The Washington herald., 1921-09-06
The Greek Advance.

NHE end IS not yet, but the Greeks seem to
i have the Kemalist Turks in serious situa-
ton. Their own line would have been very vulner-
able, if the Turks had had an effective army ade-
quately aarmed That it did not attack somewhere
on the long, deep salient, conclusive that they
had neither the right morale the right equip
ment. Fortune certainly has favored the Greeks,
who wisely did not hurry their final advance So
The only strongly defensive position between
them and Angora, the Nationalist Turk capital, was
the Sakaria River. They took their good
time in preparation before attacking this stronghold.
though it is said Nstionalists had already removed
their seat of government some 100 miles to the
southeast Of Angora. The capture of Angora will,
therefore, have but moral effect as it forces
the Turks farther into what is practically unriendy
territory.
When the Greeks began this final advance, they
were we'll prepared The contact came at the SAX
aria and the Turks made a stubborn defense ap-
parently with initial success But they were out
numbered and out-armed. For days there was no
report through Constantinople Finally the
good news came of Greek victory and then the
pail again settled There is reason for fair conf
dence, however that the Greeks will reach and
take Angora, which they announce they will not
permanently hold but will Soon fall back to the
Bagdad Railroad. 1t is to be devoutly hoped that
their victory will be complete in prisoners and
crippled for offensive operations.
As it. is, the Kemaists have lost prestige. They
have been defeated They have shown their weak
ness and lack of resources. They now known
to be poorly armed and that they expect no
help from Russia. They using all their reserves.
For these reasons the Armenians, Georgians and
Azerbaijanians occupying all the country back OF
them to the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus, are
stirring in revolt. They seeing their time to
their independence.
At the height of the Nationalist Turk move
ment, in alliance with Bolshevk Russia, these three
extensive divisions between the TurkshBolshe-
vIc Jaws They forced to accept Bolshevism
with Turkish control. If they aroused, and they
reported armng; if they attack the Sarrisons
weakened by the withdrawal of TROOPS to the 'front.'
the situation will be reversed and Kemal will be
between hostile Jaws
His remaining source Of supplies will be cut off.
He will have means of rcplenshng his ammuni-
tions and no haven of refuge in all Asia Minor. 1t
is this phase of the situation which to the
onlookers most serious for the Turks and most en-
couraging for the Greeks, who now have won the
prestige of success, but having learned lesson,
have not let success turn their heads The Turks
have never been loyal to failures, but there is no
other authority to step into Kenials place free of
blame for his failure. Without him the Turks be-
come dsorganizcd mass, without leadership and
broken, for warfare, into bandit bands.
What the allies will do remains to be seen.
How much the Greeks will be permitted to profit
by their victory, will be settled at distant council
Of other powers. That she be robbed of all her
gains is hardly possible that she will be permitted
their full value is improbable Yet for the first
time, there will be no Turkey. AS nationality, it
will have to be restored under the Sultan at Con-
stantinople 1t will have to be almost International
lied or inundated. The problem rests upon how
far the jealousy of Italy and France toward Greece
will be allowed to recall the Turk trading stock,
and offset their own extraterroral, imperalist
billions and greed against world interests and world
peace.