The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-10-15

II agreed to it and therefore I have
no right to criticlse either Mr.. Asquith
or Lord Grey, but am. however. bound
to confess IL was a very short sighted
policy. 1t was n mistake, but we were
all in It. What was the other thing,
that happened? The Italian Ministry,
responsible for taking southern Ana
tolia into occupation by Italy, fell and
Il new Ministry came into power with
other ideas.
And ii very nearly brought upon the
cause of the Allies an irreparable disas-
ter. But apart from that 1t is the only
road to the fairway of the Black Sea,
where you have got raw materials and
food-surplus raw food in times of
peace--n normal times such as no other
part of Europe could supply. and Of the
commerce in that part of the world one
third of il has always been by British
ships.
VenIzeIos's Fall "A Disaster.
Then came one of the greatest dis
asters OF all-the fall of that great.
wise and sagacious statesman Vent
zelos and the substitution of the feeble
and futile administration that followed
t. Well, all these were circumstances
over which no Government OF this coun-
try had any controls so we have had
TO recast our policy.
I'VE have succeeded i'm the freedom
Of the straits. which is not merely OF
primary British interest but of primary
human interest. We have succeeded
also in holding the peace until you had
esta blished the freedom of that great
gifted people, the Arab race, and also
some sort of protection for the minori-
ties OF eastern Europe.
Neither Grey, Asquith nor myself
are responsible for turning out that
ministry. What is next? The French
defeat at Galicia which made them re-
cast their position. What is next? VIII
son was under the impression that he
could persuade America to take the
mandate over Armenia. Well. Wilson's
health broke down. We have no control
over that.
80 much for that part. might add
just one word here before I dispose Of
this part OF the case about what | said
that these treaties were mine and pre-
pnred by myself. / am fully responsible
for them. but it is supposed that took
them out of the hands Of the Foreign
Office-the treaty OF Sevres and the
others. I shall read a short extract of
o memorandum prepared by the Foreign
Office. not for myself, but the Cabinet
This Is how the treaty Of Sevres was
prepared: a general basis for settle
menu explored by NJ. BertLelot OF the
French Foreign office and Lord Curzon
in December. 1919. at the Foreign Office
all this is supposed to have been done
in Downing Street BY myself and my
socretariat 1aughter), but the Supreme
Council did not assemble until February.
1920. in London. and after several meet
ings delegated the work OF preparing
the treaty to committee OF Foreign
Ministers and Ambassadors sitting at
tho Foreign office
THAT meeting was presided over by
Lord Curzon and | never attended. |
approved IT, Conferences this year on
this matter--thc conferences at the be-
ginning OF the year as well as recent
attended exclusively
by Foreign Ministers ! assented. was
consulted. but Lord Curzon. with his
great ability. his great knowledge and
great experience. conducted the proceed
'ngs
81 think Il necessary 10 say this be-
cause Of the rubblshy statements made
about these treaties having been pre-
pared by the Cabinet socretariat with
out the consent OF The Foreign once.
They were prepared at the Foreign OF
fce. by officials under the chairman
ship Of the Foreign Minister. and I think
II absolutely necessary that this should
be said at the present stage.
Names "Amsteurs."
AS for the amateurs, who are Tic