THE TURKISH CAPITAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18995, 17 October 1923, Page 6

THE TURKISH CAPITAL.

It has been reported by cable that the Turkish National Assembly, by a large majority, has confirmed the Government's proposal to make Angora the capital of the newly proclaimed Republic. There lias been much discussion, both in and outside Turkey, concerning the rival claims of Angora and Constantinople to be chosen as the seat or government. The circumstance of perennial interest and prestige, regarded alone, would be of paramount weight in favour of the ancient capital: and it is a moot question whether this consideration has to be discounted on I the score of practical suitability. Some interesting remarks oh the subject are to be found in an article on "The New Turkey," by Mr H. Charles Woods, a publicist closely Conversant with Near Eastern conditions, in the September number of the Fortnightly Review. "With regard to the capital," observes this writer, "opinion appears to be acutely divided between the progressive elements of the population, who believe in the Government's return to Constantinople, and the less enlightened, wno favour its sojourn at Angora. The former party rightly consider that a geographical situation of world importance, such as Constantinople, should not be ignored, and that amenities and accommodation already existing there would have to be provided in the interior of Anatolia. Their opponents, apparently ignoling the fact that even they recognised the West in their conclusion of peace, still seem to fear that Turkey will become corrupted by contact with Europe, and to think that Ministers and Deputies should remain in direct contact with their peasant electors." Mr Woods thinks that, as Russia may yet be a potential force in relation to the Straits, Turkish interest's in that quarter could bo better safeguarded with Constantinople than with Angora as the capital. There is a tinge of grim irony, by the way, in the idea of Turkish purity, whether personal or administrative, being corrupted by association with. European influences.. Anyhow, the verdict has gone in favour of the Asiatic town, which, though insignificant, as regards size and renown, in comparison with the storied city of Constantino, nevertheless has its distinct place .in historic records. Angora, the Ancyra of classic times, formed part of the ancient Gaiatia, and was the seat of one of the earliest Christian cJiurches, probably founded by St. Paul. Tamerlane, the Tartar conqueror, fought a great victorious battle there against the rurks but the place has belonged to the Ottoman Empire since 1405. Its present population, estimated at sometning over 30,000, is exceeded by that of at least eight towns still under tlie Turkish dominion, and j makes a poor show beside Constantinople's million. .Moreover, the streets: are narrow, and a large proportion of the houses are built of mud. It is said that an enterprising American syndicate has undertaken, or at least offered, to construct a Washington''; but caustic critics have suggested that any spare cash or credit wh!ch Turkey may possess could be put to more profitable uses.-

THE WEST COAST TRADE. Complaint was made at the meeting of the Manufacturers’ Association last night of the lack of facilities for the shipment of goods to the "West Coast of this island. The matter is one that touches the whole-business community. The establishment of the railway service between Christchurch and Greymouth through the Otira tunnel has the effect only of increasing the disabilities that are suffered by Otago manufacturers and merchants if the opportunity of shipping goods to the West Coast by sea is withheld from them. Canterbury merchants may find that the railage charges on goods consigned by them to the WestCoast are not prohibitive, but the freight rates put it out of the question for business people in Otago to send merchandise by rail to Greymouth. The trade between Otago and the ports of the West Coast must be conducted by seacarriage. The merchants in Otago cannot otherwise compete with those of the more central provincial districts. In these circumstances it is a distinct hardship upon them that the facilities for skipping goods to the Coast should be so inadequate as they were last night represented to be, for they are deprived of business which otherwise would .certainly be secured by them. No doubt the question arises of the volume of the freight that offers for steamers in the West Coast service, and it will have to be met by the deputation which has been appointed to wait upon the local manager of the'Union Steam Ship Company. From what was said last night, however, wo infer that the deputation will be in a position to submit a powerful case.