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Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16675, 24 February 1920, Page 2

Lord Northcliffe seems to feel it necessary to display great energy in his criticism of the action of the Supreme Council, and The Times and Daily Mail are yapping loudly in accordance with his orders. In the first paper he threatens the Government with destruction if it fails to secure the friendly co-operation of America in maintaining the peace of Europe. Mr, Lloyd George and the Allied Premiers are only too anxious to secure American assistance in the work of European reconstruction, but there is no sign that America means to do anything, at any . rate till after the Presidential election next year. President Wilson has, it is true, just shown signs of life, hut it is very doubtful whether he can be said to represent American opinion, while no one is anxious to assist Senator Lodge to make a new Peace Treaty in order to spite:,the President. The Times’ anathemas are easy to produce, but it would be more to the point if it explained how to arouse America to action. Lord Northcliffe had also decided that the Turks are to leave Constantinople and he is wildly indignant that the Supreme Council has decided otherwise. No one desires the Turks to retain Constantinople, hut advisers acquainted with the views of the Moslem races state that much unrest is being caused by the fear that the Sultan, who is Caliph, or religious leader, of more than half of the followers of Mahomet, may be removed from Constantinople. It America would take charge of Constantinople a satisfactory solution might he possible, but she will not do so and the Supreme Council has therefore played for safety. The Times, here also, suggests no better scheme than that proposed. The most annoying part of the articles is the attempt to use the supposed views of the Dominions as arguments. The British Government is told that the Dominions will bitterly resent any failure to keep on the best of terms with America and that the Australians will be wrath if the Turks are not driven out of Europe. So far as New Zealand is concerned these statements are without foundation. People are tired of • the American discussions about the treaty and would probably express their opinion in undiplomatic language if asked to do so, while it would be absurd to connect the Gallipoli campaign with tho taking of a decision now as to whether a Moslem Caliph should continue to reside in Constantinople.