Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-04-21
HUGHES IS UNABLE
To SEE MENACE IN
NEAR EASTERN ROW
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
Ueased Wire Service to The Journal)
Copyright 1929


WASHINGTON, April 19.-Rum-
blings are beginning to be heard
from the direction Of the senate on
the subject of the oil concessions
granted American capitalists in Tur-
key.
When congress meets the whole
subject is likely to be aired and a
resolution calling for the 1acts in
troduced. Some of the senator's,
particularly in the 'irreconcilable"
group, say there is more chance or
foreign ENHANCEMENT in the conces-
SION business than in the League of
Nations itself.
Secretary of State Hughes, sens
ing the talk of complications-tor
the European press has been full OF
it's pointing out constantly in his
conferences with the press that
there need be no worry about en-
tanglements and that the discussion
of international conflict over the
Turkish concession which has been
so prominent in the press cables
from abroad is largely a specter of
the imagination.
Hughes Sees No Trouble
Mr.. Hughes experience with le-
gal complexities leads him to APP
proach with the Utmost serenity
the highly complicated questions
which have arisen since announce
ment was first made that the Turks
had granted the Chester oil cOnces-
sion. He sees the need Of no eXtraOr-
binary procedure nor need of APP
prehension on any score. The French
government has not yet lodged eny
formal protest but has cOmmunl-
Gated it's view in a preliminary way.
The United States government is
not unmindful of the deep interest
which foreign governments will take
in the affair, but naturally feels
they need have no cause to fear
iuequitable treatment. First of all
it. becomes necessary to determine
what are the facts. Thus far the
government knows only
that the concession has been granted
the Chester interests by the Angora
and that there have
been cer.si~. notifications since the
proposal was first brought to the
attention OF the state department
here.
When the text has been received
anu W1lSI lOISlS1 II SONO1 1lLIlOhlS AeA =
pointed out just where their claims
conflict with the American conces-
sion, the department of state will
endeaVor to persuade the Chester
interests to adjust directly such
questions as can be adjusted between
them and conflicting interests, and
if that still leaves a conflict the
proposal will be made that an arbl-
trail tribunal be appointed with full
power to resolve the points in dis
pute. \ ,
Uncle Sans Course Clear
Having in mind such a careful
legal procedure, the government
here fails to see how any enormous
political embroglio can be developed
out of this controversy. The full
support of the American
is given when legitimate
claims are made by American inter
ests. The question of whether
Americans have valid rights must
be determined first before there can
be given the backing of the govern
ment. But even then the backing
is a matter Of moral support and
diplomatic language. There
have been disputes Of a legal nature
before in which American interests
have not always come out on. top,
but the government here has not felt
it was obligated to use its army and
navy if necessary to protect Amerl-
can legal rights abroad.
Usually the disputes have had Sc
uueIs in whlch foreign governments
have sought things from the Ameri-
can government and the power of
always can be revoked
without recourse to serious interna-
tionaI conflict. In the recent con-
troversy, for instance, over. the
mOnoDOlistic tendency Of certain
Dutch and British oil companies in
shutting off American concessions,
the United States government. has
taken a firm stand, and has even
begun proceedings looking to the ex-
pulsion of those companies from OPP
erations on American oil territory
unless reciprocity can be established,
and obstacles in the way of freedom
Of opportunity for American inter
ests in other parts Of the world are
removed The United States never
has sought any special privilege in
any part of the world, but only free
dom of opportunity.
Could Retaliate
There are oil-bearing lands in
Central and South America which
are, in a sense, within the Amer
lean sphere of influence. Should
interests fail to get their
lust due in the Near East and other
regions under European political
control, the natural effect would be
to establish a preferential position
DON this and the South American
continent for those who seek con-
cessions, not merely Americans but
the nationals of other countries
which see to it that American citI-
zens get a square deal and an open
door.
AS the controversy develops and
gets into the senate, as it inevitably
ton throughout the world will be
brought up for discussion, Senator
LaFollette refers to the ultimate
shortage of oil and the consequent
rise to such heights as a dollar gal
Ion for gasoline. Oil, like coal, Is be-
coming a fuel Of paramount impor-
lance throughout the world ana
while it is too early to form Judg-
ment as to the merits of the Chester
the dispute is bound to
be thoroughly investigated and ana
lyzed not only by those who fear Ter
eign entangIements but by those
who insist that American interests
shall be given an. even greater mea'
sure of protection in the future than
in the past.