Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-09-26
There Is Grave Danger of
Another World War; Says
Man Who Served u, S, in
ConStantinopIe

conditions In Asia Minor are 80 sc"
rious that there is great danger of
recrudescence of the world war
declared Oscar S. Straus, twice min
lister and former ambassador to Tur-
key, in an exclusive interview, to-
day.
The former ambassador, who is
probably as familiar with the Turk
ish question as any other man in
America, emphasized these points in
his interview:
One: Turkey, Russia and Ger
many. with one or more Of the Bal
kan states, may pool their forces
against the allied powers.
Two: The United States, for its
enlightened self-interest, may be
compelled to take a part in prevent
ing world conflagration and in re-
storing peace.
Three: A general conflagration
can be avoided only if (O Great Brit
ain, France and Italy reach an i'm
mediate agreement and Cb) if the
treaty of Versailles be materially re-
Vised.
-Four: The present menacing con-
dition would not have developed had
1.-THE United States, under any res
ervations we chose to make, joined
the league Of nations"
Five: Venizelos, Greek premier ex.
lied at return Of Constantine,
should be Immediately recalled and
placed in power
II 90 not wish to be a prophet of
evil" said the former ambassador,
'but the danger Of an outbreak of
the world war is great. say great
because the present state Of affairs
may bring Germany, Russia, Tur.
| key and one or more Of the Balkan
states together in close alliance.
Nothing to Lose
The militarist and monarchical
parties in Germany have nothing to
lose and everything to gain, in their
estimation, by joining with Russia
and Turkey. Furthermore, the Rus
sian soviet system would be immeas-
urably advanced by such an alliance.
| To-day, Russia has in readiness
the greatest army in the world. That
army, organized and led by German
officers, can be enlarged to any ex-
| tent.
with the world exhausted az 1t
| is, bleeding at every wound, another
|
| Of endless woes in The disorganiza-
ton it may bring within the allied
nations themselves"
Straus discussed the causes Of the
present situation.
For the past 100 years the east.
ern question has 'menaced the peace
of Europe not because Of the domi.
nant power of Turkey but because
Of the jealousy and the antagonistic
! interests Of European powers in re-
spect to Turkey.
1.-The diplomacy Of the Turk has
been to take advantage Of this IN.
tago1iism.
| THE present situation has devel-
cped because Turkey took advantage
Of the jealousy between Great Brit.
ain, Italy and France.
"A new world conflagration may
ensue unless Great Britain, Italy and
France come promptly to accord. It
was their failure to act in concert
that caused the present situation to
develop.
Had the United States joined the
league of nations, the dominant moral
prestige Of our country could have
prevented the disagreement between
the allies and brought about an
agreement in regard to Turkey. Then
Greece would not have dared to be-
| gin the war.
But Greece is Immediately re-
sponslble for the present condition.
During the war that nation was un
der the leadership of Venizelos, who
proved. himself one Of the foremost
statesmen of the allied powers. After
deserving so well of his country he
| was deposed and made an exile.
Agreement Needed
| Had he been at the head Of af.
fairs, Greece would not be in the
plight she is in today. To escape
from this plight, to avoid another
world war, I would emphasize the
necessity of these steps: ~ there
must be immediate agreement be-
tween the, allied powers-Great Brit
ain, France, Italy and the others and
| ~ Venizelos should be recalled i'm
mediately and placed in power in
Greece.
And furthermore, if we are going
to avoid another war, the Versailles
| treaty will have to be materially re-.
v1sed. This revision is possible only
II the allied powers come to prompt
agreement. Only solid diplomatic
front on the part Of the allies can
bring Renal and his forces to terms.
| ut is world calamity that we
nave not co.operated with the allies
by joining the league of nations.
Had we Joined, the present sit
uation, I believe, would not have
arisen. AS things now stand, it is
within the realm Of probability that
for enlightened self-interest we may
De compelled to take part in pre-.
venting a world conflagration and
in restoring peace.
| And all this menacing condition
finds it's cause now, as in the past,
in the opportunity given to the
Turks by the mutual jealousy of
those who opposed them. The pres
ent lack Of concord between Great
Britain, France and Italy emphasizes
the fact that the treaty of Versailles
was in many respects unwise and
was stimulated by spirit Of reveng,
rather than by that of calm and for
Ward-lool1ing craftsmanship"
State DEPARTMENT