Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-12-02
j. s. DEMAND
FOR OPEN DOOR
Policy in Turkey Gives Jolt To
Big Three
HIT SECRET REATiES
Japan And All Smaller Nations Re.
joice That Powerful Nation
Spokesman Has Taken Firm
Stand Against Grab Game.

Lausanne. - America gave Great
Britain. France and Italy hard jolt
when her spokesman. Richard Wash
burn Child. declared that the United
States Government has the support
OF the American public in its Opposi-
ton to all secret treaties and agree
ments. particularly those designed TO
create zones OF economic and com
mercial influence, such as the San
Reno tri-partite agreement OF 1920,
which apportiOned the Mesopotamian
oil fields among the three big Powers.
Mr.. Child's exposition was merely
restatement of Secretary Of State
Hughes aide-memoire of October 30.
In which he defined for the benefit
OF the British. French and Italian Gov
ernments the functions OF the Ameri-
can observers to the Lausanne Con-
ference and broadly outlined Amer.
ica's open-door policy for the Near
East-but 1t was a restatement under
conditions that made 1t sensational.
II came as the conference was about
to begin consideration of Turkeys
Asiatic boundaries. and It was a clear
warning that America will not remain
silent IL the three inviting Powers in
sist upon preferential rights in oil.
mineral. railway and power develop.
ment in present Turkish territory, or
in that which was topped of by the
war.
The Turkish delegates had already
made clear that they would insist
upon their country sharing in the
Mosul petroleum field of Mesopotamia,
which the three inviting Powers have
reserved for themselves; consequently
It was not displeasing to the Turks for
the United States to go on record
against the San Reno agreement.
II was not possible for the delegates
OF the inviting Powers to conceal their
Impotence at Americas insistent
reiteration of her policy. which they
resent especially because OF her re-
fusal to accept vote in the confer
ence. to sign any report or TO accept
any responsibility further than to act
as an adviser.
The American observers, It was re-
marked. are dipping into the Lau-
same Conference and displaying
disposition TO enunciate the American
policy. which Is quite unlike their
retiring attitude at previous Euro
pean conferences and which is caus-
ing much surprise among the other
delegations.
The new American attitude. how
ever. is affordng great satisfaction
to the neutral countries represented
here. Apparently authenticated re-
ports that Italy is making her sup
port of the Franco. British position on
German Preparations dependent upon
her receipts of commercial opportuni-
ties equally those of France and Great
Britain in the Near East convinced
the neutrals that the American pro
nouncement of today was justified and
timely.
Japan's position on the open door In
the Nea- East is practically the same
as that of the United States. and all
the lesser powers which cannot single
handed care for their own rights re-
joiced that a powerful spokesman had
taken the stand to assure free trade
In the Levant.
Amba .sador Child was seeking 10
make this plain in his statement to the
Conference.
The United States has specifically
disclaimed any desire for special
treatment in the Near East On the
contrary. the chief desire of the Wash.
ington Government in connection with
the Lausanne proceedings Is known 10
be that the Christian countries should
stand united to maintain in substance
the capitulations in Turkey which
safeguard the nationals of Christian
States who might otherwise be sub
ject TO Moslem laws and customs. But
the possibility must he faced by the
American observer that other States
which enjoy or seek to obtain special
commission considerations in Turkish
territory might be willing 10 forego
certain of their rights under the cap
itulatons in lieu of commercial con-
cessions which could be OF no value
TO American nationals. Such action.
ratified by the forthcoming Lausanne
treaty TO which the United States will
not be a signatory. would render the
subsequent negotiation of a satisfac-
tory treaty of amity with Turkey more
difficult for the Washington Govern
ment.
Rarkad Nv EnuArnpaank