The Cordova daily times., 1922-08-28
INQUIRY TO PROBE
 TURKISH ATROCITIES"

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2S.-Opportun ity to settle the ancient controversy as to whether the Turks are the most barbarous race in the world or the most maligned is expected to be given when the joint American and Al lied Commissions recently authorized have completed their investigations of alleged atrocities in the Near East.
 It was due largely to the stipulation of Secretary of State Hughes in ac- cepting the British invitation to join in the inquiry, that provision was made for an investigation of conditions in territories occupied by Greek forces as we'll as those under control of the Turks. j -r~
 For generations it has been custom ary to recount the barbarities of the "unspeakable Turk and these ac- counts were the more readily accepted in the Western world because many of them were said to be directed against the Christian Armenians. From time to time, however. reports have filtered
 in from travellers and investigators which seemed to throw some doubt upon the orthodox stories of Turkish cruelty It was suggested that the Turks themselves were often the vic tins of retaliatory or even unpro- voked measures which were far from humane.
 In accepting the invitation of the British government to participate in the proposed investigation, Secretary Hughes declared the situation of Christians in Turkey has enlisted "to marked degree the sympathies Of the American people," that the work of benevolent and educational institu- tions in Turkey "has steadily been hampered"; that the rights of Ameri- can citizens in Turkey "have often been disregarded" and the property rights of Americans and other for eigners placed in jeopardy
 HUGHES MAKES CONDITIONS
 Hughes made it clear, however, that in accepting the invitation the United States understands the proposed ac- tion is limited in scope to an inquiry to obtain accurate data as to the situ- ation in Anatolia for the information of the governments participating therein" and that this government "as- sumes no further obligation and en- ters into no commitments"
 Much of the material for charges of discrimination against Americans by the Turks was furnished by Major F. B. Yowell, of Washington, D. C., who for some time was director of the Near East Relief at Harput, and by Dr. Mark L. Ward, chief surgeon at that station. These Americans have re- iterated their charges in face of re- peated denials by the Turkish authori- ties.
 In his reply to the British govern bent, Secretary Hughes stated Presi- dent Harding was prepared to desig- nate an officer or officers to take part in the proposed inquiry ''in view of the humanitarian considerations which are involved and of the desire of this government to have adequate infor- nation through thorough and impar- tial investigation of the actual condi- tions prevailing in Anatolia, in order that this government may determine it's future policy in relation to the au- thorities concerned"
 While charges of Turkish atroci- ties have been numerous and sensa- tional there also have been similar charges against the Greeks. These in- clude the burning of houses, destruc- tion of crops and violation of women, while there are numerous accusations of murder and deportation.