The Washington herald., 1920-03-19
TURKISH CRISIS
TESTS WILSON
Eyes Of Europe on Presi-
dent While Treaty
Waits.
u. S. EXPECTED TO ACT
Diplomats May Scorn Ad-
vice If America Re-
fuses Aid.
u. S. EXPECTED TO ACT
Service. Special Ledger Cable1
BY CARL w. ACKERMAN.

London, March 1S.-The Turkish
crisis is considered by many as. a
test case of American participation
in European affairs. For months
Europe has marked time while the
peace treaty was under discussion
in the United States Senate On
the Russian questions and Adri-
attic questions the European pow
ers were forced by events to take
the action which in their judg-
ment seemed best, but the Adri-
attic decision was contested by
ments over here accepted Mr.. Will
sons views without public MUIR
murs.
Considered Test Case.
But the Turkish question is
different. The Turkish issue should
bring a showdown between Europe
and America While Europe awaits
Mr.. Wilson's decision it wants to
know whether this decision will
be followed by action: it wants to
know how far Mr.. Wilson will go
in helping to settle European prob
lens after the peace treaty is dis
posed of in the Senate.
The powers hope that the solu-
tion of the problem will clear the
atmosphere regarding Americas
participation in European affairs.
No other European problem could
have served the purpose as well
as Turkey because the govern
ments know America has many in
terests other than a sentimental
one in the Turkish empire, and 1t
is hoped that by bringing the
Turkish issue square1y before the
American people and government
that America can be made to real
ize and to assume her foreign po-
litical and moral obligations.
May Request Help.
1t is. of course. decidedly a de-
batable question whether the pow
ers will have the courage to call
America, il America proclaims a
policy and then refuses to act,
because there are many influential
liberal political leaders in Europe
who still look to America for
guidance and moral courage to
change European diplomacy, but
there can be no doubt that the
statesmen now. in power in all
these countries will be strongly in
clined to tell America that if she
does not assist in carrying out
policies her counsel cannot be
needed.
The Turkish crisis has brought
to head another important ques-
tion. In case the treaty is de-
feated in the Senate or in case the
President withdraws it. what will
be the Presidents policy? VIII he
continue his aggressive leadership
IL the treaty dies, or will he cease
participating in European affairs
and await the outcome of the elec-
ton?
From all the opinions 1 have
heard. 1 can say the general i'm
preston is that Mr.. Wilson will be
as aggressive as ever. Further
more, 1 find many asking whether
there will not be a reaction in
America against the Senats,if the
treaty is defeated. In the final
analysis the situation is about
this. A few months ago Europe
was inclined to believe that Mr.
Wilson and all his influence was
dead and that Europe had only to
mark time until a new President
and a new policy would appear.
Now there is a feeling that the
reaction may be to Mr.. Wilson's
side and that it is best from a
European government standpoint to
reconsider seriously the disinclina-
tion to heed the Presidents wishes.
There is no denying the fact that
as far as Europe is concerned
there still is a great sphinx and
oracle in the White House.
II Europe is afraid of anything
it is that Mr.. Wilson has come
back.