The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1922-10-03
THIS NATION WILL
STAY OUT OF WARS
Appeals of Silly Sentimentalists Will
Not Be Entertained By Those
Who Are in Charge of the
Affairs of Country
WASHINGTON

4
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2.-The
American people will be gratified
by the official announcement from
the White House that the United
States has no intention of partici-
pating in any of the political de-
velopments in the near east, and
that under no circumstances will
American forces aid in the defense
of the Dardanelles. The fact that
President Harding has found it
necessary to reiterate the inde-
pendence of the United States from
European entanglements shows that
influential forces are still at work
to involve America in old world af-
fairs. Every new disturbance abroad
is the signal for fresh outbursts on
their part, necessitating renewed
declarations from the Republican
government at Washington.
No situation that has presented
itself in the old world since the
armistice is less worthy of American
interference than the defeat of the
Greeks and the threat of the Turks
to regain their old capital. If this
country had taken a hand in old
world settlements, there might be
some foundation for the present
urge that we aid in restoring order
in Asia Minor If America were
responsible for present conditions
there, it might be said with justice
that the United States should take
hand in bringing about a settle
ment.
But that fact is that what we
find in the near east today is
simply the result of traditional
European diplomacy seen at its
worst. In their progressive in
vasion of Turkish territory the
Greeks have had the tacit support
of Great Britain, while the opposi-
tion of Turkey to the Greek in
roads has had similar support from
France. Various arrangements have
been attempted to satisfy both the
British and French. There was
created the neutral "Zone of the
Straits" throwing the Turks back
into Asia with the loss of their
capital, Constantinople, which they
had held for about 470 years.
Thrace was turned over to Greece
with its capital city, Adrianople,
which the Turks had occupied prac-
tically continuously for $50 years.
Greece was encouraged to occupy a
large portion of Asia Minor, still
further driving back the Turks with
the loss of another of their tradi-
tional cities, Smyra, which they had
held for about 500 years.
The merits of the diplomacy by
which Greece, with the approval of
Great Britain, extended and in
creased her pressure against the
Turks, and Turkey, with the ap-
proval of France, increased her re-
sistance to the Greeks, is not for
the United States to determine.
1t is none of our business, but every
intelligent observer in this country
knew that an explosion in the near
east was bound to come if such
tactics were adhered to. Probably
the leading expert on near east
affairs is Gen. Townsend who led
the British EXPEDITION up the Tigris
in the war and was captured by the
Turks at Kut-el-Amara. He says it
is foolhardy to hold Constantinople,
that it should be returned to the
Turks at once and all other Turkish
terms of peace accepted.
As regards the near east, Europe
has made its bed and now can lie
in it. Were the United States to
inject itself into the mess it would
mean not only the expenditure of
much money and probably many
lives, but it would incur also the
certain enmity of either Great
Britain or France, not to mention
Greece and Turkey, depending upon
which side the Americans espoused.
We are at peace with the world
just now, and every intelligent
American wants to remain so. For
tunately we have President and
Secretary of State at Washington
who keep their heads level at such
times. Their acts are guided by a
concern for American welfare rather
than inspired by the emotional ap-
meals of intnrr, az ION Let