OCR Text |
Show America's Interest in Constantinople TTNCLE SAM, It appears, has omc-'jlng omc-'jlng at stake la the control of uiistuntlnople. The Unltwl States gjverument, It Is explained authoritatively authorita-tively In Washington, has certain definite defi-nite Interests In Asia Minor and In the flnnl settlement of the controversy over the Dardanelles. Aside from the duty of enforcing the rights of the citizens of the United States under the so-called Capitulations Capitula-tions treaty negotiated with Turkey many years ago, this govern tnent Is bound to protect the lives and property of Americans In Asia Minor, and fully Intends to do so. All rights under the so-called Capitulations Capit-ulations treaties were declared null and oid h' the sultan of Turkey at he 5utlirenk of the World war, hut 'his government protested at the time .ind has never admitted the cancellation. cancella-tion. Ormnny and Austria accepted this nullification, but the other powers scted in the same manner as the Cnlt-"d Cnlt-"d Slates. The allied nations have nuititulned nuvul and military forces in Turkey nut only to enforce llieir cnpllulatory r'ulits iind to prule-'t the lives mid properties of their citizens, hut also ntulcr the provl.-!-ms of the armistice mclu'led between tSem tuid Turkey at the close of hostilities In the war. Under this armistice, th allien re tulnetl the right to keep the Dardanelles Darda-nelles open by force If necessary. While It can be definitely stated thai this government Is not going to participate par-ticipate In any political or mllitarj activity In Asia Minor, It ennnot be expressed too strongly, ofliclals have declared, that the United States Is definitely defi-nitely Interested in the control of tha Dardanelles, j The vast importance of Hit straits j I cmipled with the prowlug roinrnerclui I Importance of the United States ami : ! the consequent expansion of Its uier-; uier-; ( hunt marine, makes It Imperative thai i i In' I -est Interests of this government j sluiii'il not be endangered b as - '.'. i. .. nt that i niada. |