South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-12-04
Greatest Need That of
Diplomatic Coordination.

The lack of due coordination is being re-
paired in a partial way. There is at last
some concerted action with regard to obtain
ing supplies. Concerted action is being
ranged in the matter of munitiou making, at
least as between France and Britain. The Jay
observer hopes that military cooperation and
coordination will become and more
perfect.
But first ard foremost and above all comes
the need of diplomatic coordination. There
our weakness Is greatest! There Is the real
danger of a defeat of the allies Under pres
ent conditions the allies by means Of German
intrigue might even be played off one against
another Their counsels can by German in
trigue be befogged and divided. Necessary ac-
ton can be delayed or diminished in its in
tensity.
Two things are needed First, the resigna-
tions from the Foreign Office previously men
toned! Secondly, the establishment of an
allied diplomatic centre, in which the respon-
sible chief OF the British Department for
Foreign Affairs be in hourly consultation
Nth Tie representatives Of the other members
OF the allisnce
In support of the demand for designations
we may point out that responsible opinion is
united in condemning the Foreign Office policy
during the war, and that, what is more impor-
tant still, events have condemned ii.
On land and this policy has had de
plorable results. The Declaration of London
(Which every passing day Of war has shown
more and more clearly to have been measure
framed i'm the interests OF Germany and in
contemplation or this German-made war; was,
the outbreak of war, actually put into Op
Grafton by our Foreign Office to the deadly
peril OF the Allies cause. II was only In re-
Spouse to vigorous protest and in face OF dis
astrOus practical results that the Foreign OF
fee in some measure departed from that policy.
Incredible such thing may seem, the For
eign Office was actually DESTROYS OF allowing
German soldiers TO travel to Germany from the
United States in order TO take part in the slay-
ing of the allied armies. What is our navy for.
il il is not TO prevent such thing that?
The supplies of cotton and other warlike
material which our Foreign Office has ellowed
Germany TO procure during the have not
only prolonged the war and sacrificed thou
sands OF lives. but have actually put the vic
tory of the Allies in jeopardy
Enormous concessions in the matter OF over
seas trade have been made TO Germany and
German-American traders in defiance Of the
advice given by real Americans in the United
States who know that the cause Of the Allies
is really the cause OF their own country.
At the very moment when We were arrang
iCg for an American loan on decidedly onerous
terms the Foreign ONCE made 10 the advan-
tage of German commerce, concessions which
in terms OF money measure about S175. 900 900.
these concessions having produced favorable
effect on German credit!
Two tragic errors. among others committed
BY the present occupants Of the Foreign Ofce.
are the misleading TO use q mild expression.
OF the Turkish situation and the misleading
OF the Bulgarian situation. In both cases the
British Foreign Office has played right into
the hands OF Germany.
What excuse has our Foreign Office TO make
for the circumstances described by Sir Edwin
Pears in his recently published book Forty
Years IN Constantinople"? These circum.
stances include the appointment in June 1913.
as British Ambassador at Constantnople OF a
man who did not know a word Of Turkish and
inexperienced in Turkish affairs having under
hin, three secretaries who did not know Turk
ish either and were also inexperienced In
Turkish affairs. Added 10 all this the first
drag At he Nr
who did know the language and the conditions
OF the country, was not restored TO HIS posi-
ton after a holiday because as 70 appears the
Turkish Ambassador in London made a re
quest 70 that effect. IL Is beyond all possible
doubt that any such request was made at Ger
prompting, and was due 10 the fact that
whereas the inexperience and lack OF the
Turkish language On the part OF the remaIs