The New York herald., 1922-12-06
Child TELLS TURKS
AMERICAN POSITION;
u. s. HOLDS BALANCE
While Aiding Britain Will
Not Support Her Desires
in Black Sea.
ALLIES In AGREEMENT
Oppose Turk Fortifications
in Straits and Reject
Ban OH Warships.
RUSSIA FEARS ENGLAND
Tchitchcrin Says British Pol
icy in East Perils Washing
ton Naval Treaties.
RUSSIA FEARS ENGLAND
BY LAURENCE HILLS.

BY LAURENCE HILLS.
Special Gable to The NEW York HERALD.
Copyright, 1922, By The NEW YoRK HERALD.
LAUSANNE, Dec. 5.--The Allies have
drawn up reply in general terms to
the Russian position on the Darda-
nelles and the Bosporus, but at late
hour tonight 1t was still uncertain
whether a meeting would be held to-
morrow. Meanwhile. emphasizing
what was stated in these dispatches
this morning as to the United States
finding itself occupying more or less
decisive role in the combat between
eastern and western Europe over the
Dardanelles and Rosporus, Ismet
Pasha had three hours conference
with Ambassador Richard w. Child.
Diplomatic attention was centered
upon this conference, which went on
while Great Britain, France and Italy
were trying to agree on their reply to
the Russians Here is the situation
as it stands tonight.
First-The Allies. although agreeing
upon the general reply to be made, re-
jecting the Russian proposition for the
straits being closed to all warships and
fortified or controlled by Turkey. which
they will not tolerate even IL 1t means
war, nevertheless are not in agreement
as to the exact freedom to be allowed
ships OF war. This is weakness In the
allied front, the French again revealing
to-day some Of their old jealousy or
British naval domination. and standing
ott for restrictions as to tonnage and
number OF war vesselsJto be admitted
through the straits.
ItaIianA-spemand OH.
second--The Italians. evidently di-
rected from Rome by Premier Mussolini.
have begun to press on Great Britain
the demand for equal participation as
the price of their agreeing to the British
straits policy. They demand participa-
ton in the Mosul oil fields. These de-
mands, II accorded. would require new
division of the participation lately dis
cussed in London and would reduce the
American share
Thrd--The American delegation has
received explicit instruction from Wash
ington to state the American position
concerning the straits, but only when II
appears that the plan advanced here for
a straits regime conflicts with American
interests. A statement cabled from
Washington will be read by Mr. Child
Immediately after the allied reply Is sent
the Russians. The American statement.
Il is understood. does not support the
British contention for all absolutely un-
restricted waterway for warships, which
would permit control of the straits by
Great Britain.
Fourth-The Turks are neither for the
Russian plan. fearing the perpetual mem
ace of the Russians. nor for the British
warship plan, which is considered
menace TO Constantinople; and they are
consequently hoping. as a member Of their
delegation explained to THE NEW YoRK
HERALD correspondent, that America
can suggest some compromise that will
avert rupture.
IL is this situation that makes the
Interview of Ismet Pasha with Mr.. Child
loom tonight as of the highest inn
portance. The American position was
gone over fully with the Turkish leader.
as were also Washington's views regard
Ing minorities and capitulations. The
vital point Is that the wavering position
OF the Turks on this issue, which can
mean peace or. war for Europe. is more
or less under the influence of the Amer
leans.
Interview with Tchitchcrin.
British pretensions on the Black Sea
are absolutely inconsistent with the
spirit of the Washington treaty. and will
defeat naval disarmament such as tn.
United states proposed. so long as trey
are maintained" George Tchtcherin.
head OF the Russian delegation. told
THE NEW York HERALD correspondent
to-day
"The initiative of the American Gov
crnment In promoting general naval dis
armament was most promising one"
the Soviet Foreign Commissioners con-
tinued Russia would welcome any
really effective scheme for disarmament
on the sea, but II ls obvious that such
an agreement leaving Russia out CANNOT
bring about effective results.
"The whole policy of Great Britain in
the Near East is such as to bring about
the undoubted failure even OF the partial
results obtained In Washington. Great
Britain has concentrated In the straits
to-day an enormous fleet. as well as an
Immense amount OF aircraft. With such
q threatening naval and air base di-
rected agdnst us we shall be compelled
10 launch ourselves upon armaments
with which to defend our coasts and our
southern regions.
"The only way of ending the clash of
conflicting forces In the Near Eaet is
system of complete cloture of the straits
20 all warships and aircraft. So long as
the straits are not closed but are the
strategical base for naval Powers there
will be no real peace on the Black . a
and no possible disarmament. A COM
mercal open door in the straits Is pos
sible only II they are closed to war craft.
''ff our proposal Is not adopted at
lausanne IL will mean continuance of
the present troubled state In the Near
East and cause the failure OF all schemes
for naval disarmament like that OF
Washington. Any general scheme for
disarmament involving all the naval
Powers has our full support but the
British position on the Black Sea Is the
complete antthesis of the Washington
idea. compelling Russia inevitably to
arm on the seas and thereby Illustrate