Evening star., 1938-07-31

IdtIleT IIldT tne SODfr IaCL OF actual
In single sentence. new Turke,
peace at the most troublesome c<essro
The restless Balkans the tinder
realistic compact of peace among
themselves, and into ploc to resist
the Vaccinations OF the imperial
powers of Europe.
For ages hereditary enemies, Turkey
and Greece now stand together in
amity and cooperation.
Turkey, herself, equipped adequately
for modern defense, has no quarrel
with anybody. although she keeps an
open eye on the expansion purposes
of Germany and Italy. Her difference
with France concerning the rights
of the Turkish residents of the Alex
andretta region has been taken to
the League of Nations, and is being
settled by amicable conference.
Intrigue is Ended.
Intrigue for centuries throve Justify
along the Bosporus. Today it is ended
There is only one mind in the nation
concerning the government and its
ruler, Mustapha Kemal Ataturk
Shorn of the far-flung Ottoman
empire by the war, Turkey has gladly
let the once constituent nations go,
and has given them her blessing. The
nation has no ambitions beyond
Turkish Turkey
AS for the Holy War" with which
sultans used to alright civilization,
that is completely out of the picture
New Turkey is not even Moslem
state. Freedom Of religious worship
prevails; but no ecclesiastic in his
dress OF office is allowed to appear
in public. The mullahs and priests
their place of worship.
Although Turkey is in close and
friendly relations with Russia. Com
munism is not allowed. nor yet any
form of European Fascism
BY the intervention of the League
of Nations and its Nansen Committee,
Turkeys veXa tious problem of her fet-
her. The vast exchange of popu-
lations" was thoroughly carried out,
all Greeks and Armenians being de-
ported from Turkey, and all Turks
from Greece l saw that tragic pro-
cess. which seemed one Of the crimes
of the centuries. although the respon-
sibility rested on the League and not
on Turkey.
Turks Have Patriotic Passion.
Now-"Ma-ash Allah"--the effect is
to be seen as only good. The virile
Greeks from Anatolia have revitalized
Greece, and the Turks have come to
a patriotic passion for Turkish identity
and purely Turkish national life Both
nations have benefited from the
change Even the Armenians are
working out their destiny as the Ar
menian Republic, under the shadow of
Mount Ararat, as member of the
Soviet Union. Most of the Armenians
of the world are now there.
Astounding as are these vast
changes, all wrought since the war,
they pale before the transformation
of the national life as it is revealed
to any traveller who knew the old
Turkey When l first covered interior
Turkey, it was In horse drawn ARABIA,
with military guard. Now one races
across the country in sleeping car. I
as comfortably as through Europe.
While in the rural parts. the his
toric peasant dress may be seen. but
never with fez or turban or veil. in
the towns and cities men and women
wear Western dress. as naturally as if
their grandfathers had set them the
example Indeed, gathering of
Turkish professional or business groups
has nothing to distinguish it from a
similar meeting in Paris or Berlin.
Everybody in Turkey now has
new name, to make identification easy
throughout the coming generations.
The President is Ataturk, or father
of the Turks" And the people write
and read in Roman letters Arabic
and Persian words have been dropped
from Turkish speech. Illiteracy has
diminished tremendously. Newspapers
of high quality abound.
Women Sit in Parliament.
Polygamy has been abolished; wom-
en- vote and sit in Parliament, and
the modern Turkish young woman is
a marvel of alert efficiency and charm
She attends tea dances with her hus-
band or friend, and is efficient in
business Offices.
1t used to be said that Turks could
not do business; but they are doing
it today with skill and suavity. The
most courteous and efficient travel
agency 1 encountered in more than
four months of travel was the Natta
office Of the official Turkish Tourist
Agency in Istanbul traveller en-
counters more politeness here than in
America.
Before and during the war / was
a severe critic of Turkey and the
Turks; now I find them a nation in
the van of the march toward peace
and progress. Once was elected from
St Sophia for examining too closely
the traces Of the ancient Christian
mosaics in the walls. Now the courte-
Gus and erudite director of arts con-
Quoted me over the famous building
how called museum. and neither a
mosque nor church-pointing out
the ancient glories which had been
uncovered or restored for all the
worlds enjoyment.
Like other travellers amid the classi-
cal ruins which abound in the old
Ottoman Ernnire recopted ~. ,,~;