The Washington herald., 1920-03-12
For Civilizations Sake.

ror StVu1ZauonS sake.
America has not been at war
with Turkey. We are no party to
the present European negotiations
regarding the Near East
Yet the United States Govern
ment feels that the interests of
international civilization require
that Ottoman power be driven
forever from Constantinople. That
includes, of course, the expulsion
OF the Sultan from the Bosphorus.
1t is highly probable that the
hrst diplomatic document to bear
cambridge Colby's signature as
Secretary of State will be a ring
ing pronouncement from President
Wilson, outlining Americas views
on the Turkish problem.
Clash Over Syria.
TO date those views have not been
officially called for by Great Britain
and France, the two European powers
chiefly at interest, but it is known
at the State Department that Amer
lean cooperation in the settlement
is desired and expected.
1t may become necessary for tbe
United States to side against France
in the Near Eastern controversy.
France covets a sphere of influence
in Syria, while Syria, with the SUD-
port Of Great Britain, is anxious
for independence under the Em,r
Feiseul, son of the King of the
Hedjaz, who is said to have been
offered the Syrian throne.
The United States fayors Syrian
aspirations for self-determination
Among other things Il was Frances
"imperialistic. longinss In the Near
East that inspired President Will
sons reference to the ascendancy of
the militarists in the present French
government.
Fought With Auenby,
: America would back Emir Feiseul
Tor another reason. II, as many
persons think, the result of the ex-
pulsion of the terrible Turk from
Europe should precipitate a Moslem
uprising, it is the opinion of the
United States that the best man to
grapple with it is the Arab chieftain,
Feiseul, who helped Allenby recover
Palestine from the Turks two years
ago. Feisuel fought brilliantly for
christianity then and it is felt that
he can safely be relied upon to do
so again, should the emergency
arise.
Though the United States is pre-
pairing to make her voice heard once
again in Turkish affairs, there is no
prospect that the American objec-
tion to mandates in Constantinople
or Armenia will be abandoned. Our
Government is anxious that orderly
and equitable settlements shall
take place in those places and in
Mesopotamia, Syria, and Palestine.
but the mandate suggestion may
be regarded as dead beyond resur-
rection.
Mandate for Canada.
Washington has heard the re-
markable suggestion that Canada
may be offered the mandate or man
dates which the United States
spurns. 1t is whispered that certain
statesmen in London and Paris have
conceived the possibility of ..hu-
initiating this country for its re-
fusal to welcome a Turkish manda-
tory by offering "the other North
American power" the rejected op-
portunity.
The State Department is we'll
equipped to deal with the Near
Eastern situation when it becomes
necessary to do so. Chadles r.
Crane. the new American minister
to China, Professor William Linn
Westermann OF the University of
Wisconsin, and General Harbord
, made tours Of inquiry into the
Turkish domains after the armis-
tice and during the peace confer
ence. Their reports, coupled with
the recommendations of Ambassa-
dor Morgenthau, will form the basis
| of America's policy