson before he
left Paris as members OF what origi-
nally was intended to be an interallied
commission. Because the French saw
in this a possible dispute OF their
Syrian claims they refused to appoint
French members: the British with
drew the members they had desig-
mated President Wilson nevertheless
ordered the Crane commission to in
vestigate Syria as we'll as other parts
Of Asia Minor. which already has pro-
voked French protestations.
seeks United states Protection.
While the larger part OF the report
has not been made public yet, enough
has been disclosed to show that the
extent and scope OF its recommendation
would startle the most ambitious OF
European aspirants for mandatory
privileges. The report. which was
drawn UP after more than sixty days
spent In the ancient Bible lands, vir-
tually calls for American protection for
Armenia, Mesopotamia, syria and
Palestine.
1t advocates acceptance by the United
States of a mandate from the League
OF Nations over this territory with the
exception OF a small section known as
Christian Lebanon on the ground that
America is the first choice of the popu-
lations-this despite the fact that most
of this territory now is under the de
facto occupation of French. British or
Greek troops.
Although no portion of Turkey proper
is involved in the Crane plan. only the
Arabic, non-Turkish regions being men-
toned, It includes considerable terri
tory over which the United States has
no claim, historical. cultural or other
wise. and which would be a serious en-
croachment upon French and British
spheres of influence.
In the report attention is called to
an Anglo French declaration three days
before the armistice which was scat
tered broadcast throughout this region.
This manifesto asserts II to be the aim
of the French and British Governments
to establish a full measure of self-gov-
ernment everywhere throughout the
Turkish empire to permit the inhabitants
TO develop according TO their own free
ernments set up in those regions when
they finally are constituted
Distrust Intentions.
This declaration. Crane asserts. was
found throughout the entire region, but
wherever they travelled they found a
manifest distrust of the intention of the
French and British. According to Crane
the belief was expressed that II the
United states established itself in that
region II would live up to the spirit of
that declaration.
Judging from so much of the Crane
report as has been revealed II appears
that the United States would have 10
furnish a minimum OF $4,000 troops
for duty In Asia Minor, a force consid-
erably smaller. the report points out.
than would be required by any other
Power that might undertake the man.
date. The size of the army required
however, would depend to some extent
upon the plan adopted-that is, whether
there would be one general mandate for
the whole region or separate mandates
for Armenia. Mesopotamia and Syria,
Tha acceptance of the Crane recon-
mendations also would put an end to all
dreams of a Zionist state or homeland,
so zealously advocated by Foreign Sec
retary Balfour. Crane apparently was
impressed by the Syrians and returns
advocating the creation of Greater
Syria" comprising the French Syrian or
Lebanese zone. a large part OF the
Druzes inhabited region and the entire
Jewish settlement or Zionist colony.
Crane believes that such things as
ninorltles should not stand in the way
OF Satisfying the aspirations of a nation
alist movement like that of the Syrians.
The acceptance of his recommendations
is inconceivable to many here; II Is
ponted out that 1t would be the most
radical departure from the traditional
policy OF the United States that ever
has been proposed.
THE PLAZA,