Omaha daily bee., 1915-02-23
TURK CHIEF CALLS
ALLIES HYPOCRITES
Prince Said Salim, Grand ViEier,
Asserts His People Desire Chance
to Work Out Own Destiny.
DENIES UNDER KA1sER's THUMB

CoNSTANTINoPLE, Feb ga
(via London. Prince Said salim,
the grand wien of Turkey. in the
first interview he has ever given,
has outlined TO the Associated Press
Turkeys reason for entering the war.
He explained the abolition of the
capitulations and pointed out the ad-
vances made during the last six
years.
wherefore Of Rejection.
I'VE have rejected the triple en-
tente's offer to guarantee Turkeys
integrity for thirty years." said the
grand vizier. because acceptance
would have been detrimental to Tur-
keys sovereignty. Turkeys expert
ence with the promises made by the
powers forming the triple entente
(Great Britain, France and Russia)
has not been favorable to the promo
tlon of confidence.
Harmful Factor.
Turkey knew that 60 enter into rela-
tons with Great Britain. France and
Eussla would have been harmful factor
in respect TO the countrys interest. Rus
sla, moreover. is our hereditary enemy,
from whom we could not expect lasting
effects of change Of heart Had the
past actions OF these powers been differ
emit the page OF history which is now be-
ing written might have read differently.
I'VE were tired OF the hypocrisy actu-
atlng the powers of the triple entente
when dealing with Turkey; so we did
what provocation forced US 10 do--went
to war.
object of FaIsehoods.
Turkey was made the object of many
falsehoods by the entente. Now the allies
assert that the government lacks the sup
port Of the people. Could we make such
a good military showing. after the recent
wars and other troubles, II the govern
ment had not obtained the hearty CO.
operation of all ottomans?
THE fact Is, the present war shows
Turkey even more united than We had
expected. The assertions that we would
be unable ever to force the many racial
elements into a strong whole have been
completely refuted. That Turkey is ca
pable OF developing the highest form OF
hatlohhl sohdarity Is demonstrated fact.
want "A Chance.
The Turkish people want a chance 10
work out their destiny Our start six
years ago was good. Much has been ac.
eompllshed already everywhere in mate
rial and intellectual progress. We have
initiated measures promoting the well be-
ing OF tho people in Constantinople. To-
day We have electric traction, telephones.
street lights, good police, clean, we'll
paved streets. public schools and a uni
versity admitting women Public health
mas been conserved vice curbed.
Il realize that there ig much TO do. but
the world should not forget that our
means are limited and that we have here
tofore been much hampered by the capltu-
lations
Not Savage People.
We are not barbaric people, not
savages, not black. not brown, not yellow
but white, with every right OF the other
white races, a people willing to invest lis
wealth and blood In the opportunity TO
make good, as Americans says.
Turkey has been misrepresented and
misunderstood; hence II Is lacking the
sympathy to which II Is entitled. Hereto
fore we were the pawn In Europe's polI-
tics and our interests were wholly I'M
considered We were tired OF this and
now are fighting for the chance to have
Turkey exist for the sake OF Turkey.
The claim that Turkey is bound to
pass under the sway OF Germany is
absurd Have Austria-IIungary and Italy
passed under the sway Of their powerful
ally in the alliance?
Matter of schools.
The matter OF foreign schools is simple
enough. We propose to give these insti-
buttons the status enjoyed BY them IN the
United states. the management continu-
ing TO be Independent, All we wish 10
accomplish by the abolition OF the eapltu-
lations was the elimination Of the small
states within Turkey created by the
eapitulations.