Is Mr. Insull's Detention Lawful ?
The fact that Mr. Samuel Insull is a fugitive from American justice, and that it is desirable that he should not escape proper trial in his own country, has tended to obscure a question that may be of far greater importance. The freedom of the Straits which separate the Black Sea from Mediterranean waters is a matter of first•rate international importance, and Turkey is bound to observe it under the Straits Convention. A vessel of any nationality is entitled to pass undisturbed through the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus, without coming under Turkish jurisdiction. It is true that the Greek steamer, the `Maiotis', with Mr. Insull on board, did take advantage of the facilities which the Turkish Government grants to vessels in transit to anchor for not more than 24 hours to take in provisions, mails, &c. Does this permitted break in transit destroy the guaranteed right of immunity from Turkish interference ? The Greek Government, at least, has clearly a doubt about the matter ; and the United States appear to have given a vote in Turkey's favour by asking her to arrest Mr. Insull.
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