New-York tribune., 1922-10-13

mercial agreements and the so.called
| capitalation. as we'll as protection OF
| the Christian minorities and the right
Of religious and educational mission
aries to carry on their work. The United
States occupies a predominant position
throughout the Near East in all edu-
cational, humanitarian, missionary and
relief activities, and the security OF
these institutions with their property
Investments of more than $l0,000,000
must be guaranteed.
Perhaps the most important question
before the conference will be that of
capitulations, which are treaties COW
ering the rights Of foreigners in Tur-
key and providing for their government
under the laws Of their own country
instead OF the Turkish law, and trial
by their own consular courts instead of
by Turkish tribunals.
"Our delegates will demand abolition
Of the capitulations," said Hamid Bey,
the Kemal representative, to-day
"They are humiliating and opposed to
the best interests Of our people. For
eigncrs thereby occupy preferential
position and enjoy privileges denied to
the Turks. Why continue system
ticc and finance of the country7 Is
not Turkey now an independent nation,
with the full rights Of an independent
nation 7"
The American government will op-
pose this claim. The American Consul
General, Gabriel B. Ravndal, explained
to-day that the real reason TOR the
capitulations is that the Turks have
not yet separated law and religion in
their courts and government, and as
serted that Christian nations could not
permit their citizens to be ruled under
laws based largely on the religious
doctrines and rites Of Mahommet.
Foreigners said Consul Ravndal,
the general body and mass Of society
OF the nation, as in Europe or America,
but they must under Moslem law con-
tinue strangers and sojourners, not ac-
During any national character under
the general sovereignty Of the country.
How, fer example, can Americans domi-
ciled IN Turkey accept the Turkish law
or questions of personal status, such
az marriage, divorce and succession?
Moreover, In penal matters our
view, which holds the accused inno-
cent until proved guilty, is funda-
mentally different from the Turkish
view, which places the burden of proof
on the party suspected. The real ques-
tion at issue is not one of taxes, for
eign postoffices or customs immunities:
the essential consideration is that for
rigners cannot accept laws governed
by religious doctrines repulsive to
their ideas and freedom Of conscience.
"The only, remedy for Turkey is sep
aration of law and religion and full
recognition in the Turkish national
housekeeping Of the principles of mod
ern international law"
Allied circles unite in giving General
Harrington warmest praise for his skill
full handling of the difficult armistice
negotiations. He had received from
Che British Cabinet permission to en-
ploy the fullest military measures to
bring the belligerents to terms, but
despite strong pressure from his own
officers and continued opportunities
from abroad, he refused to countenance
resort to arms and placed sll his faith
in an appeal to reason.
When the Mudania conference seemed
headed for the rocks, General Harine-
ton addressed to Ismet Pasha, the Ma
tionalist representative, stern warning,