MOSUL FRONTIER

Evening Star, Issue 19024, 20 August 1925, Page 5

MOSUL FRONTIER

TURKEY AND THE LEAGUE* Frew Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, August 18. Tho Constantinople correspondent of the ‘Daily Telegraph’ says that the Turkish delegation to tho League of Nations will demand the unconditional return of Mosul as the only solution of tho problem.—A. and N.Z. Cable. [ The report by tho Neutral Commission appointed by the League of Nations to inquire into the Mosul frontier, which was issued recently, recommends tho union of tho whole territory of Iraq ,subject to its remaining under; tho control of tho League lor twentyfive vears. If tho League’s control is not maintained it would bo advantageous for the territory to remain under the sovereignty of Turkey, whose internal and external conditions arc incomparably more stable than those of Iraq. In the event of tho ■ League Council deciding to split up the territory, tho Commission recommends a frontier approximately following the line of the Lessor Zab, which leaves Mosul itself within Turkish territory. The final decision rests with the League. The report was the subject of a good deal of adverse criticism in London.] DIFFICULTIES TO BE FACED. Although it may bo hoped that tho Frontier Commission will see the necessity for allocating tho whole of the Assyrian country to Iraq (stated tho London ‘Times’ recently), tho difficulties will not, even after a favorable decision, bo finally overcome. The ‘ Watan ’ ’in January summarised tho Turkish official position as follows; “Britain protends that tho occupation of Mosul is a guarantee for tho security of Bagdad. But Bagdad will never have security so long as Mosul remains outside Turkey, and there will bo endless trouble. On tho other hand, if Turkey recovers Mosul a complete guarantee will be constituted. , . .” The value of such guarantees has been fully demonstrated of late. _ But the second sentence in the quotation is of great significance, since it shows the student of Turkish psychology that Turkey, if all or the greater part of the Mosul vilayet bo not returned to her, intends to redouble her present quasi-hostile activities on the Iraq frontier, hoping thereby gradually to wear down British resistance. Such a policy can bo countered only by consolidation of tho Assyrian tribes in their own country and their support by a proportion of the levies recruited from their own race, without which they cannot be expected to resist effectively Turkish onslaughts.

Tho Assyrians aro prepared to accept Iraq nationality provided that that State remains friendly to Great Britain; and the whole-heartcdness with which they have served ns, during and since tho war, precludes the possibility ot their effecting a reconciliation with the Turks. They seek only_ tho right to exist with a fair chance of fending for themselves, true to their British allies and constant to their ancient faith.