Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-12-05
ALLIES MUST SPEED
NEAR EAST ACTION
Alienation of Mustapha Renal From
Bolsheviks Held Necessary to Remove
Menace to Europe's Safety.

Turks and most certainly not enough
men to repel co-ordinated red-Turk
aggression against Constantinopie
and the straits.
The reds are certain to see their
present advantage, and if they can
obtain discontinuance Of the Ar
menian campaign and movements
against the wavering allied FORCES
to the west. they wil have accom-
plished much.
The task of European diplomacy.
if it would avoid the use of gigantic
military forces. is plain. Not only
must Mustapha Renal be placated,
but assurances must be received from
him that if the allies grant terri,
toria1 readjustments he in turn viii
arrangements with Muscow. Mustapha
Renal is not a stickler for loyalty,
as proven by his desertion from the
sultan, ostensible head of the MO-
hammedan church. He upset al
Turkish presidents in 80 DOING, ana
ing the very fountainheads OF the
Mohammedan religion. it is believed
the task of alternating him from the
bolsheviki will not be difficult, as
the reds and the Turks from all
standpoints are exceedingly strange
bedfellows.
Must Act Quickly.
But the allies must act quickly.
ANY attempt at mediation must be
made with clear-cut strokes and
results achieved at the earliest pos
sibIe moment. If the allies can ap-
proach Mustapha Renal and make
certain concessions along the hnes
he has advocated from a purely ma
tionalistic standpoint, undoubtedly
thew may defer, if not completely
nreyent. Kemal from striking toward
the west. for if Mustapha Renal can
accomplish the deliverance OF Tur-
KEY by peaceful means. he IS not
expected to prolong unnecessary
struggle
The allies, in view of the attitude OF
Greece toward the return OF King
Constantine. an issue to be settled
today by plebiscite. are in excellent
position to meet the Turks more than
half way, for if Greece votes that the
former enemy of the allies shall be
given the throne. it is expected Greece
will receive little further considera-
tion and Greece will be left to her
own devices in maintaining desired
territories in Smyrna and elsewhere
which have been particular thorns in
the side of the Turks. Premier Ley
CUES of France is in favor of permit
ting the treaty of Sevres to solve it
self. In other words, he would not as
sjst Greece in maintaining her posi-
ton in Turkey and without allied as
sistance Greece cannot resist Musta-
pha Renal. And to win the proper
necessary support and fealty OF Mus
tapha Kemal all the allies have to do
is to signify their withdrawal of sup
port to Greece. The nationalist lead.
err undoubtedly would move in &C
cordance and arrange the treaty to
suit himself. which undoubtedly wouid
bring eventual recognition from the
powers of Europe, SO long as it did
not include the reoccupatfon Of Con-
stantinople and the straits. which all
Europe deems essential to European
prestige and safety.
Understanding Necessary.
But there must be clearcut under
standings between the allies and Ke-
NAL, else the .bolshevist influence
might become paramount and the
seeds already sown in the near east
bear fruit in the eventual overthrow
of Renal himself and the bolsheviz-
ing of the whole of Turkey. a con-
tingency made more likely through
the spread of bolshevist political and
military influence farther east.
If the allies openly resist Renal.
and it is not believed under the cir
they will do 80, undoubt-
eddy the Notwithstanding alliance
would flourish further and Renal
might prove himself able to wrest de-
sired territories from the allies be-
fore the European powers could OBJ
tain formal agreements. In such case
the bolsheviki undoubtedly would de-
mand certain stipulations for aiding
Mustapha Renal, and these stipula-
lions, it is known, would embrace
even further blows against European
powers, notably those of southeastern
Europe.
The crux Of the whole situation lies
in the ability Of Europe to checkmate
bolshevist influence in Turkey and
prevent disastrous consequences to al
least obtained some voice in settle
ment. And Grecian aspirations may
be made the pawn in the diplomatic
and political game to be played in the
near east in the next few weeks.