The New York herald., 1922-09-27
AMERICA NDORSES
ALLIED PEACE NOTE
Washington in Complete Sym
pathy With the Proposal to
Turkish NatiOnalists.
FOR FREEDOM OF STRAITS
Will Steer Clear Of Political
and Territorial Questions
in Near East.
FOR FREEDOM OF STRAITS
Special Dispatch to THE New YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
IYashlnnfo n Z. Sent I

Special Dispatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. G.. Sept. 26.
The United States Government Is in
complete sympathy with the underly-
ing principles of the tentative peace
proposal made by the allied Govern
ments to the Turkish Nationalisrs as
the basis for a settlement Of the Near
East question
Americas attitude was made plain
to-day when Secretary of State Hughes
issued a formal statement regarding
the allied proposals and declaring. In
effect, that any permanent settlement
of the straits problem should provide
for the freedom Of the Dardanelles, the
Sea of Marmora and the Bosporus
Protection OF racial and religious mi
norities III the affected areas or The
Near East as set forth in the allied
proffer is regarded by this country as
one of the prerequisites or a stable So
luton. Secretary Hughes declared.
1t Is the hope OF this Government
that pending the outcome of the pro-
posed Near East conference the straits
will be kept open to the shipping of
the world as heretofore. Secretary
Hughes declined to comment on the
political and territorial phases of the
problem, it being the belief here that
81 ..,fn q
policy of neutrality in the military
political and territorial tangle precipi-
tated by the advance of the Turkish
Nationalists.
The Statement.
THE American Government" declared
the Hughes statement. 'is gratified to
observe that the proposal Of the three
allied governments seeks to insure ef-
fectlvely the liberty OF the Dardanelles.
the Sea Of Marmora and the Bosporus,
as well as protection OF racial and re-
ligious minorities' These points Of the
proposal are clearly IN accordance with
American sentiment
This Government also trusts that
suitable arrangements may be agreed
upon IN the interest of peace TO preserve
the freedom OF the straits pending the
conference to conclude a final treaty OF
peace between Turkey. Greece and the
Allies"
While there II no change In the deter
nination OF this Government 70 steer
clear Of the discussion of political and
territorial questions In the disputed
areas of the Near East. no secret Is made
that Il II deeply interested In Develop
ments there While no announcement
was made to that effect II II taken that
the allied Powers have been informed
of the extent ot Americas interest In
the situation.
The question % plc straits assumes a
vital importance from this country's
standpoint because ~ the ever increas-
ing importance of the United States a.
commercial Power. coupled with the
o. merchant marine now ply
ing the trade routes Of the world.
Ru--is'. situation.
While Russia's commerce Il at pres
cnt comparatively unimportsnt all COM
mercial nations look forward 20 the day
~ rehabilitation, and n has been an
axiom Of international politics for cen
turtles that the Power which controls the
straits controls the resources ~ Russia
r. large extent. The control of the
straits by any ono Power would mili-
tate against the principle of tho open
eoor Of equal opportunity" of which INC
Administration has been a
consistent champion IN All parts of the
world.
Besides this interest In tho freedom OK
the straits for the commerce or the
v orld. including America, the United
States has certain other Definite rights
and interests m the Near East, rights
accrulng 20 American citizens by virtue
% capi,uiatory treaties. under the terms
of which American citizens have re-
course 10 American courts instead of
Turkish courts. Although Turkey dc.
clared these treaties null and void In
1914 and some countries accepted the
allied governments and tho
United states demurred, this Govern
rient consistently taking the position
that these rights are still extaut
There Is third rroup % interests
over which. because of 'neiT character
rather than material ~ financial value.
the United states ~ always aollcitous
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