New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-12
Oscar StrauS Says War
Aids Empires Move to
Gain Freedom.
EQUAL RIGHTS IN
LAND OF OTTOMAN
Home Rule Idea Outcome of
Education, Is Belief of
DR.. A. w. Halsey.

turkeys move in abrogating
treaties granting foreigners exemp-
ton from Ottoman Jurisdiction and
giving TO them extraterritOrial rights
through which they have been tried
by their own judges, or consuls, was
not taken without the countenance Of
one or more of the European powers
rerty to such treaties, in the opinion
OF Oscar s. Straus, former American
Ambassador to Turkey.
- do not speak from actual knowl-
edge" said Mr.. Straus, "but my in
/ ference is that Turkey did not make
this move without the consent of one
or more of the European nations
whether England or Germany, or both.
am unable to say. To use a slang
phrase, it is up TO Turkey to make
good in the use Of this acquired power
by guaranteeing to all the nationali-
ties within her dominion equal rights.
at does not come wholly as sur
prise that Turkey should utilize the
international crisis TO free herself
from the trammels on her sovereignty.
Turkey, with these treaties, or capitu-
lstions, as they are known, in force,
was not sovereign in her own domin-
ions. | am sure no one familiar with
Turkey will begrudgc her the right to
become sovereign in her own land,
provided she will act in such a way
as 20 justify reliance upon her courts
and not use her power to Cypress the
non MOhammedans. Whether she will
be able to free herself from the capt.
ulatiOns will depend upon the en-
lightened use she will make of this
added sovereignty. ] believe the new
regime is much better equipped to do
this than the old leadership Of Abdul
Hamid."
DR.. A. Woodruff Halsey. secretary
of the home department Of the Pres
byterian board Of Foreign Missions,
who is also familiar at first hand with
conditions in Turkey, takes an OPP
timiStic view of the abrogation of the
cSpitulations. The Abrogation Of the
extraterritorial rights Of foreigners.
he said, need not cause any alarm to
the friends Of the missions.
at is true that these rights" he
said, "were obtained only after long
and protracted efforts on the part OF
foreign powers, and at the time grant
ed they were essential for the safety
of the lives of all foreigners in the
Turkish Empire.
Turkey, like the rest OF the world,
has been moving forward. Her pres
ent government, while far from ideal,
has made great advances, and in TAX
ing this step, she is only following in
the wake OF all nations of the Garth
in asserting the principle of home
rule. The great wave of democracy
Of the equal rights of men, sweeping
over the world. has affected Turkey.
"The educational institutions, some
of whose friends fear that this act OF
Turkey will interfere with their use
fulness, have been teaching the prin-
ciples unwittingly, which eventually
must lead TO this freedom of the in
dividual and Of the nation.
"Now that the great powers have
their hands full with affairs at home,
Turkey has seized the opportunity to
demand what men the world over, who
have the interests Of humanity at
heart believe belongs TO all people
namely, the right of self-governmcnt.
1t may be premature, it may have
dangers to the life and property Of
foreigners, but it spells progress.