San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-03

nothing to barter; without threatening
with naval forces and without intrigue
the United States has gained most of
its wishes. Through its delegation the
United States spoke first upon the
general principle of the open door. The
Turks were glad to accept the Ameri-
can view as TO the open door for they
are learning that the United States is
one of the soundest of the few creditor
nations and that the open door applies
to the inundated territory. So far as
known no concessions were given to OBJ
tain consent to the open door policy.
Meet American Wishes.
Then the Americans spoke up on the
control of the straits, suggesting that
commission was unnecessary and today
it is certain that the commission will
not exist except possibly, as an in
spection body. The Americans like
wise took a stand against ejecting the
Greek patriarchate from Constantinople.
This was to prevent the establishing of
precedent which would permit the
Turks to expel American religious work
ers or other powers to expel church
leaders. However, if the patriarchate
remains it will be shorn of political
power. vi.
In private conversation, the Ameri--
cans asked the Turks as to their atti-
tunde towards American schools and
philanthropic institutions, whereupon
the Turks called in the American cor
respondents and announced the re-
ceipt of a telegram from Angora per-
hitting American institutions TO re-
main in Turkey and reopen their doors.
The Turkish delegation recently re-
ceived Darius Davis, head of the Young
Mems Christian Association in Europe,
and told him that they understood that
the Y. NJ. c. A. was included in the
Angora statement accepting American
| institutions.
The Americans asked that. the am
nesty to be granted should include refu-
gees and deportees so that they might
return, but this proposal was resisted
| by Turks who, still under the DONNA
ton of the irreconcilables led by Ria
Nour Bey, refuse to permit Greess 70
return. The Americans objected to the
exchange of populations and today such
an exchange is distant and improb-
able. The Americans suggested that II
the capitulations were removed some
thing practical should replace them but
the Turks have not given their con-
| sent.
Request Is Misunderstood.
The Americans asked for view on a
homeland for the Armenians. This
caused misunderstanding for it was
thought that the American government
backed the project. 1t seems now that
the proposition was to invite plans,
thus placing the need of repatriating the
refugees before the conference and en-
couraging crystalization of projects. The
American delegation declared that the
minorities should be protected and the
Turks replied that they would accetp
clauses providing for the protection OF
minorities similar to the provisions on
this matter contained in other Euro
pean treaties.
The foregoing shows a balance in ia
vor of the American delegation. lt Is
| n tribute TO the prestige and moral In
| fluence of the United States and com
pliment to the American delegates whose
position has been and is exceedingly
| irving, In British quarters it is freely
admitted that the Americans on sew
eral occasions have helped the confer
ence by their conciliatory attitude and
placing their weight on the right side
of the balance. Undoubtedly the Turks
more than once changed their attitude
when the Americans interceded.
One feature of the conference is the
maneuvering for position in case of a
break. Each delegation wants TO be
prepared, if a break is inevitable, TO
force the rupture on a favorable point
as, for example. the Turks on the
Mosul oil question and the Allies on
humanitarian principles. Hence, each
side is watching the Americans mar
rowly to gain the United States TO its
side or even to place the responsibility
I for a break upon the Americans. Thus
the position Of the United States as an
observer has real advantage but also
the disadvantage of not having the lib
erty to propose detailed and definite
plans.