Evening star., 1922-02-19
MOSLEM PROBLEMS
NEAR SETTLEMENT
Allied Agreement in Near East at Hand
Independence Of Egypt Declared ;
.,.- Certain.

ignominy to King Constantine. who
! vaingloriously boasted \ OF the re-
union Of the old empire. a dream CEN
turtles old. The Grecian and the
hsre aSs'se Seen afss igins idie H They Tney ressmb1s
mastiffs who, having struggled long
and bitterly without apparent ad-
vantage to either. lie exhausted. will
ing to spring again. though physi-
cally unable. The Turks. it is known.
tilities if it should mean restoration
, in large measure of Turkey.
The Greeks, with exchequors de-
pleted and the allies showing few
signs of willingness to aid the cause
of Constantine, who turned upon
them during the course of the great
war. also would welcome an end to
the struggle. 1t is not believed that
it will be difficult to persuade the
Greeks to withdraw in the interest
of peace settlements the world over
particularly il the allies hold out in
ducements of financial and economic
assistance. which may mean the very
life of Greece itself. Most certain
ly would Constantine be willing to
curtail his aspirations in Smyrna and
the continent if he be permitted to
perpetuate his dynasty, and. it is de-
clared on reliable authority. unless
he gains commensurate economic and
financial advantages from the allies.
withdrawal from the near eastern
adventure will mean his overthrow.
Greece will be permitted to retain
those acquired regions Of Macedonia
and sections of Thrace. The question
of Thrace, however, may bring about
some sharp clashes between the al
lies themselves and between Greece
and Bulgaria. In fact, it was report
ed at one time during the past week
that the Bulgars and Greeks were
preparing to- go to war, but this evil
IDENTIFY was untrue, for with the
allies bringing pressure to bear upon
the Bulgars in Sofia and the Greeks
in Athens. SUCH eventualities are not
in the immediate prospect.
1t is confidently believed. however:
that future years undoubtedly will
see clashes ove- the frontiers in
Macedonia and Thrace. The allies are
Immediately concerned with the pres
ent. and it is believed that If they can
gain any kind of settlement. involv-
ing withdrawal of the Greeks from
the Asiatic continent. this will ap-
peaSe the Turks and at the same time
set in motion processes destined to
general good. and Europe could settle
down and bring to pass those things
desired in the way of advancement.
Some agreement may be reached be-
fore the Genoa parley. for this IS I'M
perative If adherance to a general pa
cific policy is gained from the bolshe-
vik delegates.
y x ).
The Egyptian question demands set
tlement. and if the whole Moslem tea
pot is not set to boiling through de-,
lays on the part of the allies. par
ticularly Great Britain. it will be al
most miracle. The British, recogniz-
ing this. are preparing to push gen.
eral settlement of Moslem questions.
If the British agree to grant the in
dependence of Egypt. course con-
sidered exceedingly likely. then it is
believed Moslem resentment against
the British and allies as a whole may
be appeased in large measure. Gen.
Allenoy, who is in London. is reported
to have recommended that Egyptian
independence be granted and the Brit
protection of the Suez canal. this last
being the main point at issue in the
deliberations between the British and
Egyptians during the past two years.
Eeyptian independence would give
further proof that the British will
consider the interests of their great
Moslem populations in the fairest
possible Light. Settlement of the
Turkish question and bringing the
Turko-Greco war to an end would
further enhance the interests of Brit
ain and many of the fountainheads of
sedition directed against British con-
troll in India would be wiped out. AL
ready there are signs in India that
the British policy will be maintained
as against the on-co-operat Zionist
movement of Gandhi and his cohorts.
In view of possible good to be de
rived from agreement with France
and Italy over the general allied in
terests in the near east. the British
are certain to lose no opportunity to-
ward pressing for agreement which
will undoubtedly lay the foundation
stones for a broad new policy regard
fng Moslem populations. At least
such agreement may prevent the sit
uation getting out of hand for the
time being and permit the allies to
measure their steps in continental re-
habilitation without trying distrac-
ton.