Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-02-06
THE BREAKDOWN AT
LAUSANNE

The break uONT Ol tHS cc'i' " SN1N
at Lausanne does not necessarily
mean that negotiations may not De
resumed, that the only alternative
will be war; but the general I'M
prcssion made by the refusal OF the
Turks to sign the treaty. also the
fact that they manifest a dc tcimina-
ton not to yield or in any way COM
promise on what they are pleased TO
term their independence are cause
for some concern.
This country is not directly inNol-
we'd in the result. Notwithstanding
our interests in Turkey aud insist
ence on the freedom of Il e straits.
We were not nj war with Turkey so
we had no after-war settlement.
Europe had been at war and SEEKS
q settlement. Peculiarly this con-
ference Ut Lausanne WAS Europes
affair and there is no reason why the
United States may not make
sonatate treaty with Turkey, and as
vet no reason why we should inter-
ferc In the quarrel with Europe.
This docs not mean that we are
not Interested in that which is said
to have been the rock on Which the
cofercnce split. the matter of hav-
ing representation in tie Turkish
courts. We should insist On fair
trial of American citizens In foreign
courts. The treaty whica Turkey
would not sign, provided that for
period of five years that country
should have corps of legal advisors;
that the Tursish government would
appoint a commission composed OF
two Turks and three justices of the
Hague Tribunal which should select
and submit list of foreign advisers,
to be attached to the ministry OF
Justice and assigned to scrI ice in the
Courts of Constantinoplc. Smyrna
and several other places. One for
eigner would lie present vi enever
a foreigner was being tried and in
courts of last appeal the foreigners
should be in the majoritr
The practise OF having restrictions
on the courts of oriental countries
in the trial of foreigners IS not new.
1t existed in Turkey prior TO the war.
but now that they have whipped the
Greeks, and notwithstanding 1t was
supposed she herself hal been de-
feated in the Great war sic VIII have
none of it. Independence or war is
her ultimatum. In this she Obvious
" is encouraged by Russia. seeking
for confusion under cover Of which
to get away with something.
The other day when It was ap-
parent the foreign countries would
not trust their subjects to trial III
exclusively Turkish courts MGstapha
Kcmal gave indications Of Il purpose
to resume the war. He is said to
have 10000 well armed troops In
Eastern Thrace. in the Isri:d PENN
sular $1,000. between Ismed and
Chanak $4,000, ir the Cha,.:,!- terri
tory 1900 and in Smyrna about
90. 900. In addition to these there are
said to he twenty-five thousand more
scattered on the eastern frontiers
and it is supposed there al; strong
bands training for an outbreak. No
information mas been received indi-
eating that Russia has actually be-
gun a movement of troops in sup
port of Turkey hut Their, is little
doubt under certain circumstances
this would happen.
The Greek amy numbering now
not over $4,000 IS badly dtEicralizcd
and the number of allied troops in
Thrace is set at $500 and the allied
forces in and ulOund Constdntinople
consist of 1000 british, 1900 French
and 200 Italians. The British have
5000 men along the DarGlr"iies and
naval landing forces then and at
Constantin oplc of about 5000 more.
These conditions evidently appeal
to the minds Of the Turks and the
Russians when considered in view OF
the GOODNESS which has sprung up
between England and Fra zee over
the Euhr whc'e the F'ren:h army is
engaged and likely to remain so for
quite period, especially IS re Ger
man resistance will be stit;ened by
this Confcrenc, break ut Lausanne.
So. while this country mas n" direct
call to Interfere at this time, 1t
should do nothing to lend en- courage
ment to Germany in her contest with
France. for that would he indirectly
lending aid to Turkey AID soviet
Russia. This VIC do not believe the
American people for one moment
wish to do.