AMERICA AND THE NEAR EAST.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Knowing the fair way in which the Spectator is always willing to publish both sides of a question, may I ask you to print the enclosed letter taken from the Scotsman of Sep- tember 23rd? The cutting attached, taken from the same paper, curiously bears out the point made in the letter.—I am, Sir, Orut WHO AGREES WITH " SCOTUS."
[We are sorry we have not space to publish the letter which our contributor encloses. Briefly, its contents are as follows. " Scotus " has read an extract from a leading article in the New York Herald for September 17th, which says in part : "There is no question as to what Christians and the civilized world demand of Great Britain, France, and the other Allied Powers. It is that the Turk shall not be permitted to take himself, hie Army, his Government, and his ways back into Europe." " Scotus " remarks, however, that America does not propose to help. The United States, he says, does not hesitate to demand that the Dardanelles shall be made free, and to insist on having a full share of the profits made available by this freedom. But the United States is a "lusty brother" who demands "that we do all the dirty work and pay for it in lives and money, whilst he looks on from a distance, too proud to soil his hands, but ready to grab a share when the claim is pegged." The other cutting which our correspondent encloses follows :— "Wager/come, September 22nd.—Suggestions in Press messages received here that America would be welcomed at the forth- coming Conference regarding the Near East have brought a statement from the Administration officials that possible American participation is being given no consideration. It is emphasized that what interest America may have in the problem is confined to the necessity for free passage of American ships in the Dardanelles being assured.—Reuter."
Our correspondent and " Scotus " are taking the view of only one American newspaper editor as representative of 110,000,000 people. Moreover, they have not examined the many factors in America which go to produce such an expression of opinion. They might profitably inquire into the facts connected with America's part in relief work in the Near East. —Ea. Spectator.]
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