The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-01-24
W. 81 II. - ms
Nv stand
Mosul
Turks Refuse to Accept Brit
ish Proposal TO Refer Dis
pute to League of Nations
for Settlement.
Lord Cwzon to Appeal

Lausanne, Jan. 2S.-tBy a. P.N
Unsettled as is the general European
situation at the present moment, it
suddenly took a more menacing turn
this evening owing to critical devel-
opments in the near esatern confer
ence. Turkey refused to accept The
British proposal to refer the Mosul
dispute to the league of nations for
settlement, and Great Britain declined
to adcede to Turkish counter sugges-
tions that the question be settled by
plebiscite in the contested district.
Lord Curzon then declared that as
foreign secretary OF the British en-
pire he would take the responsibility of
addressing a letter to the council of
the league of nations setting forth
that situation had arisen which was
liable to disturb international peace,
and asking that the matter be dealt
with under the covenant, which pro.
yides that the league can act when
there is war or any threat of war in
the world and take steps to restore or
insure the maintenance Of peace.
Outlines L. $. Position.
an important American feature Of
tonight's dramatic meeting. was
statement read by Ambassador Child,
outlining the position of the United
States. Mr.. Child said that Lord Cur
zon had clearly indicated that the BRIT
ish government would hold aloof as
far as possible from making conces-
sions in Mesopotamia, otherwise called
Irak, the subject of diplomatic inter-
est, and he had declared his belief in
the principle that large factors in the
worlds resources should not become
the subject of monopolstic develop
nients/
Mr.. Child concluded by saying that
Lord Curzon's reference to a certain
corporation afforded an, opportunity
to suggest that where there were con
flicting claims already in existence
concerning legal rights to resources.
some means should be provided for
juridical settlement of these rights
which would give complete assurance
of impartiality.
He held that such impartiality could
not be provided for specifically in ad-
vance. but that under a general prin.
ciple the interested parties should be
satisfied as to the impartiality of the
juridical determination at the time
of the reference of the conflicting
claims.
Up at Next Meeting.
The British spokesmen said tonight
(tyrznr would nn6nl1hta61V
send his communication in time for
its consideration at the next meeting
of the council of the league in Paris,
which is set for January 20. They
called attention to Curzons words
that il the Turkish government de-
clined the councils invitation to state
its case, then the league would prob
ably place in operation all the penal
ties that exist for such emergencies.
(The league Of nations has never
adopted definite rules for a blockade;
each member is practically it's own
judge as to whether to institute a
blockade or not.)
The British added that the latest
developments seemed to them distinct.
ly unfavorable for the success of the
Lausanne conference. The conference,
however. will continue its ldbors, and
the Turks will later be presented with
the draft treaty. in which, according
to the British, there will be a clause
providing that the Mosul question be
submitted to the league. Unless the
Turks change their mind, this will be
sufficient for them to refuse to sign
the treaty. Then. as Lord Curzon said
tonight, there may be a renewal of
war in the near cast.