The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1918. FINIS TURKEY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 83, 1 November 1918, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1918. FINIS TURKEY.

The news received this morning, of Turkey’s unconditional surrender must •he regarded. as highly important, though it would he unwise to look upon it as the end of the war. Its importance lies in the fact that the surrender is unconditional, and as Turkey is thus following in the steps of Bulgaria, it is a justifiable presumption that Austria will follow suit, and not endeavour to secure peace on terms other than unconditional surrender. It must be remembered that Turkey at best was a poor kind of ally—she was used by the Central Empires as a tool, being deluded by hopes of gain through the help of the powerful Central Empires. Turkey’s downfall ims been brought about mainly «hy the, destruction of the Turkish armies in Syria by the masterly work of General Sir Arthur Allenby, but also indirectly by the Allied advance in Macedonia, and the capitulation of Bulgaria. The vigorous operations ol the Allies on the West front also had its effect on Turkey. Bulgaria’s submission isolated Turkey from the supplies of ammunition and men for which she relied to a great extent on Germany. •Turkey’s position as a belligerent was hopeless. 1 n the east and southwest the British forces in Palestine and Mesopotamia, pressed in on. her, and from the west danger threatened, for, following on the Bulgarian surrender, General d’ Esperey sent some of his forces towards Constantinople, which is less than a hundred miles from the Bulgarian border. Having to , defend two fronts, what could Turkey dof If she sent efficient forces to meet the British armies, only second-rate troops would he left to defend Turkey in Europe.' The action of the Central Powers in seducing Turkey into the war was one of the deepest and deadliest intrigues in history, and it will never, perhaps, he known what enormous bribes Germany paid to corrupt the easily-corrupted Turkish politicians. (Ai large proportion of the Sultan’s subjects never had much storm •mb for the war, not understanding what it was about, and as they became ‘better acquainted with the filthv Germans, they liked them t m less It lakes a good deal to upset a, Turk, hut the Germans even succeeded in revolting him. One Rood result of the Turkish debacle will he that the British forces in Palestine am! Mesopotamia can he hiongh < the Macedonia front and used against \nstria, which should not long bo .p.lc to withstand this force and the armies of Italy. Another accession- . to the Allies will he the ~, ,i„ K „t tho Dtmlonollos, *«• |H.I„ to 1.0 soot to t OSO - So.Ul.on. llossio, olio aro „,.t**«,w ..<>t •» 1 hat 'much still remains to he dune, ■ I hat no respite or consideration should he granted to the Germans on ( he West front, until they, too, see no „t,ior course open hut un.-o.ul.t.onal