New-York tribune., 1922-10-08

WA
MI regarding the crisis in tn,
! n Near East show a surpris
r., confusion Of mind. Apparently
.ao,,anas of Americans had not
~..,;,ea that the Allies had already
,srsed in principle to the restoration
= rons.antinople to the Turks and to
~. recognition of Turkish rule in Asia
w,,or The status Of Thrace was not
Ii. al clear; but there were signs
81, unless Kemal's forces plunged
;nto b.ssy conflict with the British a
ms, a, to Thrsse was not likely.
ro s,k that the United States should
,...,rene with naval and military
s,nees to prevent the return of the
To,k to power was to propose that
smer;ea should take a stand against
.ss solu.ion which was being worked
on. bv the Allies as we'll as g stand
.eosns, the triumphant and fanatical
army Of .Eemal Pasha 5000 miles away
Undoubtedly there are powerful rea-
saps both for American disgust and
righteous anger at developments in
the Nes- East and for continued con-
eern ss TO the future Of our interests
in Turkey. The main issue to-day
however, is not as to blame for the
past II is vain to try to turn back
the hands Of the clock. Instead, we
have the urgent problems of relief for
present distress, Of practicable as
sistance to prevent further trouble,
and Of emphatic, efficient protection Of
American rights and interests in
Turkey, These are large and varied
and they are seriously menaced by the
tragic events of the past few years
and by the possibilities of the i'm
mediate future.
The Turkish Empire has been a
special field of American interest for a
long time. At least one-tenth of the
total population of the United States
has contributed to American philan-
thropic or missionary work in the
Near East. The present crisis in
Turkish affairs is, therefore, Of direct
interest to men and women in every
walk Of life and practically every COM
munity.
Near East Relief Our
Greatest Private Charity
II we except the Red Cross as being
/ national society the Near East Relief
9 our greatest nationwide organized
private charity Back of the expendi-
ure or the investment by American
medical and missionary
societies of over s1oo,O0o,oo0 for the
moral welfare Of the peoples Of the
former Turkish Empire there Is a
century, Of American effort and pro-
ress. Small wonder that millions of
americans are deeply concerned to-day
q the great living tragedy that is
till unfinished in-Turkey.
The development of our commercial
interests is more recent, but the possi-
'ilities of the future are shown by the
apid way in which American trade
With Turkey expanded Immediately
'fter the armistice. Our exports to
turkey in 1918 figured at only s2,o00,-
100, but in 1920 they jumped to s42,-
100000. During the last three years
'ur total trade with Turkey amounted
% s62,o0o,00o in 1919, to $S1 100000 In
1920 and in 1921 to $Ss,5oo,ooo. For
this later decline worldwide conditions
OF trade, renewal Of disorder in the
East and the unfavorable condition of
turkish exchange were largely respon-
sibie. Nevertheless, in 1921 imports
ht Constantinople from America were
almost the same percentage of the to-
tai as were British imports. France
and Italy have the advantage both of
geographical location and of tradi-
sional knowledge as to conditions of
leVantine commerce. Nevertheless. in
asn American shipments to CONSTANT.
aopie averaged very close to French
ana Italian shipments. We have. there
'ofe, made substantial advance IN the
se'stlVe and actual Importance Of our
afkish trade. The possibilities Of the
'u'ure are dependent chiefly on the
Of peace and the protection
aHa support Of our economic concerns.
'hoer such circum stances the basis of
american interest in Turkish affairs is
'road and deep.
IL is doubtful, however, If we yet ap-
'reciate the moral shock which has af .
eeted American opinion as the result
L the events of the last month. A
lumber Of observers foresaw the course
I AFFAIRS. There were plenty OF warn
ass' but no real preventive policy de-
eioped. The result is an enforced and
'ssty study Of the situation and ap-
eais that the United States should at
cast exert an effective influence to Sc
eie Just settlement in the Near East
men VIII make for peace and stabil-
y. iAls is an extremely difficult re-
: a'' 70 achieve. The complications of
80 situation are numerous and they
.e undoubtedly realized to the full by
-e authorities at Washington. The
:, sDlehs which crowd about the Turk
empire are ancient and entangled
- peculiarly difficult for Americans
lace the perplexities of our irterna-
I,n- relations. To do so by the me-
.1am OF the Eastern oues+;on .1ds 4o