Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-12
Want Peace Tempered With
Mercy, According to Inter-
view Granted Associated
Press by Sultan.
ASSERTS TURKEY MUST
BE LEFT INDEPENDENT
Believes U. S. Senate "WiII Be
Wise Towards Us"-Thinks
1t Unfair Only Others Profit
BY Pledges of Wilson.

Constantinople, Dec. 11.-(By The
Associated Press.)-The Sultan of
Turkey. Mohammed vi, today re-
ceived The Associated Press corre-
spondent and discussed the Turkish
situation and the part Turkey is
taking in the settlement of the
world peace.
"He began speaking in Turkish
to an interpreter, his aide, Lieuten-
ant Commander Fahri:
Turkish peace is desired quickly"
he said, because delay is worse than
war. 1t interferes with our political
conditions and also our finances.
The uncertainty tries. the morale of
the people who have been long at
war. and likewise involves misery
and sickness.
"As for the kind of peace we de-
sire-it is one that will Keep the
east tranquil in which the powers of
Europe are concerned. Eastern
peace can be maintained only if
Turkey is left independent. Who
ever knows the east will agree with
the opinion. The Islamic world will
be satisfied only with Our freedom
Rely on American People.
Regarding the American senate,
believe it will be wise owards u.s.
1t is clearly unfair that other ma
tionalities should profit by President
Wilson's pledges, and not we.
President Wilson's principles were
appointed by the allied powers. We
also rely on their sense of Justice
and that Of the American people
whose honor is involved.
Surely America will not disap-
point the millions of Turks and the
Islanic world.
Those who investigated impair
tally the Turkish question have
discovered that, despite bad govern
ment, our people have many merits
and deserve better treatment than
it is reported they are to receive.
Those Americans who do not believe
the slander about US and who un-
derstand our difficulties will not
countenance this treatment of the
Turks.
Solve Problems With Peace.
with peace we will begin solv-
ing internal Turkish affairs. 1t is
first necessary to preserve the ira
dition of the people and it is my
desire to secure the civilizing help
of the great powers.
II believe sincerely in the new
Turkey. in her regeneration and her
social progress if we are able to
secure the general education of our
people and also the modern means
of prosperity. The Turks are an
honest, gifted people and I shall en-
deavor with all my ability to attain
these ends.
Emancipation of Women.
Turkey, reconstructed, will be
the center of the casts peace and
progress. 1t is my unwavering de-
termination to reach this result One
big field is the emancipation of Turk
:sh women. I believe it is through
religion that we can best accomplish
this, giving them the status of their
American sisters, preserving their
honor and probity and assuring their
welfare as family builders.
1T will be seen that our religion
is not against social progress. 1t is
with satisfaction that we observe
America adopting prohibition, which
has been practiced among the faith
full MusseMlans for centuries. The
tenets OF religion are always helpful
when obeyed.
GAS a last word, | wish to express
my gratitude to those Americans
who, after visiting us. feel that we
are not as bad as we are painted,
and also my reliance on the business
Of Americans"
Impression Of Dignity.
The sultan conveyed an impression
of dignity. He seemed a reserved,
but worn out old man. whose way
had been full of pitfalls, with a |
cropping in political darkness. So, !
when he shook hands with hard
grip, it gave one ga1vanic shock. 1t |
made one more ready to believe that |
the sultan had been able to assert
his will against the old administra-
tive officials who sought to control |
him before the armistice and also |
after the armistice.
The sultan wore the uniform of
a blue-gray overcoat with |
gold epaulets, a brown astrakhan |
cap, gray trousers with red stripes. |
He, is brown-eyed and a typical
typical Turk. The features of his pale
brown skin give him the appearance
Of physical weakness and his glasses |
a professional look. |
When the doors closed his retinue
waited without. He seated himself |
in business-like manner and drew |
from his pocket the notes of answers
he had written to questions previous
ly submitted, !