Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-11
MOSUL TREATY VICTORY
FOR BRITISH DIPLOMACY
Gives Country All It Sought Without
Expense Of War, While Russia and
Italy are Chief Losers.

fact that Anglo-French relations are
now friendly and there was no French
support of the Turks. But even more
useful was the situation with regard
to Italy. Tho Italians had bean prom
ised much OF the Aegean coast OF
Turkey in the secret treaties OF the
war time. Britain had pushed Greece
into Smyrna to forestali the Italians,
despite the promises OF the secret
treaties. Italy had landed at the Gulf
OF Adalia, but had Withdrawn rather
than risk war after the Greek de-
feat.
Now Italy was turning to Asia
Minor as the single field for great CO.
ionial expansion and all italian COM
ment seemed to Indicate that Italy
was intending to establish herself in
the regions which Greece had taken
and lost There were conferences be-
tween Italian and British statesmen
and after Austen Chamberlain had
been in Rome last Winter Europe be-
lieyed that Mussolini had obtained a
British consent for his colonial ex-
pertinent in Asia. In effect, while the
Turks were threatening to attack the
Irak and seize Mosul Britain was en-
couragtng Italy to undertake q cam
paign of conquest on the Aegean
coast of Turkey. Again, Greece and
Italy came to an agreement which
seemed to forecast that Greece would
seek to regain her lost prestige by
new war with Turkey in alliance with
Italy.
To balance all this, the Turks made
a treaty with the Soyiets which for a
moment took Europe aback. but when
the terms were published it turned
out that prudent Moscow had done
~ 10.
traiity and Turkey was left to lace
the possibility of fighting Britain,
Italy and Greece, If she carried out
her threats as to Mosul. IN this situa-
ton the policy Of wisdom was obvious;
the single question was whether the
Turks would be wise.
Showed Good Sense.
The treaty recently signed is
demonstration of ultimate good sense
on the part Of the Turks. True they
lose Mosul outright, save for a small
frontier rectification, but this was
actually lost In the World War and
has not been in Turkish hands since.
But in return they are assured 10
per cent OF the taxes paid by the oil
concessions, a considerable British
loan and some form Of British guar
u g
This last circumstance is exceed
ingIy interesting, because on the sur
face 1t would seem that Britain, hav-
ing encouraged Italy and Greece to
consider new occupation OF Turkish
territory, has now guaranteed Turkey
against this contingency, which Is
striking example Of the diplomatic
equivalent of playing both ends
against the middle. Just how the
Italians and Greeks win welcome the
solution is at least open to question,
vet it is hard to see what either can
do about It.
Turkey now definitely enters upon
the way OF peace and reconstruction.
She was In no condition to make q
new war after the exhaustion follow
ing almost continuous fighting from
1912 to 1928. A great portion OF her
territory was devastated by the
Greek invasion, during which Smyrna
was burned. Even more serious was
the expulsion of the Greek popula-
lions OF Asia Minor. which resulted in.
the forcible removal Of nearly 1,500.-
900 of the most useful and progress
sive inhabitants.
Working for New State.
AS a result Of the expulsion. all
Greece, after the first crisis, has alb
sorbed this vast population and
Athens and the Piraeus have re.
placed Constantinople as the port at
the Near East. 1t is q matter of very
great doubt as to whether the Turk
has within himself the capacity for
organizing a modern state, but at
least he is now to have the chance.
After all, however, the Turkish
phase OF the question is minor. The
really important fact is that the whole
Near and Far East have been III
eruption ever since the World War.
The Turkish victory over the Greeks,
who were fighting under British
guidance, was accepted ASA defeat
for Britain and the Wost generally.
From China to Morocco. European
prestige was shaken and the results
have been disclosed, notably in Syria.
Egypt and Morocco just how much
further this general movement OF re.
volt against the West might have
gone had there been an Anglo-Turktsh
war over Mosul is hard to say, but
the whole region was powder mine.
Now Britain gets Mosul, France
has at about the same time and m
company with Spain settled the
Moroccan affair, her hands are now
free to deal with Syria and the out
come there cannot be long in doubt.
Unrest remains in Egypt and the re-
cent election has caused Britain
anxiety. But here, again. the Mosul
settlement will prove advantageous
to British prestige. Moreover, Britain
in the Irak and France in Syria must
work together as they have recently.
Most Of the trouble both have had in
the Near East has been due to rival
ries elsewhere.
General War Feared.
For several years all Europe has
been very grayely considering the
possibilities Of a general uprising Of
the subject races Of Asia md North
Africa. The war certainly lowered
European prestige from Picking to
Tangfer. The Turkish problem was
most acute. because the Turks could
fight and were so situated that It
would be excessively difficult TO in
jure them while they could create a
great deal Of trouble in the Mesopo-
tamian region and in Syria as we'll
Moreover. this war might easily take
on religious character and arouse
the whole OF Islam.
1t would be an exaggeiation to say
that the danger has been completely
abolished or that the Near East Is
likely to be entirely peaceful In the
near future. But Turkey has mani.
testify decided to undertake recon-
struction within It's own frontiers
rather than to risk new adventures.
And the possibility Of a Turkish at
tack baked BY Soviet Russia has also
been removed. Seeking q British
loan. which Is now promised. Turkey
Ii likely to pass once more Into the
British Nzbit and to listen more and
more 10 British advice.
Once the Mos,il question IL adj
iueted. Britain has every reason to
fayor Turkish integrity and 10 OPP
nose any seizure Of Turkish terri.
tories either ~ Italy or Greece.
France ID Iii precisely the same stu
afion. Both Britain and France IN