New-York tribune., 1922-10-08
oone Perplexing Questions for the United States
Freedom of Straits, Protection
of Philanthropy, Status of
Minorities Involved

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"hich represent merely "uninformed
eiamor' This Is entirely natural. for
IN every widespread movement Of this
sort there is bound to be considerable
misconception or ignorant hysteria
Yet that is by no means the whole
story.
Ihere is also sober, sane and
urgent belief on the part of we'll IN.
FORMED and patriotic Americans that
the present situation in the Near East
is serious menace to American In
'erests. This opinion is based on fa-
m'iiarity with the Near East and on
long study Of the problems involved.
ls Is not exclusively missionary
point Of view. There are large bus;-
ness and shipping interests involved
winch also view the entire problem
with deep concern. The protection Of
American rights in Turkey is not q
new question, for our connection with
the Near East dates from long before
the World War. Furthermore, intelli-
gent opinion realizes that the failure
TO apply preventive policy increases
the menace of future disturbances.
The present crisis is therefore v;tallv
connected with the preservation .of
general peace and with the recovery of
the world from the effects Of the re-
cent catastrophe Of the World War.
1t Is consequently impossible to dis
ov{t
or to view 1t merely as the result of
special form Of propaganda and of
misplaced religious zeal intrudinr In
the field of politics. Wild and has+v
demands for ill-considered action ON
the part Of our government are not
likely to succeed. There remains. how
ever, desperate condition of affairs
IN the Near East which will not down
and for which America bears her own
due share Of responsibility.
1t would unnecessarily confuse the
issue to-day to discuss the origin and
degree Of that responsibility as to spe-
cific matters. To judge from the char
acter Of recent discussion of the mat
ter, neither Republican nor Demo-
cratic leaders are prepared to make
the Near East partisan issue. Aside
from the past history Of our policy
toward Turkish affairs, we can all
agree that America, BIS we'll as the rest
of the world, bears deep responsible
ity for the preservation Of peace. The
Eastern question has been the cause
Of many wars in tins past and was
in large way, perhaps, the chief
cause Of the World War. It is plain
question to-day whether the United
States Is to realize and carry her
share Of responsibility in preventing
the recurrence of conditions which en-
danger our own interests and which
are menace to world peace. Any con-
structive proposals must depend on
analysis Of the facts in the case and
our readiness to pay the price of
peace.
Present Relations With
Turkey Are Abnormal
AT present our relations with Turkey
are abnormal. After we entered the
World War Turkey broke off diplomatic
relations with the United States on
April goth, 1917. Later we did not
declare war on Turkey, nor did we take
part in the negotiations for the restora-
tion of peace between the Allies and
Turkey. Thus we did not sign the
Treaty Of Sevres on August 10, 1920.
When President Wilson found that the
Senate would not accept the Treaty
of Versailles and when the plan failed
to have the United States accept
mandate for Armenia q change of