The New York herald., 1922-09-24
Declares Kemalist Army Must
BE Kept From Starting New
Balkan War.
FIRM FOR FREE STRAITS
Explains His Position in De-
tail and Asserts He Seeks to
Avert Conflict.

LONDON. Sept. % (Associated Press).
The policy OF Great Britain in the
Near East IL to establish the freedom
Of the Dardanelles under the super
vision of the League Of Nations, de-
clarcd Prime Minister Lloyd George
in statement at q conference with
the newspaper men this afternoon
Mr.. Lloyd George said that what
ever steps the Government had taken
TO strengthen the military and naval
forces in the Dardanelles and the Bos-
porus had been dictated by two su-
preme considerations: First, Our anx-
iety as to the freedom of the seas
between the Mediterranean and the
Black Sea-" and, second. TO prevent
this exceptionally horrible war from
spreading into Europe"
The Prime Minister declared at the
outset he would like TO make 1t clear
that any action taa' had been taken
had nothing to do with the merits or
demerits OF the case under dispute
between Greece and the Turks.
The British Government said the
Premier, had been impartial as between
the Greeks and the Turks. He pointed
out that a few weeks ago the Greeks
threatened to march on Constantinople.
and at that time Gen. Harrington, :he
British general in chief command at
Constantnople, had warned the Greeks
in Identical terms as the warning now
given to Mustapha kemal Pasha.
Importance OF straits.
In dealing with the question OF the
freedom of the straits lir. Lloyd George
said that what had happened in the
late war demonstrated how vital was
the freedom of these narrow seas to
the protection of commerce and TO
humanity in its broadest aspects.
The closing of the straits by Turkey
during the late war. he declared was
responsible for the disaster ''of one of
our strongest allies and the defeat OF
Rumania. and prolonged the war by at
least two years"
In pointing out Great BrItain's inn
psrtialty as shown by her warning to
the Greeks. Mr. LLOYD George added
I'VE acted then in the interest OF
peace. The same motive is inspiring
our action to-day.
Mr.. Lloyd George in his statement
said:
I'm view OF the misapprehension as
to the character of the difficulties
which have arisen in the Near East
wish to make a statement as to the
actual facts and position.
II should like at the very outset to
make it clear that any action We have
taken during the last few days has
nothing to do with the merits or de-
merits OF the dispute between the
Greeks and the Turks.
Whatever settlement Is effected OF
either Anatolia or Thrace that Il a
matter for determination BY a confer
encc between the Allies and the bel
ligerents and any steps we have taken
TO strengthen our military and naval
forces in the Dardanelles and the
Bosphorus have nothing whatever to
do with any considerations Of that
kind.
"Our action has been dictated by two
supreme considerations. One is our anx-
ety as 10 the freedom OF the seas Lv-
tween the Mediterranean and the Black
Sea. That Is the first and primary con-
sIderation In directing our actions. What
happened IN the late war has demon-
strated clearly TO the British Empire
how vital the freedom Of those various
seas Is to the security OF the empire. 10
the protection OF our commerce and 10
humanity in Its broadest aspects.
Charges Pcrfdy 70 Turkey.
The closing OF the straits against us
BY n Power which owed probably more
10 Great Britain. and certainly "a Great
Britain and France together than to
any other Power In the world. was an
act OF perfidy which cost us dearly ft
was directly responsible for the collapse
Of our most powerful ally In that quar-
ter OF the globe. and was also RESPONSE
bic for the defeat OF Rumania.
These two disasters had the effect OF
prolonglng tho war at least two years
and adding enormously 70 the loss OF life
and to the devastation and destruction
which II will take many years If not a
whole generation 10 repair. Il Is an
essential condition Of world peace that
there shall be an effective guaranty for
the freedom OF those seas In the future.
Il, peace were signed without the achieve
ment of that object It would be eaulvs-
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