1621 THE STRAITS QUESTION ACCORDING TO BRITISH DOCUMENTS (1774-1953) Behçet Kemal YEŞİLBURSA * Introduction The problem of the Straits began in the 18th century with the arrival of Russia at the coast of the Black Sea, which had been a Turkish lake for some three centuries. The Turks were astride the Straits, in possession of the capital of the former Byzantine Empire, whose heir Russia considered itself to be, and they barred Russia’s way to the Mediterranean. Russian aspirations naturally fell on the warm water port of Constantinople, and Russian policy developed the aims of (a) ensuring free passage for all Russian vessels, whether merchantmen or warships, (b) excluding the warships of all other countries, and (c) securing a foothold on the Straits to guarantee (a) and (b). 1 The other power chiefy concerned was Britain, who considered Russia a menace to her eastern communications and for a long time resolutely opposed the emergence of Russian warships from the Black Sea and supported Turkey for this purpose. British policy had evolved to such a point that in October 1944 Churchill was able tell Marshal Stalin that in principle he favoured both Russian warships and merchantmen having free access to the Mediterranean. But Russian policy, as will be seen, had consistently pursued the aims mentioned above until 1953. 2 1774-1841 The frst breach in the Turks’ exclusive control of the Straits was made by the Russo- Turkish Treaty of Kutchuk Kainarji (Küçük Kaynarca) of 1774, which granted free passage to Russian merchantmen. The same privilege was gradually acquired by other powers and in 1829 it was extended by the Treaty of Adrianople to all powers with whom the Ottoman Empire was not at war. The principle of the freedom of the Straits, at least to merchant vessels in peace time, was thus established. 3 ∗ Prof. Dr.;Uludağ University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Deparment of History, e-mail: bkyesilbursa@uludag.edu.tr 1 FO371/59231, R 17969/6/44, “The Bosphorus and the Dardanelles”, 6 January 1947. 2 FO371/59231, R 17969/6/44, “The Bosphorus and the Dardanelles”, 6 January 1947. 3 FO371/59231, R 17969/6/44, “The Bosphorus and the Dardanelles”, 6 January 1947.