Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-09-27
FREEDOM OF STRAITS,
CARE FOR MINORITIES
Protection for Racial and Re-
ligious Groups Vital Part
of Program.
rAI,rIcIrATIoN IMrnonA BILE:
ofhrinl Washington Declines to Dis
cuss CO-Operation OF This Coun-
try I'm Near Enst.
IEy Associated Press |

WASHINGTON. Sept. 2G.-Allied
proposals TO secure freedom OF the
Dardanelles and protection Of racial
and religious minoritics in ncEotiat-
Ing permanent peace settlement OF
the Near Eastern crisis are clearly
In accord with American sentiment"
secretary Hughes declared today in
tho hTst formal assertion OF Aineri-
can policy toward the Turkish prob.
lem.
AZ tho same time Mr.. Iiughc. took
occasion to express tho trust of
the Washington government that
arrangements would be made to
Keep the straits opcn and maintain
peace pending the conference to
conclude iina! treaty of peace be-
tween Turkey, Greece and the al
lies
Hughes Mnkcs Statement.
The statement Was made in re-
ply to 4 question submitted to Mr..
hughes by the Associated Press as
10 the attitude Of the American
government toward tho peace pro-
posals made by the allies. His an
swer follows:
The American government is
grat!tlcd to observe that the pro-
posal OF the three allied govern
mcnts seeks TO insure effectively tho
liberty OF the Dardanellcs, the Sea
"t Marmora and the Bosporus az
we'll as protection of the racial and
religious mlnorities. These points
are clearly In accord with American
sentiment.
This government also trusts that
suitable arrangements may be agreed
upon in On. interest OF peace TO re-
serve the freedom OF the Straits
pending the conference to conclude
final treaty of peace between Tur-
key and Greece and the allies
VIII Not Discuss Participation.
BEYOND this expression State De-
partment officials declined TO go
further In outlining tho American
attitude. No authoritative state
ment was available as 10 tho possl-
hility that tho Washington govern
moEt would accept an invitation TO
DC represented at the conference or
Venice to negotiate tho peace trcaty
rs the question has not arisen eS-
cept in unofficial reports from Lon
don as to the desire Of the British
government for american par1icl-
patton, il was deemed to bc not now
before tho American government.
Mr.. Hughes declined specifically.
IN answering tho inquiry as to the
American attitude. 10 comment In
any way on any territorial questions
involved in solution OF the present
Near Eastern problem. In this con-
nection. however. il was pointed out
M the department that the points
upon which the secretary did ex-
prcsS the governments views in
v"lvea only matters in which the
United states has very direct in
terest of long standing These In
c!ude free movement between the
Aegca and Black Seas for Amer,-
can vessels; tho rights under treaty
OF the denominational educational
institutions maintained In Turkey by
American religious organizations
and other similar matters. with
the territorial establishments in Tur-
key as result of tho World War
or OF the present Developments due
TO kemaliSt successes she Wash
inSton government Is not now con-
,cerned.
Helps TO Smooth Difficulties.
There was some feeling among Of
hcials that the positive assertion OF
American approval OF tho main allied
principles Of settlement might help
smooth out the situation. It was felt
thht the Kemalist government might
be influenced to a certain extent by
khowlcdEe of the American View
point AS matter OF routine any
governmental pronouncemcnt OF sa ii
Importance s Mr.. Hughes statement
or today is communicated to Amer!-
can diplomatic representatives abroad
Continued on Page 2. Col. IL