NEW NATIONALISM

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 6, 6 July 1935, Page 27

NEW NATIONALISM

THE GOAL OF TURKEY

The fourth general congress of the Republican People's Party has terminated in Angora. In a court try like Turkey, where the single-party system prevails, the congress is a notable event, 'furnishing occasion for a review of the country's political activity of the preceding four years and giving an idea of future policy, writes J. W. Kernick in the "New York Times." This last- congress was more than usually interesting, "inasmuch as the party's policy has been more precisely set out than hitherto. The new Turkey's leaders are not theorists and their achievements over the past fifteen years have been the direct outcome of a realistic conception of the country's needs. Vast reforms were carried out to cure the evils that had caused the country's past decadence. Now it is on practice, not theory, that they are founding a doctrine that is unlikelVthose of European countries in which new forms of government have been evolved since' the war. Yet it possesses certain characteristics of each. In common with all these, the interests of the community are higher than, individuals, and personal freedom of thought and speech are respected only in so far as. they do not clash With the general good. - The Republican People's Party is democratic -but anti-liberaj; social differences are abolished and all are equal, regardless of spx, and possess equal rights. Equality of rights does not mean liberty to create, for instance, Dolitiral orsanisations that might lead to strife. Indeed, it is understood, if not expressly staiod i'->»t nrv other political party will be tolerated. One resolution passed by the congress was that all the-country's resources, human and material, without exception, shall be used in its dpfence. This is interpreted as indicating that women will also be liable to conscription, but it. should be taken as an expression of a principle, for no immediate calling of women to the colours is anticipated. In the new Turkey, religion is to be, regarded as a private concern. Thei State will not interfere except to see religious prejudice is not used as a pretext for reactionary propaganda endangering its safety. In economic auestions the Republican People's Party leans definitely towards State ownership or control. All great enterprises and* public utility service (railroads, air, and sea communications, ports, etc.) should belong to the State. it holds, as should great industries that may have, a bearing on national defence. Private enterprise, where per-' mitted,' it is proposed, shall be ultimate-1 ly under the control of the State, which may purchase an individual's in-, terest at any time should it be deemed desirable.