Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-22
Gives TURKEYS REASON
FOR TAKING PART IN WAR
Grand Vizfer Declares Nation Mas
Tired of Hypocrisy Actual
ing Triple Entente.
OBJECT OF MANY EALsEuoops
Denies Assertion of Allies That Gov
ernment Lacks Support of People.
They Only Want Chance To Work
Out Their Own Destiny.

CONSTANTINOPI.E (via I.ondon).
February 81 ul:2o r. MD.--Prince Said
Hahn. the Turkish Grand Vizier. In
the first interview he ever has given
has outlined to the Associated Press
Turkeys reason for entering the war.
lie explained the abolition of the cap
itulations and pointed out advances
made during the past six years
I'VE have rejected the triple en-
tente's offer to guarantee Turkey in
tegrity for thirty years" said tie
Grand NiZier, because acceptance
would have been detrimental TO Tur-
Keys sovereignty. Turkeys experience
with the promises made by the powers
forming the triple entente tGreat Brit
ain France and Russial has not been
favorable To the promotion of conf
dence.
Turkey knew that TO enter into re-
lations with Great Britain, France and
Russia would have harmed the coun-
try's interest. Russia. 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 different. the page OF his
tory which is nov being written might
nave read Inherently.
we were tired of the Hypocrisy
actuatinS the triple entcnt. when deal
ing with Turkey: so we did what pro-
vocation forced us to do-went to war
Turkey was made the object Of
many falsehoods by the entente. Now
the allies assert that the government
lacks the support OF the people Could
we make such Il good military show
ing If the government have not OBJ
tanned the hearty cooperation OF all
Oltomans?
TURKEY EVEN MORE UNITED
THAN HAD BEEN EXPECTED
The fact is. the present war shows
Turkey even more united than we had
expected. That Turkey Is capable of
developing the highest form OF ma
tional solidarity is d demonstrated fact
The Turkish people want chance
10 work out their destiny. Our start
six years ago was good. Much has
been accomplished already. We have
initiated many measures promoting the
well-being Of the people In Constan-
tinoplc.
Il realize there is much to do. but
the world should not forget that our
means are limited. and that heretofore
we have been hampcred by the capitu-
lations
I'VE are not barbaric people, not
savage not black, not brown, not vel
low. but white. with every right Of the
other whic rnccs-a people willing to
invest Its wealth and blood in the op-
portunity TO make good as Americans
say.
Turkey has been misreprescntcd and
misunderstood; hence, she IS lacking
the sympathy TO which she is entitled
heretofore, we were the pawn In Eu-
ropes politics. and our interests were
wholly unconsidercd We were tired Of
this ana 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 Hungary and
Italy passed under the sway OF their
powerful ally in the alliance?
The matter OF foreign schools is
simple enough. We propose TO give
these institutions the status enjoyed
by them in the United States, the man
agement continuing TO De independent.
All we wished 10 accomplish by the
abolition OF the capitulations was the
elimination Of the small states within
turkey created by the capitulations. ]
do NOT assert that these viii never be
needed. but the time has come when
Turkey Is anxious 10 extend TO ali with
IN her borders the protection and guar
n h,r &c