767.68119/384a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Special Mission at Lausanne
92. The Department believes that, as the conference is drawing to a close, an occasion will present itself for you to make a suitable statement summarizing the views of the United States Government upon the chief questions which have been discussed at Lausanne and upon which you have already at different times explained our position.
It is evident that for the moment the basic question at Lausanne is whether they can restore peace or whether they must permit matters to remain unsettled and perhaps drift into war. It is, of course, the [Page 960] desire of the Department to make every proper endeavor to bring about peace, and it considers that you may be able to play a useful part to that same end.
It would be helpful to the Department to receive your views on the proposed expose of this Government’s position. If it should seem politic, however, to take some step before you receive instructions, the Department commits to your discretion the making of such a statement.
A project for a treaty of friendship and commerce with Turkey has been drafted in the Department, and if required it can be cabled to you.