TURKEY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17871, 28 February 1920, Page 9

TURKEY

THE MOSLEM PROBLEM. Preefl A.ssociotion—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, Fobruary 24. The Labour Party has issued a statement replying to 'the Indian Moslems' representations, which points out that tho Calipluito of the Osmanli Turks is not acknowledged by the rest of the Mohammedan world, find, as tho question is a religious one, it should bo settled by tho Moslems. The reply distinguishes between various races formerly under Turkish rule, and urges that the principle of self-determina-tion should bo applied whero possible. The possible internationalisation of tho Dardanelles and the Bosphorus is favoured, also the axiom that the populations of the Syrian districts, Palestine, and Mesopotamia should bo consulted as to whether they desire a restoration of the Ottoman, sovereignty, unconditional independence, or a mandate under the Leaguo of Nations.—A. and N.Z. Cable. BRITISH TROOPS AT DATUM. CONSTANTINOPLE, February 26. Tho decision to withdraw British troops from Batum lias been cancelled.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

THE UNSPEAKABLE TURK

A STRONG INDICTMENT.

LONDON, February 25,

In tho House of Commons the greatest interest was 'aroused by the debate on tho future of Tnrkoy, which arose in the afternoon on the motion foy adjournment, tho Coalitionists attaching sufficient importance to the occasi*n to send out a three-line Whip. Sir Donald M'Lean opened the debate, stressing the deep obligation the Empire owed to India, but declaring that Britain was under no obliga tion of any kind to the Turks, who entered the war without provocation from Britain. He described Constantinople as a cesspool of intrigue, a breeder of war, and a source of massacres and horrors, and stated that if the Turks were left there Constantinoplo would once again be the seat of world disturbance.

Mr Lloyd George declared that the Peace Conference had weighed the advantages and disadvantages carefully, and had considered all difficulties, obstacles, and perils. After discussing all those points the conference had arrived at the conclusion that on the whole the better course was to retain tho Turk at Constantinople for the achieving of the common end.—A. and N.Z. Cable and Router.

Referring to two of his pledges in reference to Turkey with which his opponents made great play, Mr Lloyd George declared that the first pledge, namely, " There will be a different porter at the gates of the Bosphorus," will bo fulfilled to the letter.—(Cheers.) The second pledge was given in a speech in January, 1918, after full consultation and with the consent of all parties. He stated that the Allies were not fighting to challenge tho maintenance of the Turkish Empire with the capital at Constantinople subject to the passage from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea being internationalised and neutralised; also that Arabia, Armenia, Mesopotamia, Syria, and Palestine be entitled to recognition as separate nationalities. The declaration was specific, unqualified, and most deliberate. The immediate effect was that recruiting went up appreciably. Nearly half a million enlisted in India. Britain could not have conquered Turkey without that help, and nothing would damage British power in Asia more than the feeling that they could not trust the British word.—(Cheers.) Proceeding, Mr Lloyd George declared that when. tho Peace terms were published there would be no friend of the Turk. If any were left who did not realise that he was terribly punished for his follies and crimes. He would be stripped of more than half his Empire and his capital. He would bo under the Allied guns and would be deprived and of his army and navy and tho prestige which that guardianship gave was important. The forts would be dismantled and Turkey would have no troops anywhere within reach of her gates. The Allies advised garrisoning the Dardanelles, and if necessary, the Bosphorus, which could be carried out with a comparatively small force. An alternative to this proposal was international government at Constantinople and the surrounding country, which would be the most unsatisfactory government that anyone could choose. One of the difficulties had been the falling out of Russia and America. He had hoped that America might take the guardianship of Armenia, and even of Constantinople, but America for the moment could be reckoned out of any arrangement.

Discussing the effort in regard to the in ternationalis&tion of the protection of minorities the Prime Minister said that Sir Donald Mac Lean proposed to remove the Turk from a place where he could not easily direct massacres to a spot where he could organise them without interference. It would be to the greater safety of every Armenian if he knew he had the protection of tho British fleet. If the Sultan lived at Kovieh he would be surrounded by a fanatical pooulation without knowledge of the outside world. The Allies had deprived the Turk of the guardianship of the road to the Black Sea, which gave him real authority in the councils of the world. Every precaution had been taken to see that the minorities who suffered so bitterly in the past would have every protection, not of an interchange of Notes, but of that which was derivable from a knowledge of those who had been persecuting them. They would bo signing their decree under the mena*e of tho British, French, and Italian guns. —A. and N.Z. Cable and Eeuter.