Evening star., 1921-06-19
ny OLIVER OWEN KUHN.

~ FANATIC events are imminent
in the near east, particularly
in Anatolia. where. under the
theoretical leadership of King
Constantine, Grecian troops
soon will assume their new offensive
against the Turkish nationalists under
Mustapha Kemal: where many British
warships have been assembled and
where soon, undef British tutelage.
elections are to be held by Arabic peo-
Piles and a home rule established sim
liar to that long dreamed of and actu-
ally promised by the allies to obtain
Arabic support in their offensive
against the Turks during the course
of the world war
The Grecian offensive. fraught as 1t
is with the gravest dangers not only
for Greece. but allied influence. pos
sibly will be more dramatic than the
establishment of an Arab-ruled en-
pire, but both are events extremely
perilous to Europe and particularly to
continued working agreements be-
tween the allies.
Allied prestige through this section
of the world is in danger of being un-
-
velopment of this great section and
those wherein Mohammedan persua-
sion prevails is at stake. But the al
lies have it within their power to deal
tremendous blow to bolshevism and
the Lenin government in Moscow il
the situation develops in their favor.
On the other hand, IL events should
turn against them. as ! have repeat
edly stated in the past two years. the
menaceSto Europe becomes actual and
immediate. particularly in view of
known plans. of Russo-Turkish CO.
and the whole of southeastern and
eastern Europe.
BoIshevik Interests.
The Grecian offensive naturally
must hold the. spotlight during the
doubtful! period which must prefail
for several weeks. The Turks are
declared to have a. well organized
force of more than 125.000 men. The
Greeks have a slightly larger number.
and possibly are better munitioned
and equipped for decisive struggle.
though this remains in doubt as long
as the exact character of aid furnish
ed. to the Kemalists by Russia remains
undetermined. That this has been in
no small measure is unquestioned.
Though Kemal has refused to pledge
bolshevist regime in Turkey. the
Russians realize that if they can sur
TeptitlOuSlS StTlhe dt dllleO prestige
through successful Turkish opera
tions much will have been gained in
the general cause Of undermining al
lied political influence. And the un-
dermining of allied influence means
the nominance of another political
be tool at the moment. Lenin and
Trotsky always have been able to dis
card dplled tools in the past. There
is no reason to believe that once Ke-
Il -.
bolshevists will not. through long
practiced deVilish Vaccinations. over
throw him and make Turkey what
they will. The fact that the British
now have large fleet in striking dis
tance Of important ports Of Turkey Is
indicative of the fact that Downing
street realizes that the Turks il sue
ceSsful against the Greeks might. with
aid of the reds of Russia. strike out
in more ambitious endeayor which
ture of Constantinop1e. The British
therefore. are ready for any contin-
Rency. Furthermore. IL the tides Of
battle should go against the Greeks
success. with doubtful after results.
the British might. by changing their
announced policy CT .ieutrality in the
conflict, lend material assistance to
the Greeks at the crucial time. not
only uphold already existent treaty
viks a deadly blow. At least they
will be in position to assist the main
tenance of Turkish government
more in sympathy with allied desires
IT. the near eaSt-a government that
will be. ready to cooperate rather
than resist in the fulfillment of treaty
terms.
Outcome Is Doubtful.
There is another situation. however.
that must be dealt with and there is
doubt as to an outcome not embar-
RAISING to the allies. France and
Britain have as yet refused to recog-
nize Constantine. Their feeling was
manifest in the departure from
Smyrna of allied warships rather than
salute the incoming monarch who ar
rived there, during the past week.
Should the allies not aid the Greeks
and should the latter be successful.
Constantine declares that the ancient
Byzantine empire will be established
and his throne will be in Constanti-
nopIe. Now the allies have no desire
to see such thing accomplished. par
ticularly the British. The allies would
control Constantinople and the straits
for all time and would not permit
them to remain in the hands of any
one power unless forced to do SO.
The British warships on the scene
might prevent Constantine from carry
ing out his rather bombastic boasts