The New York herald., 1922-12-04

bidden to ships of war of ali classes, the
sovereignty of the straits to rest with
Turkey. which will have the right to
fortify them. This is to be followed,
Russia. promises. by a plan for the dis
armament OF all Black Sea States. Rus
STA included, which will be virtually
equivalent to neutraliaed Black Sea.
The Turkish position is: The straits to
be completely demilitarized, open to
ships of commerce and not entirely for
hidden to warships. but for the protec-
ton Of Constantlnople there must be q
stipulation that only one warship at q
time be permitted In the entire water
way. The sovereignty of the straits to
be absolutely conceded to Turkey, which
rejects the idea of control either by a
commission or by the League of Nations.
Tho Russians have striven hard all
day to swing their supposititious allies
over to their plan for absolutely closing
the straits TO all war ships and thus cir
cumventing the British naval policy, as
they see it. for the maintenance of
British Black Sea fleet to cover the oil
supplies in Asia Minor and protect the
Balkan States. They have pointed out
that they are prepared to support the
entire Turkish national pact. IN return
for which they expect Turkey to stand
with them 10 the last ditch against what
they are contending/is nothing iess than
British domination Of the straits and the
Black Sea under the guise OF interna-
tional control
But the Turks are showing some sus-
picion of the Russians They seem TO
fear that Russia with her tremendous
resources could menace them at any time
with the straits closed to all war ships
and thus would have Turkey more or
less in her power.
In this discussion the interesting fact
stands out OF the complete reversal OF
the historic positions of the nations as
they are now lined up. for since the
Crimean war Il has been Russia who
wanted the straits open to war ships and
the Allies that compelled them to be
closed, thus crippling for the last sixty
years Russia's effectiveness as q naval
power.
French Work on Turks.
The real battle here. II was admitted
by one OF the highest British authorities
attending the conference, is between
Russia and England, with the issue turn
Ing on whether or not the Russians can
line up the Turks. While the Turks yes
terday appeared to be swinging over 10
the Russian view. the situation has
changed again to-day, which is believed
to be the result OF the French working
very industriously on the Turks.
Despite the outburst in the French
press some time ago about British con-
troll, France now has agreed completely
to the British plan. even If II means
actual. IL not theoretical. control of this
golden gateway by the British. as they
possess the preponderance of naval
80. l..
to talk about an agreement on repara-
tions as the price of France waving her
former objections.
To-morrow's session on the straits.
beginning at II A. NJ. will be marked
by Tchitcherins statement regarding
Russia's demands and his protest against
Russia's exclusion from the conference.
He sent a note tonight 10 the president
OF the conference protesting against the
exclusion of the Russians from all ses-
sions except those regarding the straits.
Russia according to the spokesmen OF
her delegation. Is making her great play
before the world now for disarmament,
to which it is complained Great Brit
aims new Black Sea designs are an
absolute menace. Having already called
a disarmament conference OF tho Bal
kan States Russia is prepared to call
another OF all the riparian Black Sea
states, including Rumania. TO take I'D
among other things the settlement OF the
Bessarabian question, but all this on
condition that the straits be closed TO
warships
Otherwise. the Russians say. they will
have to build a feet themselves The
trouble is that the Turks some time ago
committed themselves 10 demiltarized
straits and even TO international inspec-
tion, their sole condition being proper
protection for Constantinople The Rus
slams say that the Turkish idea OF per-
hitting only one warship at time in
the straits would mean the creation Of
British feet in tho Black Sea before
they could have n fleet OF their own.