Evening journal., 1922-11-14
EDITORIAL OPINION
TURKISH pnANs OF EXPANSION

| TUfHlSH PIANS Or EAfANslON
From the New York Herald.
The military preparations in Jugo-
Slavia and Bulgaria and the intense
interest manifested throughout the
whole Balkan territory and the Dan
ubs Valley in the Near East situa-
tion clearly indicate the reaction of
these States to Turkish arrogance
and aggressiveness. The Kemalists'
defeat OF the Greeks. their stand at
the Dardanelies and before Constan-
| tinople and their re-entry into east
ern Thrace have given 10 the Turks
the assurance and bravado which
they have always shown in success
In the demands they viii present
at the Lausanne conference they
make no concealment Of a policy OF
expansion. What the Balkans fear
In this policy IS that the Turks aim
at expansion in Europe at the ex-
penss OF the Balkan States.
The demand for reparation against
Greece. IL successful. would bury
Greece helpiessly beneath a heavy
7 UuIutA VI Inv hAAANAUAAelA AN
mand for western Thrace shows a
determination practically to destroy
Greece as an independent State.
There is no good ground for the
Turks attitude toward western
Thrace. The country was taken
from them in the Balkan wars and Il
was Internationally awarded TO
Greece by the Paris treaties. The
Balkan States looked 20 its sea coast
to furnish outlets to the Hgean and
there have been negotiations be-
tween them and Greece with this
point in view.
A possibility OF an accord among
the southeastern European States
appears In the recent understanding
reached between Serbia and Ru-
mania on one side and Bulgaria on
the other. Bulgaria at least refuses
to align herself with Turkey. even
though she might thereby gain a
promise Of way down the Martha
Valley to her coveted port of Dedea-
Catch. The long headed Premier,
stambuliski. seems to see In such
bargain an alliance that would place
Bulgaria in an unenviable position
in relation TO the remainder OF
Europe. In other words, Bulgaria
would be paying too high a price for
her seaport. The Balkans are Justi-
fed in their belief that their best
protection against Turkish agrees
sion lies in a strong union.
The Kemaiists' plans for expansion
in Asia include the control OF the
NTosul region to be taken from the
British, and the readjustment of the
Syrian boundary at the expense OF
the French. The territory in both
Instances Is in such a position as
to open the way for further advances.
The Mosul region is a key TO the
Mesopotamian Valley and Bagdad
Syria opens the way to northern
Arabia and Palestine. II IS not a
State OF which only Anatolia and
eastern Thrace are component parts
but a Turkey restored to the borders
OF the former Ottoman Empire I
which Kemal and his advisers seek.
The Angora Assembly insists that
the Turkish demands shall be pre-
sented at the conference practically |
as a Turkish ultimatum. It Is con-
tinuing this arrogant policy by in
slsting upon the occupation of Con-
stantinople and the straits and the 4
evacuation of the whole territory
by the Allied Commission, and also
by refusing to accept the compro-
mise plan proposed by the Allies for
the government of the straits zone.
The Turk foresees in his success at
Lausanne the realization of his
dreams OF empire-of the star and
crescent restored TO the Egean coast
and Mesopotamia.
The Turk will firmly maintain this
position and the only force which can
defeat him is complete accord among
the Allies. That he Is endeavoring
to break this unity is evident. It'll
Is the Turks traditional resort. ri
he succeeds allied Europe's prestige
At Constantinople and In the Orient
passes and the Balkans and the Nsarl