Papers written by Curzon on the Near and Middle East [‎45r] (89/348)

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majestys Government.]
80 [3101J
Printed for the Cabinet. May 1920.
SECRET.
TURKISH PEACE TREATY.
(Confidential.)
Correspondence between President Wilson and the Supreme Council.
I. Note from President Wilson, dated March 26, 1920. _
II. Reply drafted by Lord Curzon and approved by the Supreme Council,
on April 26, 1920.
I.
Paraphrase of Despatch from the British Representative at Washington,
dated March 26, 1920, to the Foreign Office, London,
THE Secretary of State's note is as follows :—
“In acknowledging receipt of your Excellency's communication of the
12th March in respect of Conferences relating to the Treaty of Peace with Turkey,
and the present position of negotiations proceeding between the chief Allied Powers,
I am to inform you that in the view of the President it does not seem desnable that
a plenipotentiary should represent the l nited states at the C onferences. As,
however, this Government is profoundly interested in the future peace of the world,
the President thinks that its views on the suggested solutions of the intricate
problems connected with the Turkish Treaty should be frankly expressed.
United States, it is true, were not at war with Turkey, but its armies and navies
were fighting the principal allies of that country and in contributing to the
defeat of those allies, they also contributed to the defeat of the Turks.
Accordingly, the President holds that it is the duty ol his Government
to communicate its views and to press for a solution which will be at once
lasting and just. The Washington Government understands the cogency of the
arguments for the retention of the Turks at Constantinople, but is of opinion that
the arguments against it are far stronger and contain certain elements which, in
their opinion, can scarcely be ignored. 1 he Allies have often expressed theii
intention that the anomaly of the Turks in Europe should end, and it is difficult
to believe that the Mohammedan peoples who not only witnessed, without protest,
the defeat of Turkish power, but even contributed materially to that defeat, will
now feel so strongly on the subject as to resent the explosion of the Turkish
Government, necessitating on the part of the Great Powers a complete reversal ot
policy which seems neither necessary nor desirable.
“ It is assumed that the line given as the southern frontier of Turkey is meant
to be the ethnological frontier of the Arabs. If this is the case, certain rectifications
would appear to be necessary. Supposing, however, that in choosing this line the
Allied Powers were guided by other considerations, the Washington Goveinment,
without anv desire to criticise, w r ould be glad to be supplied with the arguments
which led the Powers to make this choice. The Washington Government are glad
to note that on the International Council which it is proposed should be established
for the Government of Constantinople and the Straits, provision is made for Russian
representation. They are convinced that no arrangement which is now made in
respect of the Government and the control of Constantinople and the Straits can
possess any element of permanency unless Russia's vital interests in those problems
are protected and carefully provided for, and unless, when Russia once more has a
Government which is recognised by the civilised wmrld, it is understood that that,
Government may assert its just claim to be heard in respect of whatever decisions
may now be reached. The United States Government are convinced that no final
decision should, or can, be made in respect of the passage of men-of-war and the
regime of the Straits in war time without the consent of Russia. They accordingly
note with pleasure that these questions are under consideration.