The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1922-11-16
WORLD FACING
SERIOUS CRISIS"
Herbert A. Gibbons Pre-
sents Interesting Inter-
national Problem.
SPEAKS OF NEAR EAST

sounded grave keynote of danger in
international affairs, which the Keno
sha audience, no doubt, with most AM
orleans had never conceived, in such
close relation with themselves. To
be shaken out of beautiful atmos-
phere of peace which followed in the
wake of the Armistice Day observance,
| by the sudden presentation of a new
crisis is rather startling experience,
and Mr.. Gibbons audience last eve
ming were left with an uneasy feeling
! of insecurity albeit, a much more
lucid understanding of the conditions
in Europe than they had formerly held.
h Gibbons wide experience as newspa-
Fper correspondent and author, in the
various countries he discussed, made
his lecture most convincing.
Importance of Crisis.
IF at the beginning of the war;"
said Gibbons, I'VE knew that at the
end of period of peace as long in
extent as the war itself, we should be
| face to face with even greater crisis,
our viewpoint would have been much
different. The non chalance which
preceded the crisis of 1914, has al
ready been resumed, and the crises
have both arisen in the same place
the Near East. The latter crisis is
greater than the former because now
it is the struggle between the Eu-
ropean world (including America) and
the Asiatic. These continents are US
ing the small countries of the Balkans
as pawns in the great war.
"The question of how the present
crisis in the Near East arose, must
take us back to the peace conference
in Paris. Contrary to the general be-
/ lief that the commission treated first
with the Germans, is wrong; they first
considered the conditions in the Bal
kans. The five treaties which were
drawn up, were made so similarly that
they stand or fall under the same
tests. They were conceived, first, in
the same spirit of endeavor to carry
out the ideals for which the war was
fought. The reason the countries went
to war against Germany was because
she had proved herself unfit to rule
over other nations. The African pos
sessions of Germany were not returned
for the same reason. The Turks, how
ever, have proved themselves still more
unfit, and have been so barbarous that
it is not possible to pass lightly over
her crimes.
Spirit of Punishment.
! ''The treaties were also conceived
in the spirit of punishment, and the
Paris conference was wise, whether
just or not. The foundation of the
Paris settlement was the guilt of Ger
many and her allies. Beside the same
spirit, the treaties were almost ident-
ical in their terms. The same divi-
sions, the same words were used
throughout. Great force was brought
to bear to make the recreant nations
| sign the statement, but that force is
now lacking to make them live up to
| it.
/ "The treaty with Turkey was not
signed until October 10, 1920, due to
mutual suspicious of the Allies. By
this time, the United States had with
drawn, and was not party to it. Great
wranglings between Great Britain,
France, and Italy then ensued, result
ing in strange compromise, whereby
England promised i to protect France
from the Germans on the Rhine, de-
manding reparation also, and to pro-
tect Italy from her danger of Slav
invasion, if Constantinople and the
straits into the Bosporus and Mediter-
ranean bealeft free to her. Of course,
it has developed that neither side has
/ lived up to the treaty. When France
saw that they were to get no help
they decided to go back and support
\ the Turks against the Greeks, who
were being used as agents for England.
The struggle between Turkey and
Greece today is really greater strug-
gle, with France and Italy against
England. The smaller countries are
used as pawns.
Problems of MOslem Control.
Greece is unfortunate, however,"
said Gibbons, Sin that England can
not openly espouse her cause, for fear
of reprocussion of the Moslem world,
and a loss of India. France, notwith-
standing former strong denunciations,
has indirectly Joined with the Bolshe-
visits Indirectly. 1t seems that France
has changed completely from her
avowals of friendship to Greece in
1917. The cry then was ga common
religion, common. war against the
Turks.
"The remarkable lucid vision of
France, and the sagacity of her moves
are just being appreciated. Recently
she saw the danger of Germany join
ing with Russia, so she Immediately
made overtures to Russia.
Asia is all in sympathy with the
Turks, and any victory of Turkey at
the conference soon to be held, will
lower the prestige of the white man
all over Asia. This will be menace
to the white world, which will con
stantly increase. 1t also would mean
the breaking up of the British En-
pire, and the rule of that empire is
the finest the world has ever known.
"We must have more information.
for knowledge is power. Unified Am
erica was possible only through educa-
ton, and now from thinking national
~, we must think internationally"
Following the lecture, an open forum
was held, and questions on the sub
ject were answered by the speaker.
A vote of thanks and a 'bon voyage"
was given by the audience to E. L.