The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-05-24
CONSTANT|NOP[E
. PUZZLES SENATORS
Opinion Divided Over Ac-
ceptance of a
Mandate
WILLING TO HELP
CIVILIZATION CAUSE

Walsh Sees Little Expense to Scheme
Would Only Need Officers to Com
mand Natives.
WASHINGTON, May 24-Repeated /
intimations in European cable and other
istration of Constantinople may be Of
fered to the United States have aroused /
much interest here and developed a |
wide variety of opinion as to the advis- /
ability of such a programme. That the I
city even though it remains the nominal |
ceat of Ottoman sovereignty will be al |
lowed to resume its former status as the |
political centre of Islam is generally |
doubted. If the Turk retains the city |
as a nominal capital it is believed he
will do $50 under conditions which will
ilnake ii clear that he is no longer reeog-
nized az an equal among nations, but
rather as in some fashion the suzerain
Of civilization.
Of all the possibilities in the way of
territorial authority that are presented
To this country in connection with the
world re arrangement none attracts the
popular Imagination so much as this of
J Constantinople Even Senator Lodge
! has expressed the view that if any man
| Gates are to be assumed by the United
States that for Constantinople is the
least Objectionable and most attractive.
| 1t would be an eminently dignifed rela-
tionship worthy of the importance and
position of America in the world
But there is widespread distrust of
every suggestion involving entangle-
ment and responsibility in the reshap-.
ing of the European and Eastern world
This indeed is probably the dominating
attitude thus far. Some senators are
unwilling TO express any opinion on
such a specific proposal as that of Com
stantinople until first the full terms Of
the peace can be examined; and second
ii NAV be possible to know what would
be demanded of this. country as man
datoTX,- 3at 10 s4s1of anil ynl,ol .az,l .
while observing that he pretended to no
familiarity with the European and Med
iterranean complications in which Con-
|
4 certainly should not esteem il in
the light of a national calamity as some
have suggested / recall hearing Sena-
tor Hardwick in a speech refer to Ar
I menia and the possibility of our taking
+ 8 mandate there in terms which sug
gested the view hat il would be the
c supreme misfortune that could befall TX
cannot feel that way
= +huf
a mandate would impose a great burden
n upon our national finances. 1t is a ricl
: country. Constantinople is a rich ant
important metropolis. We would not b,
required to maintain great army ther,
!, or any army at all save one of Ameri
can officers in charge Of native troops
e That is the plan by which the Frenel
and English handle their African col
onies; the natives make good. Iowa
;, soldiers.
81 was intensely. hostile to the who'll
&c mandatory provision as it appeared il
the first draft of the treaty. said Sen
ator Norris. Republican, (Nebo. HsRu
rs it appears in the revised covenan
do not think it so objectionable. \,
q nation can be required to assume a man
date if it declines; we would only TAX
what we wanted, and at the outset
should never assent that soldiers shout,
be conscripted for such service
g 1t should be fundamental that onl,
volunteers should be thus employed an,
y doubtless there would be plenty 0
them. The service term should be short
), not over three years and preferab l
,r two Without doubt if it were agree
n that we could best perform such duf,
a it would present an opportunity to 4
J great service for civilization and tn
M world.
Of Senator Frelinghuyscn, Republican
is IN. j.. doubted if il would be advis
to able under any conditions conceivabl
lc for the United States to assume sue
an obligation. 81 doubt if we are oh