MOSLEM UNREST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18754, 6 January 1923, Page 6

MOSLEM UNREST

IN INDIA, TURKEY, AND RUSSIA. SOVIET SCHEMING. The present unrest in the Mahomcdan world is not explained, says Sir Patrick Hohir, K.C.1.E., in the ‘'Nineteenth Century,” by sueli etfeeis of ihc war as are seen in all nations that took part. It lies deeper; ajl the great Mahoinedun countries snare this special unrest, and have acquired a prejudice against the British race, notwithstanding that it has always been our policy in the past to help them and to identity ourselves with them as friends. The Mahomcdan views the Treaty of Sevres as a repudiation on our part of the tie of friendship that bound the British people to Moslems, and ho considers that by our acquiescence in the pact that was ready to hand over Constantinople to Russia, the traditional enemy of Islam, we wero guilty of a specially aggressive act, and one that confirmed their suspicions that we were aiming a destructive blow at their faith These are the views the voung MaJiomedan of India to-day. They are not shared by the older Moslems there, whoso confidence in us has not been shaken; but it is the young Mahomcdan in India who counts. We have always recognised that one of the 'greatest safeguards to our rule in the East has boon that of non-interference with the religions and the religious life of the people wo govern. A\hy was it ignored in the transfer of the Caliphate? In the Caliph was centred the most important functionary of Islam, and a great symbol. The Allies seem to have lost sight of the fact that their action was seriously affecting about 200 millions of people, one eighth of the population of the globe. In Asia alone (hero are more than 160 millions of Mahomedans. and our Indian Empire contains 67 millions. I here are hi onr Empire more Mahomedans than Christians. The loyalty of the Moliamcdans of India was put to a severe strain when they fought against their en-rcligionists the Turks. Afghans. Mohsuds, and Waziris throughout (he Great War. . Several large public meetings have been held in India passing resolutions protesting against the British Government sending military forces to the Dardanelles after the recent victories of (he 'lurks. Lists are published of Mahomcdan volunteers ready to help the Angora Government m person and in funds, and every Mahomcdan is urged to give the help in his power as a religions ditty. ‘‘As regards Moslem India, it is not talk only; they mean business. In relation, to the Afghan War of 1910, which was very near success, it was intended that a general rising of the Mahomedans in the North-west provinces should lake place. . Soviet Russia has played an insidious part. The Russians have always had an eye on Constantinople and the Straits, ami two Notes have indicated ihal there is no change in their view. It is the dream of the Soviets, ns of Tsarist Russia, that it. should rule the Straits, the Bhu*k Son becoming a Russian lake. The Kemalist coup and policy have been accepted by the Bosheviks as an opportunity for fostering the scheme, as shown by exchange of Notes beginning on .lime 3. 1920. Islamism and Bolshevism are supposed to be irreconcilable, yet the Bolshevik regime has cemented Islamism and Tuianianism in widespread brotherhood. One Mohammedan province after another has come under the jurisdiction of Moscow, and the people have recognised too Into Hie grip in which they were held. 'I he Bolshevik has been clever enough to disguise from the Turk and (lie Tartar that they are lacing made use of as a means to an end. AM who understand Eastern armies, says Sir Patrick Ilehir. would strongly deprecate any action that would suggest that we were going lo show the Turks our back. If wc had allowed ourselves to be hustled out of Channk it would have had a bad effect on onr position as- a world Power. It. would not have prevented war, but probably it, would have lighted up a war that would not have been confined to the Near East. Major-general Sir George Aston says in the “Nineteenth Century’’ that when the terms of the Treaty of Sevres were being considered a circular was going the rounds of Free Churches in Wales, urging the ministers to prevail upon their congregations to pass a resolution in sot terms requesting the Prime Minister lo turn the Turks out of Constantinople, and to send a telegram embodying the resolution to the Prime Minister himself, ‘T heard one of many congregations take with fervour the action suggested to them,” ho continues, “but I do not for a moment believe that those who recorded their votes had any idea of the great issues which their resolution, if acted upon, might entail. The action was taken from religions motives. It is delicate ground upon which to tread, but experience gained in 1914, and during the period that has since intervened, tempts one to suggest that it would be well for Christendom to cast the beam out of its own eye before undertaking the task of casting the mote out of the „cye of Islam. I have not. however, referred to the occurrence with a view to comment, 1/ut rather in order to show that on both sides there are religious forces, at present lying latent, which might flame into widespread combustion if ignited by a spark so apparently small as the question whether the seat of government of Turkey should be situated at Constantinople, on the European side, or at Scutari, on the Asiatic side, of the Bosphorus.”