The Washington times., 1922-09-19
WAR RECEDES
IN BALKANS As.
BRITAIN STALLS
France Winning Points in
Diplomatic Battle Be-
hind Scenes.
By FRANK CHARLTON.
International News Service Foreign News
Editor.

Editor.
Behind che Balkan war scare-now
being rapidly dispelled-a mighty bat
tie Of international diplomacy is
being waged with the destiny of ma
tiOns at stake.
The central figures in this conflict
Of diplomats are Great Britain and
France. So far the British have been
out-maneuvered and France has been
successful in drawing into her fold
numerous allies. Great Britain, TO
some extent has been isolated In
her Near East policy and her atti.
tude has, been considerably modified
since Sunday when 1t was proclaim.
ed that the whole British empire war
preparing for war.
Situation I'm a Nutshell.
The situation In short is as fol.
lows:
Great Britain and France are
divided upon many international
issues, chief OF which Is allied press
ure upon Germany to secure pay
ment OF German indemnity. WhcI.
the Turkish Nationalists defeated tire
Greeks and compelled the withdrawal
France saw her chance. France had
been giving moral land perhaps mate
riaD support TO the Turkish Ma
tionalists all along. France had n
treaty with the Turkish Nationalist
government at Angora. The British
! were supporting the Greeks.
Great Britain has vast interests
in the Near East, and II Is held
by London to be almost q matter
Of life and death to British inter
ests In the East that the Turkish
Straits las the Dardanelles Sea- OF
Marmora and Bosphorus are known)
be neutralized or else be British.
France is less interested on that
subject. But not 80 Russia Dc
spite the change Of government in
Russia from imperialism to Boil
shevisni, the dream of Russian
control OF the straits continues. II
Russia comes to dominate the
Angora government land Moscow
has a close alliance with the
Turks) II might prove tantamount
to Russian control OF these strategic
waterways.
Britain was ready to make war
to hold the Turkish Straits. She
found II necessary 10 her policy
to have the support of her old.time
allies and perhaps some OF the
Balkan States.
In effect, France probably said
to London: you have opposed our
occupation of the German Ruhr
district. You have blocked our
efforts to impose fresh penalties
upon Germany to compel her to
pay her indemnity. You. have given
your friendship to Germany thus
encouraging her to oppose the
French demands. You have re.
fused to cancel the war debt we
owe you although we made favor
able conditions. Now IL you want
to go to war you must go alone.
Nationalist Turkey is our ally any
how"
France Gets Italy's Support.
France gained the support OF
Italy, for Italy Is too full of unrest
to riskG war right now. France
already kad the support Of Belgium.
France is 80 close to the little
! entente-Rumania, Jugoslavia and
echoslovakia-that she felt sure
Of their support.
Thus England was faced with the
necessity OF modifying her policy.
The battle is still on with Russia
the dark horse. Russia Is demand.
ing a voice in the Near East peace
conference. The Turks are favor.
able to this request. But Britain
and France have not yet had their
say upon this cause. There is still
much diplomatic maneuvering 20
be done before a parley Is arranged.
England will act cautiously for she
knows that war between the British
and Turks will menace the empire
with a Moslem uprising in India
which might detach that vast ter.
ritory from the British common.
wealth nations.