The New York herald., 1922-12-07
AMERICAN STAND
DECISIVE FACTOR
Agreement Better Than Force
to Keep Straits Open.


Copyright, 1923, bv THE New YORK HERALD.
LAUSANNE. Dec. 6.--The controversy
over the American statement was due to
its discussion of warships and disarm--
ament. It's potentiality as a decisive
factor was emphasized when the Allies
accepted the American suggestion that
an agreemen was better than force in
keeping the straits open, and handed the
Turks note declaring that they de-
manded no international military occu-
patton under their plan as guaranty
for the liberty OF the straits, but only
the constitution Of a military and naval
commission comprising the interested as
well as the allied Powers.
The American statement was read by
Mr.. Child immediately after Lord Cur
zon's speech stating the allied proposals
and was followed with the closest atten-
tion, due to the fact that II was vir-
tually a neutral observer speaking and
also because It came from nation rec
ognized to have equal naval power with
England. There was absolutely no dis
agreement over free corphercial inter-
course with the Black Sea States and
denial OF the right Of any maritime ma
tion TO control it.
But while clearly taking q stand
against the Russian demand here for a
waterway closed to all warships IL
SeemeQ 10 SOME 10 Imply limited use only
to such warships as pass through athe
+ straits. and so to differ from the allied
proposals. Mr. Chlld's declaration that
.''ships of war are not necessarily agents
Of destruction but, on the contrary may
be agents Of preservation and serve good
and peaceful ends In the prevention OF
disorder and the maintenance of peace
We cannot be satisfied IL our ships OF
war may not pursue their peaceful err
IL
ships may CO." left the conference won-
dering exactly what the Americans
meant by disarmament In the Black Sea
and the straits and as to the use of bat
tleships.N
Tchitchersn PuxsIed.
"The statement OF the American Am
! bassador." said George Tchitcherin, So-
Wit Foreign Commissar. to the corre-
spondcnts this afternoon. requires some
supplementary explanation. II Is SYM
pathetic with the Russian Idea of ex-
Guiding warships. He desires that war
ships should pursue only peaceful err
rands. AS war fleet cannot be pre-
vented pursuing military purposes II Is
+ to be presumed that Mr.. Child means
that only isolated warships may enter
the Black Sch. Such was the case with
American relief and isolated destroyers.
Mr.. Chid's proposal Is one that may be
examined. II II IL conceived In such a
manner to render impossible the utiliza-
tion OF suci war vessels for military
purposes
The allied plan for the straits regime
as presented to-day Is French plan
drawn up before the conference. but
acceded to by the British yesterday
when both the Italians and the French
showed plainly that they would not ac-
cept the British suggestion for an un-
restricted waterway for warships The
most important part OF the project. ac-
cording TO the talk among delegations
is found IN the restriction that no
Power shall send through or have In the
Black Sea force greater than the most
powerful Black Sea nation. meaning
Russia and in the second and curious
provision that should the Black Sea ma
lions decide upon disarmament, as
America virtually is asking here, "the
Powers individually reserve the right
each 10 send through the straits and
maintain In the Black Sea force Of
three ships. not more than one of which
may be vessel exceeding 10. 600 tons. :"
n was this provision which seemingly
Instantly aroused the Russians to-day.
Ms meaning domination OF the Black Sea
by the present allied fleet
- Despite the Russian attitude the Rus
lelans sent military and naval experts to
fhe meeting this afternoon TO examine
IN detail the allied proposals. So did
ffhc Turks. fsmet Pasha said tonight
@"There may be basis for discussion In
tthe allied proposals"
Another, meeting relative TO the
straits has been called for Friday. when
the Russians sin give detailed reply.