Omaha daily bee., 1920-03-02
Get Rid of the Turk
From the New York Times.

The outburst of resentment in Britain over
the decision to leave the Turks in Constinople
| is fine thing and in accord with fine tradi-
ton. Like most other nations, the British have
| generally pusured foreign policy dictated py
their idea of interests; but now and then interest,"
| has been pushed aside to make way tor enforce
| ment of some fundamental demand for interna-
tional decency. In this case Mr. Lloyd George
seems to have been somewhat surprised to hna
| that his countrymen had conscience; and
| whole no doubt envying his colleague, MI
Millehand who has heard no objection to a plan
which may protect French investors, ne feels 1t
| necessary to make some excuse
Now we hear that Mr.. Lloyd George consid-
ers himself bound by his pledge made in the
speech of January S, 1918 to the labor delegates:
This famous address set forth a schedule OF
peace terms almost exactly parallel to that an
IA points. But the Turkish question is precisely
the one on which Mr.. Lloyd George and MI
Wilson differed Both wanted the strait inter-
nationalized, but while Mr. Wilson contented
himself with saying that 'the Turkish portions
of the present Ottoman empire should be as
said: "We do not challenge the maintenance
of the Turkish empire in the homelands OF the
Turkish race, with its capital at Constanhnople.
Why the difference in two programs which
were evidently intended to be identical! The
most plausible Interpretation is that Mr. Lloyd
George really thought that Constantinople was
he had never heard of the Byzantine empire or
of Mohammed II. A question of the highest
moral and material Importance to the whole
world should not be determined by the distaste
of schoolboy for application to text books
of history 40 years ago. Besides, Mr.. Lloyd
George surely does, not pretend that he should
keep all the promises he ever made to any
body, even assuming that British labor cares
about the Turk one way or another. He would
have done better to admit frankly that the
French had talked him into it.
But damage has been done. His colleague,
Mr. Montagu of the Indian Office has lost no
time. Leaving Mr.. Lloyd George to act as rear
guard against the protests of the British con.
science, he has hastily had it announced
throughout all Indian that the British govern
ment has yielded to the wishes of Indian Mos
lems Mr.. Montagu doubtless knows whether
this is the best way to maintain respect for the
imperial authority, as he is doubtless competent
to determine when it is wise to announce as
irrevocable the decisions, of supreme council
which every day reverses yesterdays settle,
ments. Perhaps, indeed, he wanted to forestall
a reversal.
The good news has been told in Constantine
pie, too, where the Turks naturally jubilant:
The nationalist party, which appears to control
whatever force there is in the Turkish state,
except Syria and Mesopotamia, and will hear
of no foreign interference in Turkish internal
affairs The Turks undoubtedly think that the
council has made solepn promise, and that
body will have to choose between ncurring the
deserved reproach of bad faith and affronting
the moral sense of its own peoples. Moreover,
it is exceedingly probable that an attempt to
put the Turke out after this promise will result
in violence; and while the allied feet in the Bos-
porus ought to be able to prevent the worst re-
suits, it is to be feared that much blood will be
shed before the Turks are put out
This, however, does not mean that they can
not and should not be put out. America has
been unwilling to help the Armenians; we give
them much sympathy, little money, but no
more. The senate would apparently have us
wash our hands of Europe, but it is under
stood that President Wilson expects to be con-
suited in the Turkish settlement. This is not a
question of party. All Americans who care
anything for decency in international relations
as we'll as all who realize the danger of leaving
the Turk in Europe should unite in protest
against this decision They should insist that
our government have its say in the Turkish set
tlement, and that it's influence should be used
to the full to put the Turks out and keep them
out. The protests of Mr.. Morgenthau and Mr.
Gerard should be echoed by all who see in the
protest of the British public sign of the re-
awakening of an International conscience which
had gone to sleep during the debate on the
treaty.