Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-04-24

time to gain such material compen-
sation as they could. The secret
Turkish Italian treaty, signed at
London, in March 1921, was the re-
suit. The terms are fairly we'll
known 1t is a pretty sordid affair.
1t brings back once more the dis
credited old diplomacy which was
responsible for the world war Italy
agrees to withdraw her troops and
not to fight any further against
Turkey Italy's grief at this mishap
was undoubtedly softened by the fact
that her retirement from Asia Minor
would probably result in the eXpul-
sion of the Greeks. The new COOP
Grafton with Turkey for this purpose
was perhaps her greatest gain by
this treaty, but there were also ar
rangements for concessions" for
"exploitations," for joint operation
between Italian and Turkish capital
in developing certain resources of
the Osman empire. The net outcome
was that Italy withdrew her troops
from Adalia, leaving the Christian
minorities to the mercies of the
Turks. and that Renal disposed of
one abstacle TO the realization of his
programme. Italy incidentally left
behind considerable stores of am
munition, at that time a particularly
welcome gift to the Kemalist army.
The Armenian maSsacreS of 1916
1916 constituted the most frightful
crime in the history of the human
race. And the success of Kemal in
forcing Italy and France out of
Anatolia, in overwhelming the
Greeks and capturing Smyrna.-and
this latter feat necessarily involved
the humiliation Of Great Britain
81 lnv W. II l.
duced q state of eXultation in the
Turkish mind. Allah had decreed
the end of Turkish humiliation; the
long awaited hour of retaliation had
arrived. The Turkish army now had
its eyes upon Constantinople. but
Constantinopre, was not it's ultimate
goal. 1T expected to go to Athens
to Sophia. to Belgrade. It's ambi-
ton now was to undo the history of
the last hundred years. win back all
the countries that it had lost. set up
the Crescent again as the dominat-
ing force in Greece. and perhaps in
some Of her other former territories.
What such an attempt would have
meant to Europe and mankind it is
hardly necessary to describe
Against this program there was only
one obstacle. that was Great Brit
ain. =
What then of the future? One
thing at least is clear. The con-
science of mankind should support
Great Britain in its present attempts
to hold the Turk within bounds
Unfortunately Great Britain finds
little support in Europe itself.
The greatest need in modern life
is the introduction of this concep-
ton of decency, justice and moral
responsibility in the dealings be-
tween nations. We have had
enough of secret treaties. land grab
bling. of remorseless seeking of ma
terlal advantage, of using nations as
pawns in a game. of shifting peoples
about in the interest of what is
known as foreign policy" That is
what had brought the world to it's
present pass. and that is what will
produce even greater calamities,
Turkey is the most eloquent monu-
ment | know. to the absence of
ldeallsm in European politics. For
that very reason it presents the
greatest opportunity. / am often
asked what is the solution. To that
| reply that there is no solution I'M
less there is first q change in funda-
mental purpose. SO long as the
european powers regard Turkey as
iielu TOT lne exploitation of their
own selfish purposes. Turkey will
continue to be scene of unending
misery and injustice.
Governor Pcrcival p. Baxter in in
Producing Mr.. Morgcnthau said that no
STUDY is quite so fascinating as that of
history, the stories of the ups and
downs of the people of country, and in
hearing Mr.. Morgcnthau we are knowl-
edged to hear one who has helped make
history: Mr.. M9rgcnthau in discuss
ing the so-callcd Chester concession
said that it was most humiliating that
THIS country should back up the action
OF a citizen of this country in seeking
to obtain concession from the Turks