Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-06-30
Allies Tell Tarks
They Are Unfit to
Rule Themselves

uum saying tnat ~ COuIu not ucS'P'
the Turkish claim that Its territo.y
be restored und.minisned. A detailed
memorandum embodying a plea Tor
the continuance OF the old Turkish en-
pire was submitted to the council of
ten June II by the Turkish delegation.
The memorandum set forth that the
Turkish government was prepared to
recoani the independence Of Armenia
and to grant some form Of autonomous
government to Palestine and Arabia
under Turkish governors. -
Turkey Tool OF Germany.
The reply of the allied and associat-
ed powers to Damad Pasha (grand
vizer) follows:
t"Tha council Of the principal allied
una associated powers have read with
The most careful attention the meE-
orandum presented to them by your
excellency June II. and in answer to
the promise then made, desire now to
offer the following observations upon
It.: sS+
I'm. yotr recital of the political in
trigues which accompanied Turkey 8
entry into the war and Of the tragedies
which followed 1t, your excellency
makes no attempt to excuse or qualify
the crimes of which the Turkish gov
eminent was then guilty. 1t is admit
ted directly. or by implication, that
Turkey had no cause to quarrel with
the entente powers, that she acted as
the subservient tool of Germany; that
the war, begun without excuse and
conducted without mercy was, accom-
panied by maAsacres whose calculated
atrocities equal or exceed anything in
recorded history. @
blame Shifted to Government.
But it Is argued that these crimes
were committed by Turkish govern
ment for whose misdeeds the Turkish
people were not responsible, that there
was in them no element Of religious
fanaticism; that Moslems suffered
from them not less than the Christ
ians; that they were entirely out Of
harmony with the Turkish tradition.
as historically exhibited in the treat
ment by Turkey OF subject races; that
the maintenance of the Turkish en-
pire Is necessary for the religious equi-
.ibrium Of the world, so that policy, not
less than justice, requires that its ter
ritories should be restored undimin-
ished as they existed when the war
broke out.
Can Not Escape Responsibility.
1.-THE council can neither accept this
conclusion nor the arguments by
which 1t Is supported. They do not,
indeed, doubt that the present govern
ments of Turkey profoundly disap-
~ af hn nv q
predecessors Even If considerations
Of morality did not weigh with it-as
doubtless they, Decentralization of
expediency would be conclusive. AS
individuals its members have every
motive. as well as right, to repudiate
the actions which have proved so dis
astrous to their country.
But, speaking generally, a nation
must be Judged by the government
which rules 1T. which directs its for
eign policy, which controls it armies.
Nor can Turkey claim any relief from
the legitimate consequence Of this doc
,trine merely because her affairs, at a
most critical moment In. her history,
had fallen Into. the hands Of men. who
utterly devoid Of the principle Of pity,
Ottoman Rule Arraisnsd.
1T seems. however. that the claim
for complete territorial restoration put
forward In the memorandum Is not
based really on the plea that Turkey
should not be required to suffer for the
sins of her ministers. It has a deeper
ground. 1t appeals to the history Of
Turkish rule in the past and to the
condition of affairs in the Moslem
world.
Nov, the council is anxious not to
enter into unnecessary controversy or
to inflict needless pain on your excel
lency and the delegates who accom-
pany. It wishes well to the Turkish
people and admires their excellent
Qualities But 1t can not admit that
among those qualities are to be count
ed capacity to rule over alien races.
The experiment has been, tried too
long and too often for there to be the
least doubt as to It's result.
Unfit to Govern Others,
History tells us many Turkish sue
cesses and many Turkish defeates-of
nations conquered and nations freed.
THE memorandum itself refers to
the reductions that have taken place
in the territories recently under Otto
man sovereignty. Yet In all these
changes there Is no case to be found,
either In Europe or Asia or Africa in
which the establishment of Turkish
rule In any country has not been fol-
lowed by biminution Of material
and o fall in the level of
culture. Nor Is there any case to be /,
found in which the withdrawal Of
Turkish rule has not been followed by
q growth in material prosperity and a
rise in the level Of culture.
Talent Only TO Destroy.
Neither among the Christians Of Eu-
rope nor among the. Moslems Of Syria,
Arabia or Africa has the Turk done
other than destroy, whatever he has
conQdered; never has he shown him
self able to develop In peace what he
has won by war. Nor in this direction
DO his talents lie. sss5 l5
The obvious conclusion from these !
facts would seem to be that since
Turkey has. without the least excuse ,
or provocation, deliberately attacked
the Entente Powers and been defeated,
she has thrown upon the victors the
heavy duty OF determining the destiny
Of the various populations IN her en-
pire. This duty the council Of The prin-
cipal Allied and Associated Powers de-
sire to carry out, ~ far AZ may be in
accordance with the wishes and per-
manent interests Of the population
But the council observes with regret
that the memorandum Introduces in