The New York herald., 1920-01-22
Briton and Turk
Sign Secret Pact
New Treaty Requires Porte's Aid for
England in Case of Moslem
lnsurrection.
by WILLIAM r. ELLIS.


Turkey and Great Britain have effected
a new secret pact a defensive alliance,
which puts British support behind Tur-
keys case at the peace conference, and
pladges Turkey to go to the help of Great
Britain If the latter is faced by a serious
insurrection of her Moslem subjects.
Such is the latest reported development
of the Near Eastern situation-a story so
fantastic that it could be given neither
currency nor credence were it mere rumor
or surmise Only the responsible source
of the information warrants it's publica-
ton. The details of the alleged agreemen,
are on file in the Foreign Offices Of all the
great Powers.
Nothing is impossible in Turkey today.
Conditions Of international intrigue and
counterplay have reached such state that
even the most sensational and melo-
dramatic measures are accepted as mat
ters of course.
The recent seizure of the papers disclos-
ing a British plot to effect rising Of the
Kurds against the Turkish Natonalists
would be refused admission to the pages
Of credible fiction Yet there was no gain
saying the documents. The British re-
pudiate the officer concerned. Major Noel,
saying that he exceeded his authority.
Amid primitive conditions. the sophisti-
Gated diplomacy Of Europe. playing a
rather desperate game. feels constrained
TO make use Of any instruments wha tso-
ever When the inner history OF the past
fifteen months of Near Eastern politics is
written. If ever, it will read like a novel
by Balzac or Dumas or Anthony Hope.
The extraordinary measures that have
been adopted-none OF them more amazing
than this proposed alliance OF Turk and
Briton-are evidence Of the desperate and
important situation that exists about the
shores of the Mediterranean.
AS the case now stands. the major issue
in the Near East, from the European
standpoint, is the contest between Great
Britain and France for predomnance IN
Turkey. France scored great victory In
Syria by forcing the British out Now
France is rather favorable TO the Turkish
Nationalist movement, whereas the Brit
ish are opposing it,
1t was when the Anti-Nationalist Cab
met was In power. a few weeks ago. that
the reported agreement between the Brit
ish and Turkish governments was effected.
Damad Ferid Pacha, the Anglophile grand
vizier. who has since fallen, was the agent
through whom the pact was perfected.
Whether or not the rise of the new Cab
met, unfriendly in spirit to the British.
and pro-Nationalist. will nullify the bar
gain remains to be seen.
Badly stated. Turkey has something
the British badly need, in addition to ter
ritory. and THAT is influence over the
Moslem world.v because the Sultan is ca
liph Of all Moslems. There are more
Moslems under the rule of King George
than any other monarch. and his govern
ment has always indicated its readiness
to 20 to great lengths TO insure the tran
quillity and good will of these followers Of
.he Prophet.
On the other side Of the bargain Turkey
needs a powerful ally and advocate before
the peace tribunal. Great Britain has
promised, IL Is said. to fill this role. There
by she will not only balk the schemes or
certain rivals. but she will win the good
" i'll Of her Moslem subjects, and carry out
her pledges to them. that st. Sophia would
OF be taken from Islam and that the
Sultan would not be forced out OF Con-
stantinoplc.
The latter condition IL announced as
one Of the stipulations of this amazing
agreement. The head OF Turkey-Con-
stantinople-is not to be severed from the
body, Asia Minor. 'Dismembermen Of out
lying members such as Arabia, Syria and
Mcsopotamia does not seem to disturb the
Constantinople Turks greatly. They are
content with the guarantee that the Otto
ran Empire shall remain seated on the
Bosphorus.
Doubtless this first announcement OF the
Anglo-Turkish agreement will be declared
false by the British officials, after the
historic fashion OF old diplomacy. which
never balks at n lie. IL the facts that I
have summarized in the foregoing para
graphs are not correct, then certain For
eign offices In Europe and observers in
Constantinople. nave peen more griev-
ously misled than is their wont.