867.0145/14: Telegram
The Special Mission at Lausanne to the Secretary of State
Lausanne, December
20, 1922—2 p.m.
[Received December 20—12:42 p.m.]
[Received December 20—12:42 p.m.]
134. In case opportunity arises because of deadlock or otherwise and Department by its instructions wishes to suggest solution of Straits question, we would find many reasons in support of following general plan:
- 1.
- Turkey declares herself trustee for all the world of water passage, and neutral zone of land and water to be defined as to extent and demilitarization for following purposes:
- 2.
- (a) For free passage ships of commerce in peace and war; (b) for free passage ships of war out and in, in limited number to be defined; (c) for the control of port and passage; regulations backing (a), (b) and (c) to be defined.
- 3.
- Nations which shall enjoy privileges under this trusteeship whether using Straits in or out must first pledge themselves to Turkey and through Turkey as trustee to all other existing beneficiaries of the trust not to violate neutrality of the land and naval neutral zones as defined and must assent to principle that violation of either would constitute not only an act of war against Turkish sovereignty but would be interpreted as an act of war against any beneficiary nation which in its discretion desired to so interpret it. Such a plan would exclude international boards, and involvement, and would put pressure on Russia to join general accord and appears to meet the fundamental Turkish attitude. It may be considered as best method of crystallizing moral force of world as opposed to armed force and fake internationalization.
Am[erican]
Mission