The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1938. When Dictators Fall 111

Northern Advocate, 9 August 1938, Page 4

The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST”

TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1938. When Dictators Fall 111

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WHAT happens to a totalitarian State when its dietatoi dies. That is the question yet to be answered in the twentieth century. It is a question pregnant with possibilities Hitler. Mussolini, Stalin, cannot live for ever. They are of course, in the prime of life at present, but men in their positions are often cut off suddenly, and unless their successors are men of their own ruthless character the elaborate edifices they have created rapidly crumble away. These reflections are prompted by the news that tor a week past Kemal Atatnrk, virtual dictator of the New Turkey, has been lying gravely ill on board his private yacht m the Bosphorus At latest advice he is reported to be recovering, but the nature of his affliction suggests the distinct possibility of a recurrence, and it certainly seems that Kemal Atatnrk would no longer be regarded by life insurance companies as a first-class risk. It is 23 years since, in the course of the Gallipoli Campaign, in 1915 the initiative and strategic skill of a Turkish officer attracted the attention of the German, Liman von Sanders, who was directing the Turkish campaign on the peninsula. The Turk’s name was Mnstapha Kemal. He won glory in the field right through the war, and three years after it led the great campaign which drove the Greeks out of Asia Minor and precipitated the Chanak incident, which almost led to war with the Allies. After that, all Turkey looked to Kemal for leadership. The “Grey Wolf,” as he has been called, was ready to supply it. He supplied also a fund of enlightened ideas which lesnltecl in moie genuine progress, in a few years, than had been achieved in Turkey for centuries. Ancient customs were discarded, and in their place European styles of dress and even the Europan alphabet were Adopted. Any opposition was vigorously suppressed. Kemal ruled, and has continued to rule, with an iron hand. Turkey, under his direction, has advanced economically, socially and intellectually. It is doubtful if, in a country so constituted, any other form of government could have been so effective. But when this strong and resolute man passes on, who is to step into his shoes? This is a critical question which Turkey has yet to answer. The danger is that the old divisions and conspiracies may reassert themselves, and that Turkey, instead of being a united and progressive nation may relapse into its former condition of factional discords.

The same possibilities exist in Germany and Italy. Those countries owe their political advancement to two men of remarkable ability and character. But the State’s utter dependence on the power and influence of one individual, whose life is “but a dewdrop on its perilous way,” is the weakness of dictatorship, just as, while he lives, it is their strength. Kenial Ataturk is the first of the post-war dictators whose health has caused serious anxiety. Should he die, Turkey will be confronted with a crisis which Germany and Italy will eventually have to face.