Evening star., 1921-06-05
MENACE TO ALLIES
IN NEAR EAST GREAT
Show of Strength and United Endeavor
Now May Save Situation-Bolshevik-
Turk Union Offers Chief Danger.

vered and nurtured by Krassin. and
in which Bolshevik Russia pledged II
self to refrain from intrigue in the
near east, particularly that whrch
might hazard English influence, II
nevertheless is a fact that the Turk
ish show OF strength at the present
moment, tho bolshevick union OF III
tie trancaucasion countries once
part of the old Russia, and overtures
to Afghanistan are entirely Que 10
bolshevik influence, and this influence
is not furthered for any other. reason
than to undermine the British.
Two Courses Open.
There are two courses open for the
allies at the moment. either united
military action against the Turks and
bolsk in the regions where they
are most menacing or the backing of
the Grecian forces who have been en-
gagged ever since Mustapha Kemal
took it upon himself to resist the
treaty of Sevres The Greeks with
proper allied aid have it within their
power to strike a deadly blow at
KemaI and the bolsheviks The
Greeks must have money and muni-
tions. however. before any further
blows will be effective. The allies
must furnish these sinews II they
would win and perpetuate their
course.
The allies right here are placed
in an embarrassing position. Tor out
few months back they closed their
purse to Greece and said. fguratively
speaking: I'VE will have none OF
YOU. You are properly rebuked for
daring to reseat Constantine on the
throne. You shall carry out your i'm
perialistic desires in Asia Minor with
out our assistance"
1t would be a rather sad blow to
allied prestige to have to resort to
"right-about-face" merely for the
sake of perpetuation of their own
interests. BY this they not only
would admit their impotency to pur-
sue vigorous course. but 1t would
place them in position where they
would have to bottle-feed Greece until
the day all danger to allied Interests
in the near east had passed. ~
May Take Middle Ground.
1t is more to be believed that the
statesmen of allied countries will
adopt a middle ground and endeavor
not only to reach some sort of COM
promise which will preclude a new
war with Turkey and indirectly
bolshevik Russia. They may assist
Greece. but with reservations as to
and political
In the face of threatened united
pressure Kemal might see At to give
in. In face of their own impotency
in pressing further campaigns in the
near east, Greece would have to con-
sent to certain stipulations deemed in
the interest of the allies future in
terests in the straits and Constan-
tinople. while the allies may be forced
TO yield many points to all if any
compromise is effected. Thus, it
would become very much of a COM
promise. and as compromises are not
always to the best political advantage
OF any nation participating in them,
particularly when issues are as clean
cut as they are in the near east, all
countries would more or less suffer
in the march of time
But something must be done. This
Is admitted by all. The fact of the
matter is, should the bolsheviks con-
tlnue to spread their influence in
regions bordering upon India and
should they lend Kemal military and
economic aid sufficient for him to
overthrow the old Turkish govern
ment. once there would be created
q oecided menace to not only allied
interests in the near east, but Eu-
ropean territories as well.
Ihere is to be no discountine the fra.
mendous strength that might be MAY.
snaieo against allied interests and na =
tlons skirting upon Turkey and there.
lore; hereditary enemies of the Moslems.
~ - me TURK -ooishevik union can be so
erected as to bring great pressure "a
bear from southeastern Earone the hai1
sheviks have it within their nower 10
strike northeastern and centrai-easte,n
europe, thereby furthering the success
OF any invasion that might be contem-
plated.
Dangers of Invasion.
Should the bolshevik blow to Rumania
actually come and red forces take all
of Bessarabia and enter Rumania with
consequent overthrow Of the Bucharest
government, this in itself would be a |
tremendous blow to central European
interests. but If there should be added |
pressure from the Kemalists against |
Constantinople, eventual success and |
subsequent invasion of Europe with .he !,
purpose of retaining all lost Turkish |
territories, the allies will have to resort !
to even more herculean measures than
would be necessary il they handle the |
Turkish situation with expedition now.
For. with the hosts of a great section |
of European Russia and Asia ut their
back and with the whole Moslem world !
aroused against the allies, condition |
which will result if the .Kemalists are |
permitted to succeed. there is question !
as to just when and where the bolshev,x
influence can be checked as it marches !!
westward.
r-~