Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-12-05

~UCCESSFCL settlement of the
Armenian issue is vital to the
advance of the old world. Upon
maneuvers. diplomatic. politi-
cal and financial, in this section of
the world within the course of the
next few months. If not weeks, may
depe- i the safety Of all southeastern
E. ype. Armenia herself has 1T not
within her power to mold destinies.
But in the multitudinous questions
that have arisen over the complete
overrunning of this oppressed little
country. the conflict of aspirations OF
European powers in the near east,
coupled with the liaison between
Turkish nationalists and the bolshe-
-viks of Russia there lie dangers
'a-plenty.
The whole near eastern situation is
giving the statesmen of the world
grave hours of speculation. But
though these statesmen may Fave
been bent upon salvaging some por-
tionS of their national aspirations IN
the near east out of the wreckage
caused by the increasing strength
and menace of the Turkish national
lists, diplomats realize that even their
own hopes finally must be abandoned
if necessary for the veal of the whole
European continent. The bolshevlks
march into Constantinople, there to
10 almost as they will. unless vast
armed allied forces are brought into
play.
Shun Armed Conflict.
Statesmen of the world today are
stunning armed conflict if it is pos
sible. In the league of nations as
raci1 ranrpSQnf.
ing Great Britain, did not progress
far in obtaining authorization of an
armed force of $4,000 men ostensibly
TO save Armenia But Vivian, the
noted French leader. had little trouble
I'm bringing about proposals Tor me-
diation in Armenia. mediation, when
will not embrace solely the protection
of Armenia, but negotiations whlch
may force the complete revising OF
territorial adjustments under the
treaty of Sevres and give back to
Turkey the dominions wrested from
her under the guise of European
manufactures. And President Wilson.
who has volunteered for the role OF
mediator, undoubtedly must proceed
with utmost caution. Even should
events in the near east remain sta
tionary for weeks to come. the dlf1-
Guilty in adjusting the situation would
be extremely hazardous. but in view
of the possible aggression of the boil
sheyiks, the collapse of the Grecian
armies and the possible peril to al
lied forces in all sections of the near
east, the task will prove infinitely
harder than may be imagined by the
layman, who may look at Armenia
and the near east with sentimental
hut no political viewpoint.
The situation. may be summarized
at the moment as follows: Mustapha
Renal. the nationalist leader, who has
succeeded in paralyzing the power of
the Turkish government and succeed
ed in crystallizing sentiment among
preponderant numbers of Turks, has
allied himself with the bolsheviks and
has gained munitions funds and other
essentials deemed necessary by Mos
COW to expel the European powers
from Turkey. Mustapha Renal saw
fit to strike to the east and practf-
caI1y annihilate the Armenian peo-
pies. To this the bolsheviks have OBJ
jected, evidently desiring that Ar
.1nenia be protected not only for the
. sake of currying further favor in
those regions, designed as jumping
of places for the extension of boil
shevist influences through the whole
of the Mohammedan world. but the
bolshevists are desirous that Renal
move at once on the allies
Reds Have Advantage.
Though there appears to be a split
between the Turks and the Reds, this
probably will not remain permanent
because the bolsheviki realize that
Mustapha Renal is dependent upon
them in large measure. The Grecian
armies in Smyrna, and. in fact, in
practically all of the villayets taken 4
over by the allies, are reported in
danger Of collapsing through govern
ton. The allies have not sufficient
troops successfully to combat the