TURKEY IN ROLE OF PEACEMAKER

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 196, 21 August 1935, Page 16

TURKEY IN ROLE OF PEACEMAKER

’J’URKEY IS ACQUIRING a new im-

portance —as peacemaker of tho Balkans. This is a novel experience for a country hitherto famed for fighting. l'ke traditional picture of the Turk with red fez, long, baggy trousers and often with a fierce array of knives in his cummerbund, should now be replaced by that of an enlightened man in western attire sitting at a conference table seeking to settle international difficulties by treaties and better understandings.

The regime of Kamal Ataturk was Porn in violence 12 years ago but has evolved into an era of peaceful and constructive development. Western civilisation manifested amazement, and many leaders of tho Muslim world showed undisguised horror when Kamal Ataturk proclaimed a republic, after having driven out tho Greeks and freed Turkey from control of the allied countries. The “Ghazi” (Victor or “Chiei Turk”), as ho came to be known more recently, expelled the Sultan and his family, abolished the Caliphate and has ruled the country autocratically ever since.

His sympathies aro understood to favour democratic institutions, bub he does not believe that Turkey is ready yet tor such a form of government. So be governs as a dictator with the sanction of the Grand National Assembly in Ankara, which passes his measures without opposition.

Prior to 1923, Ankara lingered almost in the Middle Ages. It was an Asiatic village with no real streets. Its name evoked no special interest and it was known only for its wool and its cats.

In 12 years a magical change has taken place. It has been planned along the most modern lines of western civilisatio with wide streets, parks, avenues and statues and, with its "white stucco buildings, decorated with turquoise blue, it rears its dazzling head, a veritable oasis in the desert.

Not only has the town itself been nransfoitned Kamal Ataturk has fiurned the somewhat lackadaisical Turks ol the past into a busy throng of eager workers and businessmen Harems have become homes. Welldressed mnn , r'r'” v, ' v nndo

Civilising Activities at Home

PACIFIC WORK IN BALKANS

together in the streets, dance and play games. Economic and educational developments have kept step with other advances. An extensive railway system is linking the chief towns of the country. Turkish banks have opened branches in small towns and villages. Literacy has become fashionable. The old Arabic alphabet, which was understood by only a fraction of tho people, has been abolished. Turkish characters derived from Latin have taken their place. Arabic and Persian words have been puc out of use. Turkey itself is, perhaps, responsible to a great extent for its recent history not being better known, but the nation has yet to learn the art of propaganda and self-advertisement. Furthermore, it bas been far too busy setting its houso in order to worry much until now about the impression it is creating abroad. But, in a very short time It expects to be universally acknowledged for its peace activities. Tcwfik Ilushdi Aras, Turkish Foreign Minister, is now being called “the Briand of the Orient,” and Ankara has become a sort of Geneva of south-east Europe. Statesmen from neighbouring countries have vis, ted Turkey’s new capital, and these visits havo usually resulted in the conclusion of treaties of friendship and non-aggression. In cosequence, Turkey bas made a place for itself in tho comity of nations. From almost total obscurity it has developed into a power of high prestige with a diplomatic importance which is demonstrated by its being the first of Germany's allies in the World War to be elected on the Council of the League of Nations Tewfik Rushdi Aras was recently President of the League Council, a distinction rendered all tho more outstnnd' r >i7 bv the i™port !lT >+ rWUinri of

the Saar plebiscite being taken during his office. The vital geographical key position which Turkey holds makes the pacific foreign policy which it ha 3 resolutely pursued since its revolution a matter of capital importance. Not only does it aid in preserving peace in southeastern Europo but it also constitutes a big element of security to Asiatic neighbouring states. Turkish relations with tho Soviet Union are friendly and the visit to Turkey, 18 months ago, of an important Soviet delegation headed by Mr K., E. Voroshilolf, Minister of War, gave renewed strength to these relations. The first power to aid Turkey iu the days when its existence was in the melting pot, Soviet Russia is today ono of Turkey’s most esteemed friends, and of all official visitors to Ankara the Soviet delegation has stimulated the most spontaneous and extensive enthusiasm. These friendly relations constitute the primary factor which lias made possible Turkey’s concentration on rebuilding its internal structure. Secure in tho knowledge that on its eastern frontier is a guardian friend, Turkey has been ablo to direct all energy on constructive work. Closely linked by various treaties, Turkey and Soviet Russia dominate the Black Sea. More important still, in actual tact, they also dominate the Straits. .Both countries are intent on securing modifications of the present status quo of the Straits, but Turkey, despite Soviet Russia’s insistence, has up to now refrained from seriously pressing for a reconsideration of' the Straits Convention of 1932, in the interests of peace and disarmament. In an interview, Tewfik Rushdi Aras declared that Turkey’s attitude of refmining from unduly pressing its case

coucerning the Straits was dictated by his country’s earnest desire to do nothing to jeopardise the--efforts of arriving at some successful issue on disarmament. Ho explained that under tho actual conditions Turkey could never fulfill its responsibility of guaranteeing the freedom of the Straits. Its fleet, he said, could perhaps close them if ordered to do so. but no fleet could insure their being kept open without help from ashore.

Turkey now attributes no serious credence to the oft-repeated desire of Italy to obtain a footing on the South coast of Anatolia, but, nevertheless, she keeps this region well guarded. A certain suspicion of Italy exists, though tne Turks themselves find it difficult to dcfino clearly a justifying reason. Tko situation which arose from Italy’s failure to fulfill a promise of a £3,000,000 loan to Turkey in goods and machinery resulted in a serious diminution of trade between the two countries and, definitely, commercial Italy no longer enjoys any special welcome here.

The conclusion of the Grcco-Turkish pact has introduced a completely new era in south-eastern Europe and has constituted the baso of the Balkan Entente. 'Turkey, Yugoslavia, Greece and Humania have readied a solid understanding and this unquestionably has averted tho possibility of a conflagration which otherwise would almost certainly have broken out when the recent Greek revolution was in progress.

Eolations with Bulgaria are good, but far from perfect. Here is a stumbling block to the easy realisation of a fuller Balkan Union. Tension has been relieved somewhat by the Bulgarian Minister in Turkey recently declaring that Bulgaria had no intention of denouncing the military clauses of the Treaty of Neuilly. This possibility has been considered a serious menace, since Germany set a new example recently, and the Bulgarian Minister’s assurance has caused a good impression in Ankara. Bulgaria, despite tho proffered mediation of various States, persists in her policy of isolation. She will not join the Balkan Entente until her desires are granted.