Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-12-27
Letters to The Star
Turkish Spokesman Tells How
Provinces CHANGED Hands

To the Editor Of The Star:
Recent claims on Turkish territory
oblige me to attempt to throw some
light on pertinent facts which I be-
lieve the American public are entitled
to know.
do not feel it necessary to dwell
on the more recent claim by Georgian
Intellectuals" on long strip of Turkish
territory on the Black Sea coast, as
this seems too far-fetched and lacks
official confirmation.
Turkey is accused of having annexed
the provinces of Kars and Ardahan in
the years following World War I. The
facts are as follows:
These provinces of Kars and Arabian,
predominantly inhabited by the Turks
(non-Turks constitute only IN per cent
of the population were Turkish
throughout the centuries. The way they
were turned over to Russian temporary
occupation happened as follows:
Turkey lost the war of 1877 with
Russia. The Berlin treaty of 1878
stipulated a huge war indemnity to
be paid by the Turks. Unable to pay
this, the provinces of Kars and Arabian
were turned over to the Cars as COL
lateral for period of time; at the
expiration of which the provinces were
to be returned to Turkey. At that time,
the oil-exporting port of Batum was
also included within the boundaries of
the said provinces.
BY the treaty of Brest-Litovsk of
1918, which the Russians signed, both
provinces, including the city of Batum,
were returned to Turkey. 1t would look
as though this alone would exclude the
theory of annexation by Turkey But
the story does not end there. Between
the years 1918 and 1920, sweeping
changes in both Russia aRd Turkey
resulted in the overthrow of the exist
Ing regimes. The Russians got rid of
the Cars and the Turks decided to
chase the Sultans out, as soon as they
would score victory in their war of
independence.
The new spirit and the new future
outlook enabled both Turkey and Russia
to brush aside old grievances. They sat
down to discuss whether or not, as
nelghbors, they could live in peace. The
Russo-Turkish friendship and nonag-
erosion pact of 1920 was the direct
outcome of that spirit. This simple
four-article treaty, drawn up to regulate
future relations between Russia and
Turkey, abolished-as detrimental to
the interests of both nations-all former
treaties, agreements and understand
ings signed by the Czarist and Ottoman
governments. And thus, the Turkish
provinces Of Kars and Arabian, turned
over to the Czarist regime as pawn.
were returned to Turkey by the Turko-
Russian treaty of 1920, signed and
sealed by the Soviets and the Turks.
While especial significance should be
attached to the Soviet gesture in 1920
In putting as little difficulty as possible
into the negotiations, the fact must not
be overlooked that the Turks did not
hesitate to return Batum to their
neighbor, whose need for an oil-export-
ing seaport was considered vital.
1 hope this short history of the
present bone of contention and head
line material will serve to dispel the
Cloud of mystery surrounding the efforts
OF those whose aim, even under the,
shadow Of the agonizing catastrophe of
World War II, seems still to be bent
on fishing in troubled waters.
One last word Headline display of
Turks Threatening. War With Russia
aside, Turkish policy which has been
so clearly restated will always remain
the same: World Peace.
If everything else fails, and we are
obliged to defend our homes, we will be
within our legitimate rights.
NUzHET BABA,
Press Attache to the Turkish Embassy.