Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-12
BRISTOL STRENGTHENS
RELATIONS WITH TURKEY
High Commissioner Here to Report on
Conditions in New Republic After
Handling American Affairs.

American automobiles are found now
in large numbers in Turkey, for ex.
ample. They are as common as Eu-
ropean cars there. Tobacco, which
constitutes about one-third of Tur-
keys exports. is sold in large GUAM
titles to the United States.
Turkey today is at peace. She is
not looking for war, though reacy TO
meet ii if forced upon her. Under the
republican form of government the
new Turkey is making strides. The
national assembly. with 2S6 members,
elected by the people, is the legisla-
tive power. The assembly elects the
president of the republic for a term
of four years. The executive power
is lodged in a cabinet responsible to
the assembly. Mustapha Renal is
the strong man" of Turkey. To all
intents and purposes. however. he is
doing his best to promote the republi-
can form of government. If he should
become a dictator-aS he doubtless
could-as Mussolini has done in
Italy. it will probably be because OF
the force of circumstances.
Silent on Politics.
Admiral Bristol. while praising the
advance made by Turkey under its
abstain from any comment upon the
politics and policies of Turkey today.
Nor does he discuss the problem of
the so-called "minorities' in Turkey,
the Greeks, Armenians, Jews and
other groups still in Turkish territory.
From other sources, however, the in.
formation comes that the problem Of
tho minorities is becoming less and
less accute.
The capital of the new Turkish gov
eminent, Angora, lying approximately
800 miles from Constantinople, is in
reality the seat Of government. There
the assembly meets. A city of 35, 900
population. it is gradually growing
and is becoming more modern in APP
pearance. The diplomatic represent
atives OF the powers. however, con-
tinue to make their headquarters in
Ccnstantinople. maintaining repre-.
sentative in Angora. The United
States, for example, has had such an
agent at Angora and he is now we'll
housed. The living conditions have
kept the diplomats in Constantinople,
however, where the facilities are more
nearly those Of a European capital.
At present there is good train service
between Constantinople and Angora.
The old capital, with a population Of
nearly 800 900, is cosmopolitan. 1t is
a meeting place of the nations and Of
races. The total population Of the
Turkey Of today is approximately 49,
$4,000. The fact that Syria, Pales-
tine, Mesopatamia have been Topped
off Turkey has been effective in reduc-
ing the size of the population.
Gives Valuable Service.
Admiral Bristol rendered valuable
service after the Greek debacle in
Smyrna. The American warships
helped materially in the removal of
refugees. Indeed, relief work occa-
stoned through war and the strife
which kept Turkey in a turmoil for
several years following the World
War was one of the most important
duties of the American High Com
missioner.
Americans have maintained col
leges. schools, hospitals and mission
aries in Turkey in considerable mum.
bers. These and American business
interests claimed much Of the atten-
ton OF Admiral Bristol. When,
under the new agreement between the
United States and Turkey, it was de-.
termined to relieve Admiral Bristol
for work elsewhere and to substitute
a regular diplomatic officer of this
Government for him. the Americans
in Turkey were a unit in their ex-
pressions Of appreciation Of the ad-
miraps conduct Of American relations
with Turkey.