NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY. Registered for transmission through the post as a newspaper. SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1923. TURKEY'S DECISION.

Northern Advocate, 10 March 1923, Page 4

NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY. Registered for transmission through the post as a newspaper. SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1923. TURKEY'S DECISION.

Though the Turks have rejected the torms proposed by the Lausanne Conference for the settlement of affairs in the Near East, they have no idea of breaking off th negotiations with the Allies. Ismet Pasha, their spokesman at Lausanne, has been empowered to continuo his efforts, and it is worth remembering that Ismet exhibited a verv conciliatory spirit in all his dealings with the representatives of the Great Powers. As the conversations proceeded, he made very consideiablo concessions, and although he lnis failed to carry the Angora Assembly with him on all points, he is probably still eager to come to an agreement with the Allies. From the point of view of the Allies, however, the task is not one to be envied. Turkey has been a source of trouble to them over aiac-e they began to have dealings with her. In the first place an interloper in Europe, she was for long years a harsh oppressor. Wluui the Ottoman strength began to wane the Great Powers of Europe took Turkey under their wing, and they have repeatedly ;+mvcd her from destruction. It. is 'crue that they sympathised with the national movements which led to the acquisition of their independence by tlia variohs Balkan States, but the Ottoman hold on these had become so feeble that it could no longer be maintained., The Western Powers thereafter always steadfastly resisted the further, dismemberment of Turkey. Their solicitude for "the sick man of Pitiropo," misplaced as it proved to he, became proVerbial. They fought his battles; again and again t'Vy stood between him and predatory Russia; they saved him from the worst consequences of defeat in the Balkan war. To Turkey was extended extraordinary patience and toleration, for which she made but an ill return. Moreover, if there is any Western Power that has boon a good friend to Turkey it, is Britain, whose particular protege Turkey was for more than a century. Though thev evidently mean to extract every possible concession from the Western Powers, the Turks probably are shrewd enough to remember what their benfaetors have done for them. Por the present Russia poses as Turkcv's friend, and Russia may be useful in the negotiations. But the Turks, no doubt, know how far their new friend is to Kp-relied on, and they may nesitnto to temnt the Allies too much. TV»on«Th the forms drafted at Lausanne hfv> booT! ivifWed. it is still possible fn- ('••• r.-jrfln- <o r>omo to an agrotp.nnt. if'ss of *hr> Turks to f' r ! " '"m v +hpir. s> rrlonr Im^nnled.