Evening star., 1922-01-16
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.
IIy Cable to The Star md Chicago Daily News.
Copyright. 1922

Copyright 1922
CONSTANTINOPLE, Turkey. Janu-
ary 1.-THE American Chamber OF
Commerce in the Levant has handed
to Admiral Bristol memorandum for
transmission to the State Department
showing the situation created for
Americans in this part Of the world
by the lack of interest taken by the
American government in near eastern
questions Since the armistice the
American Chamber Of Commerce has
observed with great anxiety the lack
Of consideration shown by the pr1nci-
pal allies for American interests IN
the occupied and inundated terri
tories. - c
merce," says the memorandum ~
deeply convinced that there mas no'
been lack Of consideration. but oe-
liberate intent on the part OF tne
principal allied powers to obstruct
the progress of American interests
and that in all political moves in the
near east they are actuated oy de-
sire to exclude American interests
from free and equal opportunities IN
these important markets.
Competition Declared Feared.
Long experience in the foreign
trade has convinced the chamber OF
commerce that the policy pursued ps
the allies to exclude American inter
ests in the Levant is dictated by
profound knowledge of the possiblll-
ties and resources of these countries
and by fear Of a formidable American
competition.
THE whole foreign policy OF the al
Hes" says the memorandum. IN SO 1ar
as it relates to commerce and nnance.
is the result of cooperation py .hs
respectiye foreign offices and powerful
business interests And with the knoWl-
edge Of these interests as guide,
their foreign policy is consistently
planned to prevent free competition"
The Chamber of Commerce feels
strongly that this policy eliminated IN
the treaty of Sevres which shows the
controlling desire OF tae allies 70
weaken American prestige and ex-
clude American interests from partici-
patton in the commercial and economic
deyelopment Of Turkey and the man.
dated territories 1t appears that the
treaty of Sevres will soon be substanti-
ally modified. The Chamber OF Com
merce having in mind the vital eject
which the new treaty will have on
American prestige in Turkey and the
whole near east presents the following
facts to the attention Of the govern
ment:
Facts Presented.
Il. Opportunities for the expansion
Of American interests in the near east
are practically unlimited provided fair
field is open for individual enterprise.
The resources Of the Balkan states.
Turkey and the inundated countries are
practically untouched. There are rail-
ways to be built, mineral resources to
be developed and, in fact, the economic
structure OF an empire is to be de-
veloped.
50 The geographical position of Con-
stantinopie as the key point OF COM
merce for the whole of the near and
middle east makes it imperative for the
protection of American interests that
the United States should participate
on an equal footing with the allies in
negotiations affecting near eastern af-
fairs
"3 The United States tacit accept
ance of the discriminatory clauses OF
the treaty Of Sevres has already had
a most unfortunate effect on the men
tality of the peoples of the near east
ern states, and the United States
that will ensue from continued alb
stention from an active part in the
settlement of questions affecting the
near east.
Action by U. 8. Urged.
"A. Unless strong preventive meas
ures are taken by the United States
government the same lack of con-
sideration and discrimination against