New-York tribune., 1919-06-27
permanent interests of the populations
themselves.

permanent interests of the populations
themselves.
"But the council observes with regret
that the memorandum introduces in
this connection a wholly different or
der of considerations based on op-
posed religious rivalries. The Turkish
Empire is, it seems, to be preserved
unchanged, not SO much because this
would be to the advantage of the Mos
lens Or of the Christians within its
borders, but because it's maintenance
is demanded by the religious sentiment
of men who never felt the Turkish
yoke, or have forgotten how heavily
1T weighs on those who are compelled
to bear it.
Unjustified by Facts
But surely there never was a senti-
ment less justified by facts The whole
course of the war exposes its hollow
ness. What religious issue is raised
by struggle in which Protestant Ger
many, Roman Catholic Austria, Ortho-
dox Bulgaria and Moslem Turkey
banded themselves together to plunder
their neighbors?
The only SAVIOR of deliberate fanati-
cism perceptible in these transactions
mans by order of the Turkish govern
ment. But your excellency has pointed
out that, at the very same time and
by the very same authority, unoffend-
ing Moslems were being slaughtered,
in circumstances sufficiently horrible
and in numbers sufficiently large to
mitigate, if not wholly to remove, any
suspicion of religious partiality.
During the war, then, there was lit
tie evidence of sectarian anmosity on
the part Of any of the governments
and no evidence whatever, so far as
the Entente powers were concerned.
modify this judgment. Every mans
conscience has been respected, places
of sacred memory have been carefully
guarded, the states and peoples who
were Mahometan before the war are
Mahome ntan still
Nothing touching religion has
been altered. except the security with
which l. may be practisod and this,
wherever Allied control evists, has
certainly been altered for the better.
"1f it be replied that the diminution
IN the territories of a historic Moslem
state must injure the Mosier, cause in
Ill lands. rcs~octfullv sr~~--st that
in our opinion, this is an error.
Hope for Change in Turks
For reasons we have already indi-
SdCSu lHc urh was tuoTe attempting a
task for which he had little aptitude
and in which he has consequently had
little success. Set him to work in
happier circumstances. let his energies
find their chief exercise in surround
ings more congenial to his genius,
under new circumstances Tess compli-
Gated and difficult, with an evil tradi-
tion of corruption and intrigue severed,
perhaps forgotten, why should he not
add lustre to his country and thus in
directly to his religion?
"Unless we are mistaken, your ex-
cellency should understand our hopes.
In an impressive passage of your
memorandum you declare it to be your
countrys mission to devote itself to an
intensive economic and intellectual cul
ture.
mo change could be more startling
or impressive, none could be more
bepehcial If your excellency is able
to initiate this. great process of de-
velopment in men of the Turkish race,
you will deserve and will certainly re-
ceive all the assistance we are able to
give you.
(signed) sc. CLEMENCEAU."