The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1923-01-30
STAGE SET
FOR A POSSIBLE WAR
ON VERGE OF CONFLICT POM
CARES MINISTRY BESET BY
ENEMIES ON EVERY SIDE.
FRANCE IN GREAT DIFFICULTY
Occupation of RuE1r May Bring About
Hostilities. Trouble Is Brewing
Again in the Balkans, While Near
East Presents Problem.


East Presents Problem.
A vast powder key, with any of
dozen sparks now flying liable to set
off great confagration, is an accu-
rate description of Europe and the
Near East today. While the world is
crying Tor peace virtually all of the
countries in Europe and the Near East
comprise great stage set for war,
with the prologue already in progress.
There are said to be nearly 100000
men under arms, ready to spring at
each Others throats when the COM
mand is given.
A gigantic allied fleet, chiefly Brit
ish, containing so men-of-war and
auxiliary naval craft, is in Turkish
waters, ready for hostilities. Italy and
France are strengthening their armies
and navies France has invaded the
Ruhr district of Germany to force
Preparations payments. American troops
have been called from the Rhine, to
avoid possible entanglements.
Conferences Fail.
Allied solidarity has been shaken to
the breaking point by the collapse of
the Preparations conference in Paris.
The Near East peace conference vir-
tually is in deadlock at Lausanne,
Switzerland. Russia, it is believed,
would support Turkey in the event of
an open warfare, and probably would
rush to the aid of the Germans should
the latter take up arms because of the
French invasion.
Europe admittedly is in far more
chaotic condition than just before the
world war, with all nations distrustful,
armed and waiting. The Balkans,
where the world war conflict began,
again comes to the front with clashes
between Hungarian irregulars and Ru-
manian troops. Serious clashes be-
tween the Lithunians and French are
reported from Memel, on the frozen
Baltic sea, and the. allies have sent
British cruisers and 5000 reinforce
|ments. commanded by French officers,
TO the scene
France, beset on all sides by ene-
mics, still holds the position of hav-
ing the most powerful military force
in the world today She has 1877 900
luCtl ullQCl arms WIN al Liz
latest weapons of modern warfare Her
movements in Germany require the
presence of large numbers of troops,
$4,000 men being used in her occupa-
ton of Bochum alone. This invasion
has been denounced by soviet Russia
while many demonstrations have been
held throughout Germany.
Russia Is Modelling.
Russia, with 100000 men under
arms, is a potential force, so far as
man power goes, but her army is poor
~ equipped. Russia asserts that the
French occupation of the Ruhr means
war The Lettish press expresses
belief that Russia is supporting Lii
thuania in order to aggravate France
and Poland. German troops to the
number of $4,000 are said to be mass
ing at Luenen.
The German coal commission has
prohibited coal owners of the Ruhr
from supplying coal or coke to France
or Belgium even if payment is made
for the fuel This adds to the French
difficulties and brings the danger of
conflict that much nearer. German
communists are distributing leaflets
demanding war with France and the
resignation OF chancellor Juno, OF
Germany. France has answered by in
creasing the area Of occupied terri
tory and making military penalties
more severe and extensive
Trouble in Near East
Much interest centers on the Near
East, where Mustapha Renal Pasha,
the Turkish leader, is working with
might and main to re-enforce his
Turkish army. All of Turkey is filed
with troops and the Turkish straits
Dardanelles, Sea of Marmora and the
Bosporus-are jammed with war;
ships. There is a great British fort at
Chanak, on the Dardanelles narrows,
rivaling. Gibraltar in strength
British, Italian and French infantry
hold Constantinople and zone from
the Black sea to the Aegean. A Greek
army holds western Thrace, while the
Turks are in Asia Minor and eastern
Thrace.
Apparently the makings Of con-
hict that would rival the world war
are grouped around the danger spots
of Europe. All that is necessary is the
spark to the powder key.