Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-11-20
BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.


TxPEDIENCY in the perpetual
- ton of nationalistic desires
has supplanted allied concord
In the near east Much
Wanted concert in wiping out for
ever the influence of the Turk in
international affairs has faded as
smoke before high winds. The treaty
of Sevres has been made a pitiful thing,
and now may be regarded much as
the kaiser regarded the treaty pro-
tecting the inviolable rights Of Bel
GUM. "a scrap of paper
The treaty has furthered no other
ends than placing new territories IN
the hands of European powers. In
this 1t has created occasion for trlc-
ton, causes for new troubles between
the foreign offices of the various ma
lions which by united action not only
frustrated the will of the central
powers but scotched the Turk. Under
the press of European circumstances
these allied governments. with their
territories, control of which was
given to them under mandatorlal
guises, find themselves at odds.
The months that have elapsed since
the signing of the treaty of Sevres
have witnessed tremendous transfor-
nation not only of policy but action
toward the Turks. all founded upon
the very essence of nationalistic
selfishness and the perpetuation of
nationalstic advantages. There is
little defense for the present situation
If the allies really swore fealty to
common action in dealing with the
Turk. For IL ever there were such
agreements they have been SO torn
asunder as to place the European ma
tons upon q footing of self-seeking
to the exclusion of the interests of the
allies as whole.
4 X X x
When the treaty of Sevres was
signed by the powers it was desired
to Illustrate Turkish desires The al
lies dealt with the former Turkish
government in Constantinople. The
European powers feigned bitter en-
nifty toward the government of Mus
with the nationalist leader of the
Turks in close utilization with the
Russian reds. There was much ado
over what the Turks would be forced
to do. The allies received certain
manufactures in former Turkish terri
tory, all Of which were bitterly re-
scented by Mustapha kemal. who de-
clared war upon those powers he In
sisted were striving to forever wipe
out Mohammedan peoples and inter-
ests. The ill-timed Grecian expedition
got under way. 1t has failed to i'm
press the Turks and at the same time
Is dangerously near colldpSe lie
French in Syria and Cilicia came into
conflict with the Turks with the re-
suit that the French decided Cllicia
was not worth. as realm of infiu-
ence, the lives and money it was cost
ing and withdrew back to Syria.
X X x j:
There has been conflict between
Turkish and British interests, but the
fact that the British have had excel
lent training in dealing with the Mo-
hammedans has stood them in good
stead. They have protected their in
terests in Palestine. Mesopotamia and
India in spite of Turkish enmity and
have lived up to agreements with
F,mir Feisal, who is to preside over
Trak. an Arabic kingdom, and which
has been frowned upon by the
French, who have considered Feisal
merely tool in the hands of the
British to extend British influence
over a greater section of the Moham-
medan world.
The British. recognizing that ke-
NAL is to be the power to be reckoned
with in Turkey. have made unofficial
tenders with the view of clearing up
some troublesome issues, but no defi-
mite arrangements have been entered
into. In fact, the British look askance
ON the agreements which are reported
to have been effected between kemal-
lists. France and Italy
The viewpoint of the British at the
moment is that France has not played
in good faith in perpetuating the COM
munity of allied ideas in regard to
Turkey and that the French agree
ment particularly has done much to
undermine allied influence in the Mo-
hammedan world. The French may
retaliate that the British are holding
Constantinople in their hands and I'M
doubtedly will continue to do so.
though the French claims for manda-
tortal powers In the former Turkish
capital and straits have been adj
vanced. At least the French nave
argued there should be no Droponder-
emit influence of any one nation in
Constantinople, yet the British have
made theirs the voice to dictate in the
old capital.
X X X X
The reported agreement between
the French is said TO embrace secret
pact wherein the French will strive
to bring about return of Thrace TO
tho Turks. The British radically
oppose this for as long as the Turks
controlled Thrace they were In touch