New-York tribune., 1922-08-03
Says ConstantinopIa
Is Not Greek Objective

Notwithstanding the demonstration
of Greek troops in Thrace, Greece has
no designs on Constantinople and her
show of force is merely serving of
notice on the Allies that she intends
to retain eastern Thrace in accordance
with the provisions of the Treaty of
Sevres ceding that territory to Greece
This Interpretation of Thracian de-
velopments was given to The Tribune
yesterday by Edward Capps, former
United States Minister to Greece, in
response to request for his comment
on the situation. His statement, which
was telegraphed from Portland, Me-,
was as follows:
"The rumors that Greece has de-
signs upon Constantinople can, in my
opinion, have no foundation in fact.
Though Constantinople would be bet
ter off under the rule of the Greeks,
who are the preponderant element in
it's population, than under either Turk
ish sovereignty, as lately proposed by
the three Western powers. or the pres
ent international control, l cannot con-
ceive that any party in Greece is so
foolhardy as to advocate, much less
attempt, the use Of force to obtain it.
Greece Will Not Evacuate
"The concentration of Greek troops in
Thrace is more likely a demonstration
to the powers that Greece will not
evacuate eastern Thrace in favor Of
Turkey, as the powers lately proposed,
this territory having been ceded to
Greece by the unanimous vote of the
Entente powers in the Treaty of Sevres
"This proposal bore insincerity on
the face of it. The Smyrna district,
Constantinople and eastern Thrace
were to be handed back to Turkey.
Bulgaria and Turkey were again to
have a common frontier. Greece was
to withdraw to an imaginary--not a
strategic--line extending from the Dar-
danelles to Adrianople, which was to
vite renewed rivalries for it's possess
sion. The new line was indefensibe,
and Greece, under combined attack
by Turkey and Bulgaria, would have
had to retire to eastern Macedonia or
beyond. yyo,
surdity or else malicious challenge to
Turkey and Bulgaria to unite again
and help themselves.
Greek Proclamation Is Wise
"The proclamation by Governor
General Sterghades of the independ-
ence of the Smyrna district under the
protectorate of Greece is, in the cir
cumstances, wise and statesmanlike
action. This will give to the popula-
tion status consistent with the de-
cision of the Entente Allies as ex-
pressed in the Treaty of Sevres, and
will at the same time relieve Greece
Of burden which she cannot longer
bear alone.
'For it must be remembered that
the Greek army is in Smyrna at the
request of the Allies to enforce the
terms of the armistice But for the
dissension and rivalries among the AL
lies Greece would long ago have paci-
fed the outlaw, Kemal Pasha.
"As it is, .Sterghiades has estab-
lished law and order and justice
throughout western Asia Minor.
Greece has proved her. right to be in
Smyrna, where the Allies placed her
armies three years ago.
"If the Allies should attempt by
force of arms to nullify the action
which has now been taken and should
insist upon giving Smyrna back to the
Turks, who have Systematically devas-
tated every other section of Asia
Minor and have murdered the Chris
tian populations by the hundreds of
thousands, it would be an outrage
upon civilization"