The farmer and mechanic., 1915-09-07
BY the Associated Pres,

prominence n
stantnople has given the Associated
Press correspondent some IDEA of |
what may be accomplished III Turkey
In event Of the war having a favorable
outcome for the Turks. Although the
banker stipulated that his name
should not be used at This time. his
position and knowledge of the country
are such that his statements even ap-
pearlnE anonymously, may be con-
sidered as of unusual Importance
Discussing the essentials that would /
make Turkey a strong and Self-con- |
| tanned political unit after the war he |
said at the outset that what Turkey |
| needed today most was an economic !
| policy that would leave something for |
| coming generations. In other words |
exploitation would have TO cease
! Great Resources.
The undeveloped resources of the
Ottoman empire are enormous" he
continued. Turkey, for instance,
| could meet the entire grain shortage
| of Europe, if it's soil We're adequately
titled and marketing facilities pro-
vlded Turkey could supply all Of Eu-
rope with fruit, and ship fully one
half Of the meat now imported by Eu-
ropean countries from South and
| North America, Australia and New
Of cotton would place Turkey next to
the United States as a producer of the
staple. The olive oil industry could
| be increased a thousand times. More
wool could be exported Ports of An
atolia, and Syria are especially suited
, for the raising Of plants Of great me-
, dicinal value. Even coal of fair value
; could be shipped to the Mediterran
f can countries"
Before any Of these things could be
, made possible, however, sid the ban
ker, the Ottoman government would
, have to realize that a stable economic
policy was necessary Some of the
f Young Turks had already arrived at
such conclusion, but little had been
done even by them, he asserted
But we must be patient. 1t is
hardly two years now since the Turks
| themselves have taken to work. Up
| to that time the Turks held the errO-
neous notion that work was not par
ticularly ennobling, that work after
/ all, was for others-kurds and Ar
menians. With the Turks holding the
reins of government, this view could
lead but to one result-a total lack OF
sound economic thought. Whateve,
was done had the meeting of imme-
@ diate needs as it's objective. ExplOi-
tation of a most ruthless nature en-
sued. Under this system the splendid
forests Of Turkey were destroyed; the
peasant was taxed to death and given
no opportunity to improve either him
self or his land; honest investors were
kept out Of the country, with the re-
suit that Turkey today has no indus
. tries, and is obliged even to ship it>
e olive Oil to Italy for refinement. The
y absence Of all economic understand
:, ing on the part of those in power
- under the old regime was appalling
rt Those wishing to establish themselve:
d in some industry or business in Turkey
k. were usually asked to pay for th'
= privilege in the form of g bribe Il
!" some official.
n Conditions Better.
o "Already conditions have improved
but there is much room for better
20 ment yet. But [ am not one of thOs
who maintain, maliciOusly, | think
or that the Turk is constitutionally AYERS
q ! to progress. He simply does not, as
IS rule, understand that what may bene
s. fit Others will benefit him. The Tur
l. is suspicious Of all strangers, he
y, also cOvetOuS enough to envy tn
Sc foreigner whose skill and enterpris
or lead to success. He does not under
of stand that a similar qualification an
y. eXertiOn on his own part would prC
OF duce a like result.
'el Such a condition could have bl
nd one result, the stagnation one finds
n. all parts of the Ottoman empire. Rs
sy ligion has nothing to do with tha
he l have many Turkish friends who er
rk joy material Well-being along wit
as their religion, and / am quite SUI
cir that the Anatolian peasant is capab
ill of relishing both caviare and vaud
he Vile, if he could but secure them
ds Needs Railways.
IS Turkey needed rapid extensie
Of it's railroad system" said Il
banker 1T needed more road
though paradoxical as it might seer
Turkey had never had SO many got
Is roads as had been built during Il
war Then, the peasant would Ia
to be trained and relieved from niue
of the petty interference he is ST
tie subject to. Commerce ought to
the given the opportunity of developil
ler under the impetus OF unrestrlct
is competition. Manufacture should
rfs. placed beyond the reach Of COVER