Evening star., 1920-02-21
Cancellation POLICY
IN EAST IS INDICATED
Councils Decision as to Turks and
Caucasian Republics Seen as
Move Against Bolshevism.
, ny WILLIAM e. NASH.
~ CableGram to The Star and the
CAlease Daily News. Copyright. 1920.

~ Cablegram 10 The Star and the
CA1easo Daily News, Copyright. 1920.
PARIS. Franco. February 1S-The
decision of the supreme council in
London that the Turks should re-
main in Constantinople and the re-
cent "de facto" recognition of the
three Caucasian republics probab bly,
Indicates that the allies have started
new policy in the east-one of con-
eiliation. Something had to be done
to meet the bolshevist menace
around the Caspian sea, for Afghanis-
tan. India. Mesopotamia and other
British possessions or protectorates
were gravely threatened.
First, apparently. it was decided to
placate the Turks and thus avoid the
danger of a rising in the rear. and,
second, il seems as If an attempt had
to be made to consolidate native op-
position to bolshevism in the Cau-
casus. The peoples there could hard
" be expected to fight the battles Of
England If they were not recognized
as worthy of independence.
Perhaps, the most important OF the
new Caucasian nations is Azerbaidjan.
It Is the only Mohammedan republic
in the world. 1t has 5.000, 900 inhab-
itants about the Caspian port of Baku.
Although tiny in area. it is very rich
In Oil, cotton, tea and agricultural
products. From political point OF
view il stands out as buner state
between Russia and the British
spheres of influence in Mesopotamia
and Persia. There can be little doubt
that il Great Britain fights the reds
en- the Persian border, as she may
have to do by reason of her treaty
with the shah, she will welcome the
aid of $4,000 native troops in Aver.
baidjan. Likewise the recognition of
this Mohammedan state ought to have
q happy effect on the Moslem popula-
lions of India, Syria, Mesopotamia and
Arabia.
rAIl the British troops have been
withdrawn from Baku,' said the fat.
pudgy little man who is at the same
time president of the Azerbaidjan peace
delegation and provisional president Of
the republic, but Great Britain con-
tinues to give US advice through high
ccmmissioEer established in the capital
No other great power has a diplomat
CT equal rank among us. A French COM
missioner left Paris this very morning,
but some time must elapse before his
arrival. Italy is represented by a spe-
cial military mission. The United
States has only Col. Haskell as repre-
sentative to all the Caucasus countries"
"Are you making active preparations
to meet the bolshevist menace" asked
''No." replied the president. They
are still far away across the Caspian
sea. Our most immediate enemy is
Gen. Denikin, who bitterly clings to
the reactionary idea of a greater Rus
sia. Fortunately. however. he is not
very strong at present.
'What are your future political
p1ans?" was my next query. DO you
wish to become a. British protecto-
rate
by no means" came the answer
1--WE want to live free and untram-
meled by any great power. We would
like to form Caucasian federation
with Georgia and Armenia. but the
latter does not seem to take to the
idea. Then in the distant future, per-
haps, there may be chance of a
union with Persia. Our religion, man
ners and customs are much the same
as hers and the Persian language is
similar to ours. The commercial con-
nections between the two countries
are strong But for the moment. be-
lieve me, there is no necessity for
such plans. All the world has need of
our exports of naphtha, benzine. gaso-
line and crude oil. We are rich
enough and capable enough to govern
ourselves"