Evening star., 1922-06-04
i. S. ACCEPTS PART
IN ALLIED PROBE OF.
TURKISH ATROCITIES
RepiY to Britain Limits Ac-
tivity to Search for
True Facts.
HUGHES'REPLY ASSUMES
NO FURTHER OBLIGATION
Would Assign Officers to Greece,
if Permitted to Watch for
Retaliation.

The American government has ac-
cepted the invitation of Great Brit
ain to be represented on the COM
mission which is to investigate al
legged Turkish atrocities in Anatolia.
In announcing the decision yester-
day, however, the State Department
emphasized that, as understood here,
the commissions duties are to be
limited to making an inquiry into
conditions purely for the information
of the governments participating.
The United States,'i was said, does
not by its participation assume any
further obligation or enter into any
commitment
The American governments de-
cision was announced in the follow
ing statement by Secretary Hughes:
''On May Is, 1922, note was re-
ceived from the British ambassador
referring to reports of the renewal of
the deportation of Christians by the
Turkish authorities at Angora and
the alleged atrocities connected
herewith and communicating a pro-
posal of the British government that
the American, British, French and
Italian governments should at once
depute carefully selected officers to
proceed to such places in Anatolia
as might best enable them to con-
duct an appropriate investiga ton.
Fear Retaliation.
I'm a subsequent memorandum of
Maybe the British ambassador indi-
and outrages might lead to retalia-
tory action In territory held by the
Greek forces and suggested that the
government of the United States
should join in requesting the author
tiles functioning in Greece to per-
nit the dispatch of officers to regions
under Greek occupxsion.- t.-,z
In answering these communica-
tions the Secretary of State has said
that the situation of the Christian mi
norities in Turkey had enlisted to
marked degree the sympathies Of the
American people, and it has been
noted with deep concern that the
work of benevolence and educational
institutions in Turkey has steadily
been hampered. that the rights which
American citizens have long enjoyed
in Turkey in common with the ma
tionals Of other powers have often
been disregarded, and the property
rights and interests of Americans and
other foreigners placed in Jeopardy.
Seek Accurate Data.
TN view of the humanitarian con-
siderations which are involved and
Of the desire of this government to
have adequate information through a
thorough and impartial investigation
Of the actual conditions prevailing in
Anatolia, in order that this govern
ment may determine it's future policy
in relation to the authorities concern
ed, the President is, prepared to des-
ignate an officer or officers to take
part in the proposed inquiry.
I'm informing the British govern
menr of the foregoing the govern
ment of the United States has made 1t
clear that the proposed action is lin
tied in scope to an inquiry to obtain
accurate data as to the situation in
Anatolia, for the information of the
governments participating therein,
and has stated that this government
assumes no further obligation and en-
ters into no commitments.
'In order to expedite the inquiry it
was at the same time suggested by
this government that officers should
be designated by the respective gov
ernments to institute inquiries con-
currently in the districts respectivelv
under Greek and Turkish occupation,
and that these wo~commissions, upon
the completion of their investigation
should unite in comprehensive re-
port"