The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-27

massacres whose calculated atrocity
equals or exceeds anything In recorded
history.
But II 10 argued that these crimes
were committed by a 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 Christians, that they
were entirely out of harmony with the
Turkish tradition as historically ex-
hibited In the treatment by Turkey OF
subject races. that the maintenance OF
the Turkish Empire Is necessary for the
religious equilibrium OF the world, 80
that policy, not less than justice, re-
Quires that its territories should be re-
stored undiminished. as they existed
when the war broke out.
The council can neither accept this
conclusion nor the arguments by which
II IL supported. It does not. indeed,
doubt that the present Government OF
Turkey profoundly disapproves OF the
II considerations of morality did not
weigh with it-as doubtless they did
consideration OF expediency would be
conclusive. As individuals, It's members
have every motive, as well as every
right, to repudiate the actions which
have proved so disastrous to their coun-
try.
Cannot Claim Relief.
"But. speaking generally a nation
must be judged by the Government
which rules IT,, which directs It's foreign
policy, which controls its armies. Nor
can Turkey claim any relief from the
legitimate consequences OF this doctrine
Nat@ ~ anat
critical moment in her history, had fallen
into the hands Of men. who utterly de-
void Of the principle Of pity, could not
even command success.
1T seems. however. that the claim for
complete territorial restoration put for
ward In the memorandum is not based
really on the plea that Turkey should
rot be required to suffer for the sins
of her Ministers. 1t has a deeper
ground. 1t appeals TO the history of
Turkish rule in the past and to the con-
ditions OF affairs in the Moslem world.
Now. the council Is anxious not to
enter into unnecessary CONTROVERSY or
to tnfiict needless pain on your Ex-
.celiency and the delegates who accom-
pany you. It wishes we'll to the Turkish
people and admires their excellent quail
ties. But 1t cannot admit that among
those qualities are to be counted capac-
ity to rule over alien races. The ex-
pertinent has been tried too long and
too often for there to be the least doubt
as to its result.
History tells us of many Turkish sue
cesses and OF many Turkish defeats-of
nations conquered and nations freed.
THE memorandum itself refers to the
reductions that have taken place In the
territories recently under Ottoman sover-
t.. -t-a NNa~
is no case to be found, either In Europe,
or Asia. or Africa. in which the estab-
liehment of Turkish rule In any country
has not been followed by a diminution
Of material prosperity and a fall in
the level Of culture. Nor Is there any
case to be found in which the with
drawal OF Turkish rule has not been fol-
lowed by a growth in material pros
perity and a rise In the level of culture.
Rule One of Destruction.
Neither among the Christians OF
Europe, nor among the Moslems OF
Syria, Arabia and Africa has the Turk
done other than destroy. wherever he
has conquered. Never has he shown
himself able to develop in peace what
he has won by war. Not In this direc-
ton do his talents lie.
The obvious conclusion from these
facts would seem to be thats since Tur-
key 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 heterogeneous
empire. This duty the council of the
principal allied and associated Powers
desire to carry out as far as may be
in accordance with the wishes and per-
manent interests OF the populations
themselves.
But the council observes with regret
that the memorandum introduces in this
connection a wholly different order OF
consideration based on opposed religious
rivalriee The Turkish Empire is II
seems to be preserved unchanged. not so
much because this would be to the ad-
vantage OF the Moslems or OF the Chris
tians within its borders, but because ite
maintenance 10 demanded by the re-
Iigious sentiment of men who never felt
the Turkish yoke or have forgotten how
heavily it weighs on those who are COM
PEELED to bear It.
But surely there never was a senti-
ment less justified by facts. The whole
course OF the war exposes its hollowness
What religious issue is raised by a
struggle in which Protestant Germany
Roman Catholic Austria, Orthodox
| Bulgaria and Moslem Turkey banded
themselves together to plumber theii
neighbors?
THE only SAVIOR OF deliberate fanatic
ism perceptible in these transactions wa.
the massacre OF Christian Armenians by
order of the Turkish Government Blu
your excellency has pointed out that. a
the very same time and by the very sam,
authority. unoffending Moslems were be
ing slaughtered, in circumstances SUN
GENTLY horrible and in numbers sum
GENTLY large, TO mitigate, II not who'll,
to remove. any suspicion OF religious
Partially.
Allies Respect Religion.
During the war. then. there was lit
tie evidence of sectarian animosity oil
the part Of any OF the Governments ant
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