New-York tribune., 1920-03-13
England Fears
Crisis i'm Near
East Problems
Alarm Increased by Com
plications in Syria and
Mesopotamia; Anxiety
Revealed by Earl Curzon

LONDON, March IL (By The Asso-
ciated Press).-Earl Curzon's speech
on the Turkish problem, made in the
House of Lords yesterday, and other
official and unofficial statements on
the subject are generally regarded as
showing that the Near East tangle is
quite serious and is causing the au-
thorities some anxiety-an anxiety in.
creased by complications threatened
in connection with Syria and Meso-
potamia. The shadow of Indian and
Moslem opinion darkens the problem
and, it is believed, influences the coun.
sells Of the Allies more than is always
Immediately apparent.
The suggestion that the employment
of force against the Turks might excite
general hostility in the Mussulman
world is regarded as one that cannot
safely be ignored. In some quarters
the feeling prevails that there is dan
ger If the Turks are pressed they may
Immediately be Joined by the Arabs.
The Italian view that it would be dan
gerous to employ against the Turks
British Moslem and other Moslem
troops in the service of the Allies is
evidently based on these fears.
Syrian Congress Watched
Careful watch is being kept here on
the outcome of the Syrian Congress
at Damascus, and it is understood any
decision or proposal by the peace con-
ference regarding Syria would be
purely tentative.
Among the days reports was one
that to France had been given a man.
date over Cilicia, but this was uncon-
llrmed. IL 1t is argued in some quarters
that Frances hands are too full to
undertake this responsibility Great
Britain is similarly regarded ruled out
as mandatary for the same reason,
and the league of nations is looked to
as the only hope for protecting Tur-
keys non Noslem subjects.
Earl Curzon's statement attributing
the cause of the Turkish trouble to
awaiting action by the United States
is not commented on by some editorial
writers, but others point out that if a
settlement had been taken year ago,
when Turkey was militarily humbled,
the present trouble would not have
arisen.
More Complications Seen
Fresh complication has been added
to the Eastern situation by the news
that Prince Feisal, son of the King of
the Hedjaz, was proclaimed King of
Syria. Prince Feisal had displayed a
strong inclination to play his own
hand ever since the British govern
ment made a treaty with him. He had
also shown himself strong for self
determination for his people. The re-
cent Pan-Syrian Congress proclaimed
as one of the principal planks of it's
platform that Syria be an independent
state with Prince Feisal on the throne.
Hitherto that movement was not taken
seriously here.
An invitation was sent short time
ego to the prince inviting him to pay
another visit to Europe and confer
with the Supreme Council He was
urged to take no action until the Su-
preme Council passed upon his case.
The upshot of the matter, it is gen
orally conceded, appears to be that the
Syrian people propose to run their own
affairs and are bent upon self deter
mination.
The next move apparently is for the
British and French governments or for
the Supreme Council to. decide what
shall be the attitude toward the new
nominal kingdom and its King.