TURKEY KEEPS HER COURSE

Evening Star, Issue 23174, 25 January 1939, Page 7

TURKEY KEEPS HER COURSE

CHOICE OF INONU r..VTIF!ESx ATATURK’S POLICIES Stirring events have been taking place place in Turkey—that crossroads between Europe and Asia -which seems hound to play a strategic part in the economic and political future of two continents, writes Moore Gates in the 1 New York Times.’ Ail classes of the people joined together recently in celebrating the fifteenth anniversary of Kemalist Turkey, an anniversary marking the great progress of the country since Kemal Ataturk (born Mustafa Kemal) took control. And Kemal himself, who rose from soldier under an empire to President of the Turkish Republic, shared the rejoicing from his sick-bed and then, after the celebration, died. His place has been taken by Isrnet Inonu, a man less tempestuous in nature, who helped him from the start to establish the new, strong Turkey. This Turkey, which Ismet Inonu hopes to lead to even greater importance, is far different from that emaciated Turkey which Kemal Ataturk took over in 1023. No man in the country has gone unaffected by the changes wrought during these hist 15 years. The story of Turkey since 1923 is an epic. Kemal Ataturk and Ismet Inonu with other devoted men, withdrew to

Ankara, the present capital, and set about the task of changing the fundamental education,- tradition and thinking of the Turkish people. There were -to be no half-way measures. Industrialisation and development of the rich resources of Asia Minor were viewed as a necessity of self-defence. There were to be no more foreign concessions— Turkey was to be developed by its own people. By one stroke after another the old structure was ruthlessly pulled down. The world heard of the abolition of the Sultanate; abolition of the Caliphate; creation of a republic; complete separation of Church and State, including the suppression of ecclesiastical schools, religious orders or Dervishes, ecclesiastical tribunals, and abolition of tithes; abolition of the fez and the veil on women ; adoption of the international calendar and hour; new civil (Swiss), penal (Italian), and commercial (German) codes of law, adoption of Latin numerals and Latin characters for the Turkish language; woman’s suffrage: abolition of titles; and the adoption of Sunday instead of the traditional Friday as the weekly holiday. To work these reforms called for complete re-eduoation of the people, and so for Kemal education became a main objective. Primary, secondary, normal and technical schools have grown faster than able teachers could be trained. EDUCATING A NATION. To-day about half the period of military training is given to education along all lines, especially technical and trade. The army helps to spread education and hygiene to the villages. Cleanliness is everywhere increasingly a

factor. The battle against trachoma and venereal diseases is being waged relentlessly, and with growing success. Children learn reading, writing, and arithmetic about two years earlier with the Latin characters and numerals. The use of typewriters and office machinery is possible, and is becoming general. Printing is facilitated, and the ordinary mechanical tools. of our age become more easily adapted to Turkey. The whole nation is handled like a school or an industry, with the effort to make every phase of life fit into an integrated unified national concept. HOLDS NEAR EAST " BALANCE.” Industrially there is extensive planning. The first five-year plan is on the whole well completed. The second is under way, with increasing momentum. The pace is accelerated, first _by the £16.000,000 credits arranged in London last spring; and second, by credits recently negotiated with Germany. Today there is no question of foreign concessions, or pledged revenues to guarantee repayment Turkey’s credit is good. Sound currency on a gold basis, a well-run banking system, factories spreading out over Asia Minor, railways connecting natural resources with factories and ports—they help to give Kemalist Turkey an excellent foundation for creating the vital economic and industrial background for political independence. Her strong, mechanically well-equipped army and her fleet of modern aeroplanes, together with the munition plants located in the depths of Anatolia, are all part of the plan to preserve a really independent Turkey. To-day the Turkish Republic holds the “ balance of power ” in the Near East.

Friendly with all nations, from Russia to the United States, she is subservient to none. FITTING SUCCESSOR TO ATATURK. in Turkey it is regarded as fitting that the man who worked in closest collabroation with Kemal Ataturk to bring about these changes should be unanimously elected by the Grand National Assembly to carry on after Ataturk’s death. Fifty-four years old, a tremendous worker, Ismet Inonu was for 12 years Prime Minister. In personal life President Inonu is as strict as Ataturk was unbridled. In energy and determination he is a worthy successor. His election is the best possible indication of Turkish determination to continue along the path Kemal blazed. At home President Inonu will push industrialisation behind the flexible protective tariff wall that is an essential part of the policy of balancing exports and imports with each country, so as to maintain Turkey’s hard-won financial independence Socially, he will further develop the education of his people Since he is first of all a military man, one can expect the army, air force, navy, and merchant marine to grow steadily NEW PRESIDENT’S GOAL. In foreign policy President Inonu will undoubtedly endeavour to maintain friendly relations with all while avoiding entangling alliances with any of the great Powers. The Balkan Pact is a cornerstone of this policy. Turkey’s friendly relations with Greece, Rumania, Yugoslavia, and Bulgaria (not officially a member of the Balkan alliance) are increasingly implemented with practical trade agreements which

draw these people together in common interests Constructive, peaceful; development of its own country and people is the goal of the Government today-