Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-10-03
j. {. To REMAIN
NEUTRAL IN THE
NEAR EAST ROW,
HUGHES STATES
Methodist Bishop Would
Have America Use Armed
Forces, If Necessary, to
Protect Christians,
NO ACTION HAS BEEN
TAKEN BY CONGRESS
Government Has Not Failed
to Make the Sentiment OF
Our People Understood,
Says Secretary,

Washington, Aug. 2.-Secretary
Hughes declared tonight in a cable
message to DR.. James Cannon, Js.,
bishop of the Methodist Episcopal
church. south, who is in Paris, that
the American government, In ref
erence to the Near Eastern situa-
ton, has not failed in any way to
make the sentiment of the Amerl-
can people understood ana TO tahe
very appropriate action
"The executive" Mr.. Hughes ad-
ded has no authority to go beyond
this and there has been no action
nv congress which would JUSTIFY
this government in an attempt by
armed force to. pacify the Near
East, or to engage In acts OF war
in order to accomplish the results
YOU desire with respect TO the IN
habitants of that territory and 10
determine the problems which
have vexed Europe for genera
tons
The message was in reply TO one
from Bishop Cannon under date OF
SeDtember so, in which he declared
his personal belief that Christian
America will insist the government
Of the United States cooperate
and actively protect Christians In
Asia Minor, not only diplomatcal,
w. but if necessary with army ana
navy to secure their result.
Thousands Murdered.
"prompt definite American de
nands," Bishop Cannon continued
"supported il necessary by Amer
can naval units present probably
have prevented, or certainly greatly
minimized Smyrna fires ana mas,
sacres. l believe Almighty 6ou
will hold the government responsi-
bic for inaction while thousahus
were murdered and deported anu
for failure to protect against detl-
ant, heartless, brutal kemalst an
nouncement that all refugees
not removed by today Saturday
he deported, which deportation
p,oapa ffo,ysapttq NGorc added %
dead OF previous Turkish deporta
tions, VIII not our governments
realize its opportunity and respon-
sibility as great Christian natlon
politically disinterested, to demand
that burnings, outrages, mas
sacres cease and thus effectively
prevent probable repetition in coz
stantinople and Thrace of 1915,
Sansoun and Smyrna horrors. !
believe world wide humanity would
tremendously approve
Who would dare condemn pro-
Shall America have condemnation
of Meroz? Judges five, twenty
three.
In reply Secretary Hughes said;
Influence EXerted.
"Your telegram September 80
reached me this morning. In the
present situation which has result
ed from the clash of arms, the de-
feat of the Greek forces. the lnci-
dents of the retreat and the repris-
ais effected, not only have we done
all that Is possible for selief ana
in aid of the refugees, but we have
exerted in an appropriate manner
our influence against all acts OF
cruelty and oppression.
"On September s, before the
burning of Smyrna, the American
high commissioner at Constantine
nile voiced this country's feeling in
| earnestly impressing upon the Tur-
kish nationalist authorities the I'M
portance of taking the most ener-
getic steps to insure the popula-
ton of the occupied territory
against reprisals. Instructions
have been sent to continue and
urge these representations and to
emphasize the importance OF in1-
mediate peaceful settlement In the
interest of humanity. l have stated
| this governments unequivocal ap-
| proyal of the allied proposals To
insure effectively the protection of
| the Christian minorities and the
| freedom OF the straits. American
officials have interviewed to secure
the prolongation Of the time limit
| evacuation of the refugees from
Smyrna and thousands have been
evacuated as the result of Ameri-
can initiative.
"You will also recall that in June,
last we agreed to join in an inquiry
which we hoped would place re
sponsibility and prevent the recuf-
renee OF atrocities.
Alive to Interests Involved.
| "Keenly alive to every humanita :
riau interest involved. this govern =
ment has not failed in any way 70
make the sentiment OF the Ameri-
can people understood and to take
every appropriate action. n Is
! hardly necessary to add that we
have taken every measure for the
protection of American interests,
"As you are probably aware. the
| executive has\ no authority to &c
beyond this and there has been nc
action by congress which would
Justify this government in an at-
tempt by armed forces to pacity
the Near East or to engage N
acts OF war in order to accomplish
the results you desire with respect
to the inhabitants of that territory
and to determine the prob
lens which have vexed Eu'
ropa FOR ppnera tiOns"