Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-12
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

ccmDlete information regarding TuT-
key. He is here, too, to prepare to
take over command Of the Asiatic
squadron. with headquarters in China.
Admiral Bristol has done a good
fob in Turkey. A remarkable job in
many respects. During the World
War the United States broke off diplo-
matte relations with Turkey, but
never declared war on that country.
When the war ended. this country
had no diplomatic relations with Tur-
key. Admiral Bristol was ordered to
Turkish waters in command Of the
American naval forces there. Affairs
were IN a chaotic condition. Many
Americans and much American prop
erty required protection and the
knowledge that the United States
Government was behind them. In
addition to his duties as naval COM
mander, Admiral Bristol was placed
in charge Of handling matters for
the State Department and given the
title of American High Commissioner.
In his dual capacity, the American
High Commissioner was called upon
to meet many situations and to ham
die delicate and important business.
The present friendly relations between
the United States and Turkey are in
themselves a tribute to his success.
Dealt with Three Regimes.
At one time during his service in
Turkey Admiral Bristol was dealing
with three distinct governmental con-
trolls in Turkish territory, the old
government headed by the Sultan, the
Nationalist government in Angora,
headed by Mustapha kemal, the pres
ent president of the Turkish repub-
lie, and Interallied Commission, which
controlled Constantinople and zone
along the straits of the Bosphorus.
Those who observed the American
High Commissioners course in Turkey
are loud in his praise. They attribute
his success to the fact that he played
no favorites and had only one end in
view, to care for Americans and their
Interests in Turkey. He was pro-
American and not pro-any one else.
At the close of the World War.
Turkey was flat on its back" Huge
slices of territory which had been
under Turkish control were taken
away. But Turkey rallied under the
leadership of Mustapha Renal, the
nationalist leader, who had set up a
IS new government in Angora. 900 miles
away from Constantinople, the old seat
of the Ottoman Empire. In the short
space of three years, Turkey was
again making herself felt effectually
the conference at Lausanne. where
the nations of Europe came to terms
with Turkey--terfns which were much
in the interest of the latter. Turkey
became & republic, and was recog-
nized by the powers. At the same
time, the United States Government,
through John c. Grew, the newly ap-
pointed American Ambassador, negoti-
Z ated treaty with Turkey.
Treaty Defeated Here.
This treaty, brought back to the
United States, was under fire at once
from certain religious organizations
which held that ample protection was
not afforded the racial and religious
minorities in Turkish territory. The
treaty slept for months and years In
the Senate foreign relations commit
tee. During the last Congress, it was
taken out, busted off, and serious ef-
forts made to have it ratified by the
Senate. Finally it came to a vote
during the session which closed in
March and was defeated.
The failure of the treaty gave Ad-
miral Bristol something else to think
about. It created bad impression in
Turkey Through his efforts new
arrangement was entered into by which
the United States and Turkey were to
enter again INTO ulplOIfldIiG iSidNlOHS'
This arrangement was based not on
treaty regulations, but on international
law as 1t relates to rights and duties
of nations toward one another. 1t
recognized these rights and duties and
pledged the two nations to plat
form of reciprocity. Americans in
Turkey have declared that it saved
the situation and have praised Ad-
n1iral Bristol highly for its adoption.
Die II nfrrl1f nI4-
of service in Turkey, is bound
for the Far East, where his experience
in handling diplomatic matters in the
Ottoman Empire. doubtless. will stand
him in good stead, in view OF the
situation in China. The selection OF
Mr.. Grew to carry on in Turkey is
regarded as particularly satisfactory
because of his knowledge of Turkish
affairs gained in part while he was
the chief negotiator for the United
States at Lausanne.
New Agreement Likely.
That the United States and Turkey
will remain indefinitely without dis
tinct treaty relations is scarcely be-
lieVable. While no such announce
ment comes from the State Depart
ment it is fully expected that in the
not distant future negotiation OF a
treaty which may be ratified by both
nations will be undertaken.
During Admiral Bristol's service as
American High Commissioner the
situation and conditions in Turkey
have changed materially. The old
Ottoman Empire is gone. Turkey. in
amaller and more compact form, has
become a republic. Many steps which
will be called progressive in the West
have been taken. in addition to the
establishment of a republican form OF
government.
Church and state have been sepa.
rated The women have removed the
veil and the men have quit wearing
the fez. Schools and education have
been developed as never before. AL
though Turkey is not wealthy. indeed
has been poor, since the close Of the
war, public works, railroads and i'm
proved highways have been con
structed. Turkey has been primarily
an agricultural country although il
has many natural and mineral re
sources which still, to a large extent
await development. Gradually these
resources are being tapped. More
than third Of the planted land is in
wheat Other cereals and tobacco
and cotton occupy much of the cult
waited area. Coal has been mined fol
quarter of a century by foreign
concerns in one section of Turkey
and copper, lead and other metals
have been taken from the ground.
Education Compulsory.
Elementary education in Turkey il
compulsory for children from to 16
This is nominal TO some extent AM
necessarily will be so until the cOun
try is more completely equipped witt
secular state schools. A new lega
code has been written which make
civil marriage alone legal and abo
ishes poly2amy.
The commerce OF Turkey has il
creased rapidly in recent years. Tn
United States trade, both import an