Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-09-26
LEVANT COOLING DOWN

TNlIE friendly intcrchaug" n thanak.
whcrc the white flag ScrIns I" have
been aCCorted ~ symbol ot good follow
ship. furnish n striking aud welcome anti
climax to both Turkish and British war
cries
While it is true that the kcmalists are
still proclaiming dissatisfaction with the
allied terms, their protests suggest the usual
over statements Of prospective parties TO
reaCe settlement The excellence of the
Turkish position nt the coming Conclavc is
undenable, and Mustapha Kema would be
reckless, indeed, TO obsnur" his advantage
with demands likely to strengthen the accord
of the principal Western Powers.
The victory of Kemal'S troops over tho
weakened and DISCONTINUED Greek Army of
King Constantine has invested TN" Nation
nlist leader with pr"Stg" unimaginabl" in
1910. The Turks have already been vir-
tually assured th" possession It Asia Minor,
the most valuable portion II Thracr, in
Guiding Adrianoplc; control Of tonstanti-
nopl" with provisos. and an opportunity I"
consolidate and reorgan2c tn" Ottoman
Empire. which had boon rcgar rd"d as extinct.
These concessions. resulting from the COM
paratively easy defeat Of Il weak foe. cX-
Cmplify the rcuCtanc" of the Allies, III spite
Of their cross purposes and S!de-door in
triguing in the Near East. to embark on
new war. IT is. more than anything else.
the threat Of such conflict which has
brought Great Britain and Franc" to a COM
mon basis Of policy.
ono" anything lih" agreement is achieved,
tho ability of In" Turk to trrror2r Western
civilization is markedly reduced. The white
flag at Channk does not only mean the dis
inclination Of the Kcmal>rs t" challenge the
British empire. but the revival OF the old
respect for Europe united, if only momru-
tarily. in n single Program. Mess the
Turkish chicftain Is NbSurdly infatuated By
the substantial success which h" has won
thus far. the chances for a new treaty re-
placing the diScrcditcd pact Of Scvres are
distinctly favorable.
Tie proposal I" establish League Of
Nations supervision at th" Dardanelles,
which. while admitting Turkish sovereignty.
Will aim {" prevent abuse of key position
either by the Ottumnns or by any Of tho
Western Powers. contains tn" possibilities
Of n solution Of a c"nturicS- problem.
one OF the curious paraduNes Of this
proiect is tho fact that Turkey has not Yet
been enrolled in the international society.
Her admission. however. might conceivahly
have the OBJECT vi strengthening Turkish
national dignity, Will" NJ the same time
clearing til" League from charge Of one
sdedneSs in exclusive fnvor Of tho victors
in tho World War. Tho propu>tion is as
vet in tho nchulous stage. but il is worth
noting that Governments in qUandary are
turning {" tho League for r"licf
Where tho conference is lk"!y to be Seri-
ously embarrassed is in the question Of the
,irock claims to Thracc Assignment Of
even a portion Of this i"rr!tury 70 Turkey
j. certain to provoke much moro resentment
in Athens then the loss Of all AUia Minor
Although the situation is still delicate.
It may be regarded as vastly improved
within the last few days. Tho danger Of
n general war in tho Near East is reccding
in favor Of less alarming if bitter strug-
gle around the confcronc" table