New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-08
Continued from page !

and the State Department feel, how
ever, that action in regard to Turkey
and Bulgaria could not be taken at
this time. SO far as | am concerned,
therefore, no amendment looking to
such a result will be proposed, and |
hope no such amendment will be pro-
posed at this moment by any one.
at is not necessary TO argue that
Bulgaria and Turkey stand on the
same ground, logically, as Austria
Hungary. The Presidents objection
10 action is that there is no practical
necessity for 4 declaration of war
against them At this time. II [ am
correctly informed, Turkish troops are
now being employed on the Italian
front. where we may be called upon
20 take part at any moment; and IT
we should be called upon to take part
We should be in the strange position
Of having our soldiers or our ayiators
engaged in conflict with Turkish SOL
diers while We are at peace with
Turkey.
Would Warn Americans
81 hope that due warning will be
given 10 those Americans in Turkey,
because we certainly do not wish TO
have their names added TO the long
lists Of Turkish massacrcs. But, as a
matter Of fact, notice of the most Of
fectiye kind has really been given, COR
we have no diplomatic relations with
Turkey at the present time and our
consuls have been withdrawn. Those
who have remained after such action
bv the government, Of course, do so
at their own risk, for declaration Of
war cannot be decided on the question
Of the danger TO which citizens Of the
country have voluntarily exposed them
selves in the hostile country.
"The situation IN Turkey, however,
has this peculiar characterized the
American citizens there are chiefly mis-
sionarics or men and women engaged
in educational work. They have done
great work in years past, and the fame
Of Roberts College is worldwide. This
fact seems 20 me TO be the only serious
objection TO the declaration of war
"But Bulgaria, as the President has
said, very Justly and truly, is the mere
tool of Germany. This tool of Ger
many, however, has legation in this
city at the present moment. The Off
GERS of that legation, if they are friend
ly 10 US and TO the cause of the Allies,
are traitors 10 their own country and
TO their own allies, and if they are true
TO their own government and their own
ally. Germany, then 70 is a legation
representing Germany and her allies IN
the tapital Of the United States. !
would. for one, like TO see this legation
removed.
"The President, ] repeat, said that
Bulgaria Is the mere tool OF Germany.
I grant IT, But the only way 10 deal
with an obnoxious tool is either 10
break tho tool or paralyze the arm that
Yields II. II is dream, IN my ludg-
mcnt, TO think that we can detach either
Turkey or Bulgaria from the German
alliance. Il is as much Of a dream as
that which seems to have had some CT"
rency that we could detach Austria
Hungary. Nothing is gained by our
maintaining a nominal peace with any
of them.
May Fight Turks
"As 10 Turkey. there is the possibil-
ity Of our meeting Turkish soldiers IN
the field. They arc actually operating
on the Italian front. That front Is un-
der consideration Of the International
War Council Of the Allies at Paris.
Some of tho representatives Of the
powers in that council are from couD-
tries engaged at war with Turkey, Bull
garia, Austria Hungary and Germany,
and we are there and At peace with
two Of these countries. IL seems 10 me
that this situation is a confused basis
for unity.
"But my feeling about Turkey goes
much further than the practical oues-
ton. The ottoman Turks have been
in Europe since the fifteenth century.
In the days Of their success they were
scourge TO Europe and Christendom.
In the long centuries of their decay,
they have been the pest and the curse
Of Europe. the source Of .nnumerablc
wars, the cxecutioners OF countless
massacrcs.
Il hope and trust that we shall sec
the holy places which are sacred not
only 10 all Christianity but a. we'll
those which arc sacred also 60 the
Jewish people pass forever out OF
Turkish hands, and that we may no
longer behold the Mosque of Omar
dominating the city Of Jerusalem. 7
should he sorry as an American, as a
lover 81 freedom. II when this war
,f,.rd md thu United States ~nurg With