The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-12-22
THE OPEN FORUM
7. r. SUGGESTED AS
TURKISH PRIME MINISTER
ny ROBERT STEIN

The Mir OF Sofa, leading Bulgarian
paper, said the other day::'rIf Turkey is
willing to become a member Of the
Balkan alliance, she will be welcome"
This moderation, in the midst Of a fe-
rocious war, speaks volumes for the good
sense of the Bulgarians. II remains to
be seen whether the Turks are similarly
endowed. Reunion with her present an
tagonists would be for Turkey the easiest
means to guard against further dismem-
berment. What better peace could she
wish than one by which she would annex
her conquerors?
In Germany, the presence Of three kings.
six grand dukes, five dukes and seven
princes does not interfere in the least
with the iron firmness of the nations
unity under the headship Of the En-
peror. Similarly, a King of Greece. a
King OF Bulgaria. a King of Albania, a
King OF Servia, a King OF Armenia. q
Jewish King OF Palestine, might be linked
together under a common ruler at Con-
stantinople in a union far firmer than
Turkey ever enjoyed. The comparison,
however, at once brings out an indis-
pensable condition: a neutral name.
The Bavarians, Saxons, Wurtembergers
would never have. consented to become
Prussians, but they were glad TO unite
with the Prussians under the neutral
name OF Germans. Similarly, the Greeks.
Bulgarians, Albanians, Armenians will
never consent to be called Turks. but
they might be glad TO unite with the
Turks on terms Of equality under a
neutral name. "Adelphian Empire"
name expressive of the liberty, equality.
fraternity which have been the ostensible
programme of the Young Turks for the
last four years, would be perpetual
monitor of concord.
However. even II Greece and Bulgaria
were reincorporated. the Mohammedans
would still be in the majority and would
thus control the federal government.
While Greeks and Bulgarians might be
willing to swear a formal allegiance to
the Sultan, they would insist that the
reins Of power be held by neutral
ruler. A prominent Bulgarian pointed
out the other day that an American would
be the fittest person for the purpose, be-
cause he would be absolutely neutral. not
only between the different nationalities
in Turkey, but also between the Euro
pean powers. Unfortunately, he continued,
the idea has little chance OF realization,
because so few Americans have devoted
any attention to the conditions prevailing
in the near East.
The speaker forgot that there is one
man in America who is familiar with the
subject: Col. Roosevelt. That enCyclo-
pedic mind, at present enjoying. or rather
suffering from an unwonted leisure, Is
proved by his writings to be intimately
acquainted with the problems of the Near
East and deeply impressed with their
Importance for the veal or woe Of man
kind. 1t can hardly be doubted that he
would be glad to aid in their solution.
knowing that he would thus have an Op-
portunity to render even to his native
q greater service than IL he
were once more installed in the White
House. The man who invited a Catholic
and Jew to his Cabinet for the express
purpose OF giving an objeCt-lessOn in re-
llGious liberation. is surely best fitted to
hold the balance of justice between
Christians and Mohammedans.
II the Sultan were to invite Col. ROosc-
welt 10 be his prime minister. it seems
not impossible that the Balkan allies
would not only waive their Onerous con-
ditlons OF peace. but would consent to
be reinCorpOrated in the empire. as the
easiest means for both Greeks and Bull
garians TO attain complete national unity
and to assure decent government for their
Christian brothers. the Armenians. The
rolonels advent at COnstantinople would
be greeted with a cyclone OF delight,
which would sweep away all memories OF
the dismal past and enable the tortured
millions 10 begin life anew on a perfectly
clean basis. Thus the Balkan war which
at one time seemed to threaten the very
Existence of Turkey. might prove to have
been her salvation, the surest avenue to
her restoration to the rank OF a great
power. The foremost champion of the
virtues would take good care
10 keep his army in good trim.