Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-10-05
FIXING UP THE NEAR EAST.

any 1alrly Drignt young person could take an
atlas, a set of statistical tables, and a pencil and
paper and in the course of a few hours could
evolve a scheme for, Turkey, Greece, and several
Of the adjacent states which would be simple,
logical and perfectly satisfactory-to the person
preparing the plan.
was made to apply the scheme. 1t wouldn't come
within a thousand miles of fitting. Most of us have
at one time or another formed and expressed
opinions as to what should be done in the Near
East. There has been plenty of opportunity for
this exercise, for there have been things doing in
the Near East for longer than any of US can recol-
lect, and most of the occurrences there have been
accompanied by undesirable features.
Most of us are agreed as to the desirability of
keeping Turkey out of Europe. Not infrequently
we ran across the notion that Turkey ought to be
obliterated, exterminated, root and branch. Usually
we let it go at that.
It happens that the problem contains both
variables and unknown quantities, and is in no
sense such a simple equation as is represented by
the statement that two plus two equals four. We
are apt to regard the whole eastern dispute as a
contest between Moslem and Christian, and with
the problem SO simple stated our sympathies are
naturally with the Christian. But we have as a
complicating circumstance that different groups Of
the Christians, affected by the dispute hate each
other with a deep and abiding hatred. The Greek
has no love for the Serb, nor either for the Bull
garian. Rumania has ambitions of her own which
run counter to the aspirations of several of her
neighborS. Each OF these nations is awaiting a IA
vorablc opportunity to commit assault and battery
on its %neighbor. All Of them hate the Turk, but
probably any one Of them would be willing to make
common cause with the Turk against one of its
Christian neighbors if that could be done with
safety to itself.
ss Those facts relate to, the local situation. in the
larger field we have the rivalry Of the great powers,
and the interest which each has in maintaining the
status quo, Or in disturbing il. French and Brit:
lslh interests clash. Those interests are not all sell
S4slh, and NOT all philanthropic. They, are mixed.
French sentiment demands the maintenance of
ssaFrench prestige in Syria. Not only are French
coh1f1ercial interests involved, But there is involved
Standing 81 France g 2 world power, and the
baHty 81 France to maintain her place in the
E6fsinnilyn Of nations, and to defend herself against
{Rey7zessions from central Europe. the possibility Of
3 xG6kiieeh she cannot ignore.
Bhtfains lives through the maintenance Of her
routes Without them she would starye in a
mH11nfhs SIZE must receive food ard raw material,
Slsnss1abfnosld ~ exchange for Her own coal. her
a1HS19l6nkacfuye products, and her conlmercial scrv-
sSl9kMn must Keep Tie sea lanes open. For her
I5xf6t1nasnif fahaaM so pe ca,sed would BE suicidal She
1tlSeS2A10N III nces ~ having important avenues Of
S2Safe 8f13xOnnsu,icstion falling into the control 81
y S61669SN0Mhichh might become i5nffiendly. She $is
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