Norwich bulletin., 1922-11-01
|. $. NOTE ON NEAR EAST
 DELIVERED TO THE ALLIES

Washington. Oct. 31 CBy the A. r.).- The American government, in notes de- lfvered today tosthe British, French and Italian embassies hece. formally declined to participate iE the Near East peace conference, scheduled to be held in Lau- anEe. Switzerland, next month. Later :he stEtc department made, public this governments position on the conference as outlined in tho aide memoire which was transmitted yesterday to the three governments concerned through the American embassies at London, Paris and Rome.
 Reference to the aide menoire" was made in the formal reply to the allied notes inviting participation but which were not received by the state depart. ment until' after the "aide memoire car. rying instructions regarding the AmeCi- can view had been despatched to the American representatives in the three foreign capitals. The formal replies, like the formal invitations were directly worded and explained that the United States would send only observers to tho Lausanne meeting, and added that tha conference was primarily a peace con ference to end a war in which the United States was not belligerent.
 In the aide memoire' upon which tn formal replies were based certain sub jects of particular Amercan concern" a the conference are enumerated as fol lows:
 "1-The maintenance of capitulation which may be essential to the appro priate safeguarding of non-Moslem inter ests. s
 "o-The protection. under proper guar antces eE shilaBthrcpic, educational ant AHI rirNrT tkNw&N Nr4c "S-Appropriate undertakings in re gard to the freedom of opportunity, with out discrimination or special priyilege for commercial enterprise.
 "4-Indemnity for losses suffered b, Americans in Turkey as d result of arbi trary and illegal acts.
 "5-Suitable provisions for the protec tion of minorities.
 "6-Assurances touching the freedom of the straits.
 '7-ReasonabIe opportunity for arch | geological research and study" The "aide memoire" continues: '.This brief summary, while not e1 haustive. may serve to indicate the gen eral nature of American interests. T safeguard such interests and to facilitat the exchange of views, the government C the United States is prepared to sen I this action is agreeable to the power concerned"
 "As the object in view in submittin this suggestion is the elimination of an possible cause of misunderstanding. 1t Econsidered appropriate to. call attentio to the attitude of the United States respect to secret treaties and agreement It is not felt that arrangements prev tously made with respect to Turkish tel ritory. which provide for the establisl ,ment of zones of special commercial ar lAeconemic influence, such, for exarrole, z the tcipartite agreement of 1920. are coI
 sonant with the principle of the equalit of economic opportunity. It Is assume that the allied powers will not now d.
 sire. and do not now intend, to carry frs effect previous, arrangements of this ni
 ture
 "The United States has no desire take any action which might embarra
 the allied powers in the proper effort
 secure peace. It desires nothing whiC need conflict with the interests of oth ;; countries, if the principle of commerci opportunity for all nations is recognize [ at the outset. The United States has intention of seeking for itself or its n ltionals position of special privilege
 but it desires to protect it's rights and lassure the open door. Finally, 1t wish , to afford protection to its citizens WI
 wish to continue the humanitarian wo which has been Sarried on for gener tions in the Near East and is render
 more essential than ever by the prese lconditions."