The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-11-17
DISCUSSES NEAR
EAST SITUATION
Lord Robert Cecil Explains
These/Problems
USE OF DARDANELLES
Straits Under Control League of
Nations Will Solve Greatest
Difficulty

London, November 11.-[Corres-
pondence of The Associated PressI
Lord Robert Cecil, one of the
creators of the League Of Nations,
and now prominent in its councils,
discussed the Near East situation
today. Analysing the problems that
viii confront delegates to the APP
preaching conference on the neu-
tiaiization Of the pardaneiles, which
is TO follow the Near East Peace
Conference, Lord Robert DECLARED
That In his opinion, and alsdsin the
opinion OF League members who have
studied the situation, there is no
satisfactory solution possible except
TO hand over the Straits to Leas ue
control, now that both sides oil the
Dafdaneiles apparently are to be-
e0ine Turkish territory.
The question now resolves itself
into getting Turkey to assent in Prin-
cfII.e to freedom of the straits. sub
3ect to her own hetligerent rights,
nor to maintain submarine bases
there" he added. "These arrange
ments should be in charge of the
League Of Nations, which would
make an annual report OF the situa-
ton. A distinct advantage of this
arrangement is that no armed forces
woNd be required by the League to
carry out the provisions"
View Now Holding
1t Is polluted out in this connec-
ton that a view now holding is
that when any nation is at war, it's
entire civil population likewise is at
war. its entire civil population like
wise Is at war, therefore food and
other supplies destined for any civil
population may be stopped If the
This reason, those studying the
N Oblem OF the Straits assert that II
VAR occurred between states Dor
asing on Turkey. the latter would
find it to her financial interest to
Insist on the Straits remaining neu.
tIal, but on the other hand, il Iur-
hey were directly involved in a war,
ito stretch of di5i0matic imagination
Jild tor6see her going against her
own military interests 10 permit
Neutral VESSELS of war or commerce
10 pass through the Straits.
II Is noted that the. freedom Of the
Straits once was considered neces-
rar::, especially in case of a general
heAAI WIN -IluSu up DIS d
" can ally. IL is pointed out new.
lioa ever, that>in tir event Of q new
war, Russia probably would be ar
rayed against Europe, In which case
no matter what treaty stipuiations
had been drawn up, the Western
ELTefs would be expected to place
war vessels at the Aegean end of
the Straits to block the exit.
Make League Control, Asset
II is mentioned, for Instance, that
in case of war between Rumania
end Turkey. the neutral powers
N.E:ild find interests in the struggle
h!eh would make League control
Gi the Straits distinct asset. How
to fo-Rfy the Straits by individual
nations or even by the League is
tut OF the question because Of the
CEormous expense that would be
involved. It is estimated that to
ECutTalike the Straits would require
:; PEI manent army of 10000. Am
= flying his plan for League control,
Lord Robert continued:
Amy international supervision of
The Straits is surf to be found i'm
Practicable. The League of Nations
ELL have. to do It without armed
+. ces. The League is doing well at
: hhZIS' CNOu 1t udS q Given
territory tC survey, and it will not
need at tho Straits any special neu-
ttal zone. 80. ~s-.
IN O der TO deal with the situation,
e arc obliged. to cast our pre- war
conceptions over board. 1t is curious
hut most people who discuss the
Straits still think in terms of eight
ytaHs ago. Although freedom Of the
Straits has ceased to be important
ir the old sense. they will stiil prove
to be burden to the Turks, and
we help to neutralize them, 1t will
be financial advantage tc Turke.