PRINCE OF ANGLERS

Gisborne Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9575, 28 July 1923, Page 5

PRINCE OF ANGLERS

TURK LANDS HIS FISH. ALLIES. NOAV HELPLESS AND GASPING. LLOYD GEORGE’S VIEW OF ISAIET’S DIPLOAIACY. CDniteti Press Association—Copyright.) (Copyright.) (Received July'27, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 25. Air Lloyd . Georgo says the Turk may be a bad ruler, but he is tho prince of anglers. The cunning and patience wherewith he lands tlie most refractory fish, once he is hooked, is beyond compare. What inimitablo play wo have witnessed for six months on the shores of Lake Leman. Once the fish seemed to have broken the tackle; that was when the first conference abruptly ended. It simply meant, however, that tlie wily Oriental was giving oilt plenty of line. Ho knew the moment would come when they would return with the hook well in their gullets and the play, would: begin once more, reeling in and reeling out, the line sometimes taut and strained, but never snapping. Time and patience have rewarded him at last. The- huge tarpon are .all beached on the banks. Britain, France, Italy and the United States are ..gl) and dry, landed and helpless, without a swish left in their tails, glistening and gasping in the summer sun. It is little wonder that Ismct had a smile on his face when ail was over. Reports from Angora state that peace was hailed there as a great Turkish triumph, and so it is. ff the, Turk could govern as well as he angles his would he the most formidable Empire in tlie world. Unfortunately he is the worst of rulers, lienee the troubles of his own and of those who have unhappily drawn him as governor in the lottery of life. The experiences, more especially of the past century, had demonstrated clearly that the Turk could no longer he entrusted with tho property, honor or lives of any Christian race within 1 1 is dominions, so a. series of agreements was entered into in the early months of 1915 between France, Russia and ourselves whereby Turkey with its conglomerate population was to lie partitioned at tlie end of the war. When Italy came into the war a portion was assigned to her. 'The Treaty of Sevres considerably modified 'Hat policy in mam- vital aspects. Many objections could he raised to the 1915 proposals, as, for instance, the contemplated handing over in Cilicia aim Southern Anatolia of populations wide!), in the mam, wore Turkish and Aloslem, to Christian rulers, but in substance the modified plan of Sevres was sound, ami if it were carried out would have conduced to the well-being of millions to l:e liberated for ever from Turkish rule. The world at large would also have, benefited by the opportunity afforded the industrious and intelligent .Armenian and ((reek populations of Turkey to renew the fertility of this land once so bountiful in its gifts, thus enriching man’s store of good things. The barbarian invasion which withered that fertility was pushed back into the interior by the Treaty of SovrOs. The Treaty of Lausanne has extended and perpetuated its sway from the Black Sea to tim AL-d iterranean.

FATE IN ITS GRI.UAIEST AIOOD AT LAUSANNE. The story of Lausanne is a compound of shortsightedness, disloyalty, selfishness and pusillanimity among nations and their statesmen. Afore than all, fate happened to he in its grimmest mood when dealing with this problem. The Russian revolution eliminiated that great country from the solution of flic problem on the lines of protection for the oppressed races ol Turkey, and east its might on the side of tiro oppressor. President AYilson was inclined to recommend that the United Slates should undertake a mandate lor the Armenians. Had he succeeded what

a. different story many years to come would tell. His health broke down, and America would have none of his humanitarian schemes. Then came Baron Sonnino’s departure from the Qiiirine.l. His successors acre homelier men. 1 have still doubts whether they served Italy best by pursuing a. less adventurous and more domesticated policy. Mho luture may decide that issue,’ but whatever the decision, ihe time for action has passed a.way, and unless ami until th -re is another break up m lurkey, the chance Italy lust since 1919 will not be recovered. Then there was the French cheek in Cilicia, and negotiations at Angora with Alustaplia. which wcic both songlehanded and underhanded. The Allies were not eveu informed ui what was going on. ’lins fatal stop broke the tin it v which alone enabled Ihe ’western Powers to deal effectively v. .t!i the Turk.

\ AiOXKEY’S BITE MAKES HISTORY.

The* Inst fatal change was the Greek revolt against \ eiii/.olos. It is often said tliat lie is the greatest statesman thrown up hv liis race since Porfi:ies. In all lie has undertaken he has never failed his people. Disaster always came to them when they refused to follow his guidance. AN lion Kin" Alexander was killed by a monkey ~t he Greeks were called upon to between Constantine and \ enizelos. Their choice was ruinous to the country. Before the advent of Constantine Greece, with no aid and little countenance from the Powers, was able io hold. Mustapha's forces easily at bay, even drive them hack, but \yuh Constantiue came a change in the Greek army. Courtiers replaced soldiers in lugii command, while hicnch, British and Italian public opinion, remembering Constantine’s _ treachery during the war, altered their attitude towards the Greek in different power, and became hostile. Then the hostile Powers became active when the Kemr.l'.st attacks reached the lines and the Greek army was beaten. Then came panic, and with panic the complete destruction of what, was once a hue army. With its disappearance went the last hope of Anatolia s salvation.

WHAT WILL COME NEXT? That the history of the East and probablv the West should have been changed by the bite of a monkey is ■just "another grimace of that comic spirit, which bursts now andl again into pages of every tragedy. All that could bo done, afterwards was to have the remnants of that great policy. Western civilisation put up its last light against the return of savagciv into Europe when the British, sailors and soldiers, deserted by their Allies and associates, saved Constantinople last September' and October I rent lucleous carnage. The pact ot Mudaina was not the Sevres Treaty, but w\as certainly better than Lausanne, Front Sevres to Mudunia was a retreat, from Mudania. to Lausanne is a rout. What will come next? Lausanne is not the terminus, but is only a milestone.—A. and N.Z.C.A.