Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-28
,esemony in Asia Minor cannot be over

hegemony in Asia Minor cannot be over
looked.
Recalling the events of recent history In
southeast Europe, it is easy to see how much
greater are the issues being fought out at
the Straits than appear on the surface. The
last chance of German colonial empire hangs
upon the Turkish lines of Pasha Dagch and
. Achi Baba. Already the outposts of the
Kaiser from Kiao-Chau to the Kamerun have
been swept up. German Togo and South
west Africa are memories German East
Africa is helpless and waiting only for the
coming of the invader
If the Allies shall succeed in bursting open
the seaward gate to Constantinople> then
Russian possession of the Turkish capital is
assured. This would be but an inconsider-
able reward for Russian sacrifices, for the
long terrible months that lie between the
battle of the Carpathians and the fall of
Ossowetz. To Russia with the city, will go
the shore of the Sea of Marmora south Of
the famous Enos-Midia line including the
Gallipola peninsula. Once this is fortified
by the Power which commands the Black
Sea with its fleet, the door Of the Austro-
German Powers opening into Asia Minor is
closed and the western terminus of the Bag
dad Railroad will be in Russian hands. So, D..
Future Work of VeniZelos
But this is not all. 1t will then be possible
for the Allies to settle the disputes between
the Balkan States. The peril to Serva of a
Bulgarian attack will pass when the Bulgarian
frontier marches with the Russian and Bull
gsrian ports are at the mercy of the Russian
aeets. In due course of time the little Bal
kan States will consolidate their gains and
become strong but always subservient to the
~ TO
Russia. If the Allies win the war then Bos-
mia and the Dalmatian coast south of the
Narenta River will go to Servia; Albania,
save for the southern strip about Koritza
and Argyro- Castro, tdGtaly This latter has
been occupied by Greece is Greek in its pop
ulation and will probably be left to the
State which possesses In Venizelos a states
man capable of guarding her interests.
Even Rumania, with other outlet for
her grain than the Straits. will have to make
her peace with Russia, and in due course of
time become more closely dependent upon
Petrograd than upon Vienna and Berlin even
If she does not join in the war and win
! Pennsylvania and Bukovina.
So much for the European partition, which
will erect a series of strong States interpos.
ing between the Russian forts along the
! Straits and the Austrian frontier but what
/ VI ASIA hlhOI. ScIluiIiy HO part Oh IL Will
be left to the Central Powers. France Great
Britain. Russia and Italy will divide the
spoils of the Osmanli.
At present there is some prospect that
Greece will share in the division. Smyrna
is a Greek city; next to Athens and Con-
stantinople it contains more Greeks than any
other city in the world The coast from the
Troad to the Straits separating Rhodes from
the mainland is peopled by Greeks. II was
the Persian attack upon Greek colonies here
that led to the great Persian invasion. To
recompense Greece for surrendering Kavala
Drama and seres to Bulgaria the Allies once
promised Greece Smyrna. Greece to win this
great prize, was also to send her troops to
Gallipoli, German intrigue prevented this;
perhaps the chance has been lost forever.
AS for Italy, she has Rhodes and the
Dodecahesus she claims the southern shore
OF Asia Minor TO the Gulf Of Alexandretta.
Here France takes up the work of partltion
her sphere of commercial interest goes south
through the Lebanon, through Beirut 10 Pal
estine. Here the interest Of England, now
master Of Egypt begins. England. too has
an expedition toiling up the Tigris and the
Euphrates Russia has one in Armenia and
along the headwaters of the Euphrates.
She claims Turkey far west as the famous
ualys She may yet claim all TO the shores
OF the Bosphorus itself.
It may be that the conflict OF claims will
end in leaving the Turk master OF Anatolia.
II Is a great country. larger than Spain; as
large as France without Corsica. 1t is rich
in minerals and presents great agricultural
and Industrial prospects. But II may also
be the centre OF a new Eastern Question. a
new focus OF rivalries For II is clear how
conflicting are the various ambitions.
The Prize of the World
Yet these can hardly concern Germany.
II the Gear comes 20 the Golden Horn Il
will be the sea Powers, the Mediterranean
Powers, which will alone be able to contest
for the Turks estate; the road from Bef
lin ana Vienna will be closed. ana closed
with many bolts.
Such bFisny, then. are the issass that are