The Washington times., 1922-09-16

what they could do.
Only about fifty native Americans
are known to be in the war.ridden
zone, according to information OBJ
tainsd by the State apartment. al
though there are great numbers Of
naturalized Americans there. mostly
Greeks who returned to their native
land after becoming American citi-
zens.
Some hours may be required for
Admiral Bristol, American high
commissioner. and his allied col,
leagues to work out a practicable
plan for international cooperation,
but additional dispatches bearing
expected momentarily.
Amy plan submitted by Admiral
Bristol, II was emphasized. must he
limited strictly to relief work. The
United States will take no part in
the political embroglio which
threatens to involve practically all OF
the other great powers.
In the absence Of definite informs.
ton. the department made no state
ment as to responsibility for the
burning Of Smyrna and could not
confirm (reports Of widespread
massacre and pillage.
Chief responsibility for relieving
the situation, officials here declared,
rests with the allies. Not only have
they troops, equipment and warships
on the ground, but they also have
been taking an active part In events
leading up to the capture Of Smyrna,
from which this Government has
consistently stood aIoof.
Britain Aided Greeks.
The developments in Asia Minor.
reliable information received here in.
dicates. are but a phase Of the secret
intrigues which have been going OH
in Europe virtually since the close
Of the world war. Involved in these
are such far.reaching questions as
German reparations, dominant
French or British influence in the
Near East, and control Of the Dar.
danelles.
The consistent support of Turkey
by France, and of Greece by Great
Britain, results, 1t is believed here,
from the long-standing controversy
between the French and British over
the question Of German reparations
and French military dominance ir
Europe. To what lengths London
and Paris are willing to go remains
to be seen.
The gesture of the Greeks toward
Constantinople. which precipitated
the present crisis, Is believed to have
been with at least the tacit consent
of Great Britain. The decision Of
Premier Poincare to withdraw
French troops to the European side
Of the Straits is interpreted as mean
ing France would not oppose an ad'
vance by the Turks upon CONSTANT
nople.
reason to believe, would not OBJ
stinately oppose occupation Of
Constantinople by the Turks pro-
vided Gallipoli and the Oar.
danelles remained under allied
control. Such control. consider
ing the strength Of the British
fleet, means British control, and a
Turkish Constantinople. while Of.
fering at least a partial barrier
against Russia, would aways be at
the mercy Of the British fleet. AS
such an arrangement would not be
greatly to the disadvantage Of
France, It is believed the French
would favor II. especially II some
concessions were made by Great
Britain in the matter of reparation
from Germany.
This plan would doubtless prove
satisfactory to Soviet Russia, tenn
porarily at least, as the Bolshevists
would prefer their comparatively
weak Turkish allies in the former
Turkish capital to the British. Ru.
mania, too, would prefer to have the
Turks between her and Russia, pro.
vided a suitable entente were made.
| However Great Britain's policy
toward Constantinople may work
out, IT, is believed certain she will
not surrender her hold on Gallipoli
and the Dardanelles without a bit
ter struggle. From some points OF
view. control Of those narrow
straits was the greatest benefit
Great Britain derived from the
world war and her eagerness to
beat Russia to the prize was shown
by her haste in dispatching the I'll.
fated Gallipoli expedition. Their
control means not only check
upon a restored Russia, but also
is a guarantee Of the route 10 India
and barrier against any future