Evening star., 1925-02-05
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL y. COLLINS.

the Greeks who might fill the ranks
of a Grecian army.
Nevertheless, in the great inter
change of populations, Greece has re-
ceived 100000 of her nationals from
turkey IN exchange of 300, 600 Turks.
Ot this net increase of Greek popuIa-
ton, amounting to 100, 900, 80 per
cent We're women and children or
men beyond the age of activity. This
mas put a great burden upon Greece,
20 locate her immigrants where they
could be self-sustaining. Today she
has burden of 800, 900 INDICATED and
dependent immigrants.
when Turk living in Greece was
sent back to Turkey, the plan was
that MS real property which he had
10 leave in Greece should be an
praised by the mixed commission
and certificates of its value be given
MIN, which certificates would be ac-
cepted in Turkey by the commits
sion in exchange for property aban-
doned similarly by a Greek expelled
from Turkey. Theoretically, thar
solved the problem of property, but.
prdctlcaIIy' squatter rights prevailed
in both countries, and graft and
fraud persisted everywhere, followed
by destitution.
x X X X
summing up the flow of popula-
tions, 1t is reported that, while before
the World War Turkey had a popula
tlon or 100000 and now, partly by
reaIignment of boundaries and partly
by emigration and deaths exceeding
births, she has a population of only
e'ooo'OO0, Through race suicide ana
insanltation her population is rapidlv
decreasing, and within five wears If
is estimated, she will not exceed
100000.
In the meanwhile Greece has re-
celved an increase, though largely OF
women and children. Her death
losses among the refugees. exceed
those in Turkey, because of the greater
influx of refugees, and particularly
because so many were old or feeble
through suffering; but Greece has q
net increase since the war OF at least
a million, and when Turkey stands
with 100000 population Greece will
have 6,500,0o0.
OF still greater significance is the
character of the peoples exchanged
Turkey has lost, according to Greek
authority, nearly all skilled rug
makers, so that the rug industry is
transferred to Greece.
The official publication of the Unit
ed States Department of Commerce..
entitled Commerce Reports, dated
October 27, 1924, states that the nor.
NAL pre-war tobacco crop In the
Turkish districts, which was mora
than 10000 short tons, has been tenn
porarily reduced as a result Of the
exodus of the Greeks and Armenians.
Smyrna industries are feeling
the lack of experts. The fig and
raisin industries have suffered to a
considerable extent, owing to the
fact that the former Greeks and Ar
menians were employed both in gath
ering the fruit and preparing It for
export. Turkish trade during
the last two years has shown q seri-
GUS decline. The general ef-
feet of the departure of the Greeks
and Armenians from Turkey has
been serious blow, lessening the
money in circulation and depriving
the country of two much needed ele~
ments, namely. efficient labor and in-
dustrial managers. The immediate
effect upon Greece has been to In
crease it's already serious financial
difficulties, but this should be offset
in the future by the de Dpment Of
various Industries"
In the issue of Commerce Reports
October 26, is a report from the Unit
ed States acting attache at Athens:
General business In Greece has gones
on as usual, practically undisturbeG
by the political situation. Tha
cost of living has somewhat de-
creased"
kspyaxhs. 1875. bs Psaix 0NnanM -