The Washington times., 1922-09-19
b0LSHEV|k
Pc R|L is
Imminent
German Alliance With Moham-
medans in 'HoIy War" Also
Dangerous Possibility.
By OSCAR s. STRAUS,
Former Minister and Later United States
Ambassador 10 Turkey.

Former Minister and Later United States
Ambassador 70 Turkey.
copyright, 1922. by Cosmopolitan News
serviceD
NEW YORK, Sept. 19.-As l
see the present alarming situa-
ton in the Near East, it is hnt
a recrudescence of the historical
Near Eastern question in a most
dangerous form. That tinder box
has again flared up, end there is
very great danger-indeed, a
probability-of the new and dis
eontented Balkan states being
drawn into the affair.
Bolsheviki Feared.
There is every probability Of the
lire spreading. with bolshevik Rus.
sia. now allied, or nearly so, with
kemal Pasha. With Great Britain,
France, and Italy divided the
chances of q conflagration are in
creased. with a likelihood OF Ger
many, Austria, Czechoslovakta, and
Jugoslavia being drawn into II.
The greatest danger and probabil-
lty Is that Germany, Austria, and
Russia will make common cause
with the Turks, as they are in close
relationship. and in possible alli-
anoe. By. this union. believe Ger
man militarists and monarchists
will. from their point of view, de-
eide they have everything to gaian
and nothing to lose. Russia today
has an army Of 1000 900, some say
100000, and this. under German
military leaders, will not lack
effectiveness.
"A country, no matter what her
monetary condition may be, can al.
ways muster more or less military
power, especially as the new states
formed since the world war. are
seething with dissatisfaction and op-
position to the teraty of Versailles.
1t Ia true, to an extent, that II takes
money to make war, but Turkey has
proved during the last 100 years that
war can be made without very much
money being available. OF course,
the advantage Is always on the side
OF the solvent nation, but all nations
of Europe are economic sufferers
now, differing only in degrees.
There are only two means open,
In my judgment, OF averting a war
the immensity and horrors of which
can only be guessed at.
First, and foremost, Is an agree
nnent of policy on the part Of the al
lied powers.
The second is the immediate recall
by Greece and return to power OF
Venizelos, one OF the greatest states
men of the times.
Unless both OF these conditions are
brought about promptly-well. I
would dislike to be a prophet OF evil
by saying what / believe is likely to
happen.
II such action Is taken without de-
lay the present conflagration may
be checked, but II not, the dangers
that threaten are so serious that an
other European war may follow.
The bleeding and war-sick world has
already been suffering for some time
from internal disturbances which
have arisen within many Of the ma
tions.
The only remedy short Of war, the
extent Of which will not attempt to
define, is what l have stated, for
with Greence under safe control,
think war might be averted.
There will have to be either dras-
tic intervention, withan immediate
penalty, by the Allies, backed by
force, or an agreement reached be-
tween the various nations involved.
believe that Russia 8 attitude Is
much more than a gesture. II she
enters this thing, and Is successful.
II will give bolshevism a prestige in
the still further disorganized world,
the results of which no one can fore
see. It has dreadful forebodings.
I do not regard 1t as probable that
the United States will be a serious
economic sufferer, 1t goes without
saying. but she may possibly. for
reasons of enlightened self interest,
find herself under the necessity of
advancing additional sums to Euro
pean countries.
AS to the possibility of Mohamme-
dams in Turkey and elsewhere unit
ing in a holy war. that, of course, Is
all in the realm of probability.
Allies Must Agree.
do not believe the allies will re-
cede from their present position of
neutralizing the Dardanelles and of
internationalizing Constantinop!e. I
think they should come to an agree
ment as to the Far East, whatever
that may be. that would bring peace
without serious conflict.
Disagreement on these questions
spells chaos, and possible recrudes-
eence Of the world war, with the
consequences more serious than be-
fore, II that were possible.
The conflict then was between
militarism and constitutionalism. II
between constitutionalism and bolshs-
ylsm.
Let the world consider well what