The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-09-21
7 oday
Another Day of
Questions.
Russia's 5000, 600.
"Apres Vous," Say
France and Italy.
Must We Go In?
By ARTHUR BRISBANE

France and Italy.
Must We Go In?
By ARTHUR BRISBANE
This is another day with all the
news worth while coming from the
other side of the Atlantic. England
has sent her whole array of battle
ships, destroyers, submarines and
flying machine carriers through the
Mediterranean to the Dardanelles-
partly to be ready. partly to impress
the Turks with great display of
strength.
London hears reports that the Rus
slams are getting together an army
OF 100000. Those are Russians that
have been fed. while others have gone
hungry. They are young and con-
WINGED that they are going to change
the worid-a dangerous conviction
for their enemy, when 1t comes to
fighting.
0hAU anu LAZY AHdht II CAcdf ina
just at present they are not violent
" interested in another war. They
have had about enough for while.
Greece has had little more than
enough. Her army of 100000 has
faded away to 10000.
England alone, or part of England,
with Lloyd George for its brain. an
nounces that 1t will not sacrifice the
victories of our gallant sons in the
near east theatre" This is a patri-
otto way OF saying: Having got the
oil wells of Mesopotamia and firm
hold on the Dardanelles out of the
last war, England isn't going to give
up" 1t is her praiseworthy habit,
when the dust settles each time, to be
found holding something new. And
she hangs ON.
Don't think that all this lacks In
tsrest for the United States. Already
you see signs of our dear brothers
In Europe. and some of our foolish
sisters in America, eager to hand
this latest war, or the bill for it, 10
dear old Uncle Sam. Highly moral
gentlemen, including DIR. Barton,
chairman of the near east relief, Sec
rotary of the American board of for
sign missions. say it is our duty to
take the responsibility for the fight
Ing stirred up by the Greek king.
We have great moral interests in
Turkey" and must share RESPONSE
bility."
A high English officer has evolved
a scheme" under which the nations
of the world would be made respon-
sible for Constantinople's neutrality,
Rnd-don't wince-Gen. Leonard
Wood OF the United States would be
put in charge. You can guess who
would be asked to pay the bill.
Then como the women's board of
missions from Boston. telegraphing
President Harding to prevent the oc-
/ cupation of Constantinopls by the
Turks. If7ths big war comes. we shall
be fortunate IL we keep out of It,
Habits are quickly formed, and with
our conferences. our loans, our SEN
timentality and our profiteering
patriots, we have formed the habit
Of considering ourselves responsible
for the land stealing schemes of
other countries.
It Is to be remembered that 1t is
no mere question of war between
Turkey and England. England could
hire men to settle that kind of war.
But when England sends her war
ships, the whole Atlantic fleet, be-
Meath the shadow of Gibraltar,
through to Constantinople, England
is thinking about Russia, her 3,0o0,-
900 men and the 1o.ooo.0oo more that
she could collect. Merely shooting
at that number of men would cost
more than England would want to
spend.
The bright spot in yesterdays news
was a drop in the price of wheat.
Wheat reflects the combined opin-
tens OF the worlds international food
gamblers. They are keen men, well
Informed. If wheat drops. it means
they believe no really big war is
coming.
American citizens should begin
making up their minds what, If any
thing. they intend to do. will they
sand men to be shot in a war started
~ Greeks and Turks to settle the
Quarrels older than this nation? VIII
they mobilize their men and thou
sands of millions to uphold the the
Org that England should control one
entrance to the Mediterranean by ner
possession OF Gibraltar and the other
entrance from the Black sea, by her
control OF Turkish claims in the east !?
That is very sensible idea for
England, whose great need is free
dom for English ships everywhere.
1t is for this country to make up its
mind how much that means to the
United States.
Mr.. Harding says this nation shall
have no part in a new war. No
ships and no men. Good, so far What
about money! And while President
Harding is sincere undoubtedly he is
not the strongest Influence in the
country.
And. Mr.. Wilson kept US out Of
-,ru-for a Uhila