Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-18
ADVANCE OF TURKEY
Opportunities Waiting for
American Shippers.
NEW CONDITIONS PREVAIL
Modern Methods Favored by the
Government.
OPENING OF THE RAILWAYS
Vast Natural Resources Which May
Be Utilized by Improved Means
of Transportation.
ny WIIIIAM n HIrRd,IS

BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS.
Written for The Star and the Chicago Record
Herald.
In his recent message to Congress Presi-
dent Taft calls attention to the boom in
Turkey and says that the change of gov
eminent and the progressive modern pol
icy of reform and public improvements
adopted there have created unusual and
unprecedented opportunities for business
enterprises. He says. too, that 1.-The
prestige of the United States has spread
widely through the peaceful influences of
American schools, universities and mis-
sionaries. and there is every reason why
we should obtain a greater share of the
commerce of the near east. since the
conditions are more favorable now than
ever before"
This sagacious statement Is based upon
the reports from the American consuls
at Constantinople. Smyrna. Beirut. Sa-
loniki and other commercial centers in
the Ottoman empire, who see in their
districts the most favorable opportunities
for the Introduction of American mer-
chandise and for obtaining concessions
for public improvements which have
never been permitted in Turkey until re-
Gently. For example. the late sultan had
a superstitious fear of electricity. 1t is
q mysterious force he could never COM
prehend. and such invisible agencies he
considered peril to himself and to his
dynasty. Therefore he would never al
low an electric light. or telephone, or
an electric street car or an electric motor
of any kind in his dominions. Since he
was deposed, however, there has been a
clamor from all parts of Turkey for
these and other modern improvements
Ernest S. Harris, our energetic consul
at Smyrna, recently asserted that there
was not a single agency in that progress
sive city of 100000 inhabitants for the
sale of American electrical machinery or
supplies.
Electric Supplies in Smyrna.
''One Smyrna firm informed me- he
said, that an attempt had been made to
get the agency of an American electrical
supply firm. The reply was that unless
halfa m..lion dollars worth of business
could be done the first year. it would
not suit to enter the field. A German
agency was then secured, which was
willing the first year to install an electric
plant costing $4,000. Today the two
largest electrical companies in Berlin
are ably represented in Smyrna. They
began several years ago by accepting
every proposition whether large or small.
Just now, when all restrictions against
the importation Of electrical appliances
into Asia Minor have been removed. and
a great tidal wave of electrification, so to
speak, is passing over the country, 1t Is
not difficult to prophesy who will get not
only the large concessions for trans and
lighting In the cities. but the trade at
tendant upon supplying all the necessary
wires machines. apparatus. etc, as we'll
If that American firm had been willing
to make a small beginning few years
ago, it would now be In a position to get
a big share of the trade. AS 1t is not
single American. electrical establishment
Is represented in Symrna'
1.-The eyes OF the world are turned
on Asia Minor Just now" continued Con
sui General Harris, for the reason that
everybody realizes that the country is
about to be opened up. Trade restrlc-
tions that formerly existed have been
removed. Today there are no restric-
tions. and even firearms and cartridges
can be imported in any quantities There
are also no obstacles placed In the way
OF personal liberty. all classes Of citizens
of the empire being allowed to depart
| from and return to the country at will.
| This state of affairs must necessarily
give a powerful impetus to trade, and a
vast expanse of territory, which has been
! idle since ancient times. will be rapidly
reclaimed for the benefit OF the worlds
commerce at large.
The Garden of Eden.
| The Turkish government has compre-
hensive schemes for the reclamation Of
the desert Of Mesopotamia. where Adam
and Eve lived in an orchard at one time.
and the man who laid out the great
| irrigation system OF Egypt and built the
| Assouan dam has reported a plan for
restoring the irrigating bitches in the