Evening star., 1923-12-14
In TODAY'S SPOTLIGHT
BY PAUL v. COLLINS

never been at war with Turkey, We
had no part in that conference, ex-
cept as observers.
The revised boundaries of Turkey,
as planned by the Sevres treaty, were
practically renewed at Lausanne. Af-
ter, prolonged negotiations, the Lau-
same treaty was signed and ratified
by Turkey, last July %. BY that
treaty the allies consented to abro-
gate all former capitulations, upon
the demand Of Turkey. which there
by assumes the full status of national
independence.
In the latter part of the Lausanne
negotiations, the only representative
of the United States was Minister
Grew. Last May Ismet Pasha, ruler
Of Turkey. sent to him proposition
that negotiations be entered into for
a new treaty Of amity and commerce
between Turkey and the United
States, superseding the treaty which
she had abrogated when we entered
the world war. Though the seyering
OF diplomatic relations does not auto
matically abrogate treaties, Turkey
had construed our breaking off of
diplomatic relations for the war as
wiping the records clean of her for
mer obligations.
Freed now from the former Rus
sian menace. at peace with the allies.
and supporting a strong miiitary
fuses the capitulations Of previous
treaties, and II is claimed by our
State Department that there is moth
ing else for US to do but to follow the
same course in our diplomacy as that
adopted by the allies at the Lausanne
conference, waving the capitulations.
1t therefore authorized the neSotia-
tions resulting in the pending treaty
and also for an eXtradition treaty,
both of which were signed by Min
lister Grew. at Lausanne, last August.
They are now ready for confirmation
or rejection by the Senate.
Article II of the new treaty express
ly abrogates the stipulations relat-
ing to the extraterritorial regime OF
foreigners in Turkey, as to entry,
residence and fiscal and judicial ques-
tions. Americans in Turkey will be
subject to arrest and trial by Turk
ish officials.
All provisions of the new treaty
which relate to the protection of
Americans, even under Turkish and
international laws are limited to
seven years, and all provisions re-
lating to commerce are limited TO
five years, but the abrogation OF pre-
yious capitulations protecting Amerl-
cans from arrest and guaranteeing
them a trial only by American diplo-
matte officials are permanently can
celed. Turkey assumes full 1urisdic-
tion over all persons in her territory,
including the missionaries
y +
1t is claimed by former Ambassador
Gerard and his committee that Presi-
dent Harding pledged the protection
of the United States to Armenia
against Turkish atrocities.
BY the Versailles treaty, the Re-
public of Armenia was recognized as
an independent nation. Turkish atroc-
gan in 1885, while they were sub
jects of Turkey, seeking independ-
ence. Butcheries were made in 1885.
1894, 1896, 1903 (when 10000 Arme-
mans were massacred) and In 1916.
In the latter massacre, II is reported
that 100000 were killed. and 100000
turned out of their country to starve
upon the deserts. Now Armenia con-
stitutes an independent nation. At
the time of the armistice mandate
was urged upon the United States
and almost assumed by President
Wilson, to cover all the Turkish ma
ton and Armenia. but was refused
by the Senate. Nevertheless. a special
charter was given by Congress to
the Near East Relief for philan-
throptc relief and through that
channel S4O,oDO.0o0 or more. has been
spent for Armenian aid, in reconstruc-
tfon and rehabilitation. Now Tur-
keys good faith must be relied on
for protection of this work.
Copyright. 1928. By Paul Y. Colltns.)