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Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1922, Page 2

Tluk impotence of America in the world plight following the war an event, in which the United States played an important part during its dosing episodes —is further evidenced by the new position arising in the Near East, for the reason that though the then American President and his statesmen had s o much to say in the drawing up of the peace treaty, A meric-, declined to ratify the document, and is not n party to the task of imposing its terms. As a result America is not a principle now in enforcing the peace conditions, and to that very important extent has fallen short in the complete execution of a duty which she undertook when entering the war. Under the terms of peace embodied, in tbo flovres agreement subscribed to by eleven Allied Powers. Turkey in F.u. rope was reduped to frOllstfintinoplp nm\ ft dfrtl! ftiljfii’pnt' twJtofji'. Tiis Per.-

danelles, the Sea of Marmora and the Bosphorus with a strip of land on either side as neutral territory, were left in control of a. League of Nations commission wi'th very wide powers. On the other hand Greece was enlarged and unified. Sho gained tho Aegean seaboard from Bulgaria and Thrace (from Adrianople to Chatalja) from Turkey, and also a group of islands to the south west of Asia Minor passed from Turkey through Italy to Greece. In regard to the mandated country in Asia Minor Greece was permitted to establish herself and assist in the civil control for the protection of the Christians who number roughly four millions as against twelve million Moslems. Probably owing to the Powers being so directly concerned with affairs of a more domestic character in Europe, Greece was left lnrgorly to her own devices and was evidently badly advised and led. The Turks meantime must have had some very practical backing to secure the munitions of war which enabled them to drive the Greek forces, out of Asia Minor and in doing so achieved a victory calculated to influence the kindred races which.see in the Turkish success the opportunity for their own aggrandisement. There is also the effect on Bulgaria, which like Turkey, collapsed during the Great War, but which now sees possibilities of rehabilitation to some extent at least. Tbe fact there fore that America is not in unison with the other Allies to maintain the peace terms which in the war she helped to secure, is a very serious weakness in the present international difficulties,

Tut; ctursc of events in connection with tho difficulties arising out of Turkey’s recent aggression will be watched with the greatest interest. The situation is one pregnant with concern to all parts of the British Empire, for if war results the Empire at large is going to lie involved very seriously. The late war has left tire Empire seriously involved financially. Every part shouldered its burden and now has a great load to bear, while the Motherland in particular shouldered also the financial burden of other Allies, as well as supplying them with enormous quantities of munitions. Allether upheaval,’and Britain will again have to lie the principal partner in footing the hill. But that is not the worst aspect. T. e upset of trade and commerce at a time when matters were being put in train to retrieve themselves, the draining of man power and the whole disorganisation which war imposes, constitute the alarming difficulties uhe:d. Any war however short it may be, is all event of tremendous cost. Sifety first principles apply directly to tile bu.sjness of entering upon war. It cannot be done on a niggardly scale. The preparations must be comprehensive. for if is the unexpected which lias to he prepared for. At the present juncture thoughts turn naturally to the late 'Washington Conference 'and the decisions to limit defensive preparations. In a crisis such as the present whoa it is conceivable important parts of the British Empire might ho in jeopardy if the fanatics were to gain tho upper hand, Britain’s action in regard to the whole question of defence has got to ho reviewed very closely. In regard to the A\ aslongton Conference, the 1 nited States was again almost the predominant partner in urging a limitation of armaments, but face to face with the present situation it is clear Britain s far-flung Empire cannot be maintained unless the Empire i s in possession of a superior force to impose pence and tranquility. It is clear that both the League of Nations and the Washington Conference will become dead letters unless the signatories to those compacts have security behind them. The situation now prevailing in the confines of Europe and Asia, will therefore give an important turn to international events if the ponce of tie "orld is to be established by a unitv of nations on constitutional lines.