The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-07-28
Lloyd George
Lauds Turks
Continued From Page II

1 could name. This is what he wrote
few days ago:
The records Of the conference
present an even more marvellous
series OF concessions ard surren-
ders What was frayed before
is threadbare now. The Allies
have whitfield away their own
rights with a lavish hand in the
cause Of peace. The figure that
the European delegates are cut
ing in Lausanne and the agents
of the concessionaires in Angora
all alike representatives Of the
West-has been rendered undig-
niaed as much by the manner as
by the matter Of their worst
ing"
Since those distressing words were
written the powers have sunk yet
deeper into the slough of humiliation.
Turk No Longer Trusted
In order to gauge the extent Of the
disaster to civilization which this
treaty implies, it is only necessary
TO give a short summary of the war
aims Of the allies in Turkey. The ex-
perience more especially OF the past
century had demonstrated clearly the
Turk could be no longer entrusted
with the property. honor or lives of
any Christian race within his do
minions.
So series Of agreements were
entered into in the early months OF
1915 between France, Russia and our
selves by which the greater part of
Turkey, with its conglomerate popula-
ton, was 10 be partitioned at the end
Of the war
Cilicia and Syria. were allocated to
France. Mesopotamia to Britain and
Armenia and Constantinople to
Russia Palestine was to be placed
under the joint control OF Britain
and France. Arabia was to he de-
clared Independent and territory
carved largely out Of a desert-but
including some famous cities Of the
East, Damascus, HONS and Aleppo-
was to be constituted into new Arab
state partly under the protection Of
France and partly of Britain.
Smyrna and It's precincts were to
forces with those of the allies in the
war. The Straits were to be demihtar-
lied and garrisoned.
When Italy came into the war later
on il was stipulated in event of the
partition Of Turkey being carried
out in the pursuance of these agree.
ments. territories in Southern Ana
tolia should be assigned to Italy for
development. In the main the dis
tributed regions were before the war
being cultivated and developed by a
population which was western and
not Turanian in it's origin and outlook.
This population represented the orig
inal inhabitants of the soil.
Treaty Modifles Policy
have set out shortly what the war
rolisy Of the allies was in reference
to Turkey The Treaty of Sevres con-
siderably modified that policy in many
vital aspects.
Blu that treaty Constantinople. CT
licia and Southern Anatolia were left
TO the Turk. Armenia was created in
TO an independent state. There We're
many objections which could be raised
to the original proposals Of 1915 as it
might be argued they contemplated
handing over in Cilicia and Southern
Anatolia populations which in the
main were Turkish and Moslem to
Christian rule.
But in substance the modified plan
Of Sevres was sound. and, If carried
out. would save conduced to the
well-being Of millions to be liberated
by it's terms forever from Turkish
rule.
I have explained the why and the
wherefore of Sevres. But why Lau-
sanne2 1t is a long story. A com
pound of shortsightedness, disloyalty,
selfishness and pusillanimity amongst
nations and their statesmen. And
more than all. fate happened to be
in its grimmest mood when dealing
with this problem. The Russian rev.
clution eliminated eAat great country
from a solution of the problem on
lines of protection for the oppressed
races Of Turkey, and cast its might
on the side of the oppressor.
President Wilson YVES inclined to
recommend the United States should
undertake a mandate for the NArrnen-
ians. Had he succeeded what a diff
ferent story many years to come
would also tell. His health broke
down and America would have none
Of his humanitarian schemes.
Sonnino Leaves Quirinal
Then came the departure of Son.
nino from the Quirinal. with him