The Union County journal. [volume] (Marysville, Ohio) 1875-1951, 1950-12-04
Gokcora. Turkish Envoy. Writes
OF History, Conditions in Homeland

There are, today, three parties
represented in the Grand Nation
al Assembly, of which the Demo-
cratic Party has majority. The
other two are the Republican
Peoples Party and the Nation
Party.
Social Reforms
The first president of the Turk
ish Republic was Mustafa Kemal
Ataturk. It was under Ataturk's
presidency that church and state
were separated, the Caliphate
abolished, and the old script was
replaced by the modern Turkish
alphabet based on Latin letters.
Men abandoned their fez and
women no longer hid their faces
behind wells. Up to the time of
his death in 1888, Atatmk's lead
ership enabled the republic to
make great forward strides po-
litically economically and social
ly, so that today, Turkey has be-
come a modern state, dedicated
to the principles of peace and de-
mocracy. Today, Turkish women
are physicians, judges, teachers,
civil servants, secretaries, execu-
tives, and members of parliament,
as well as wives and mothers.
Education
Schools are co-educational. Pri-
mary education is compulsory.
Secondary education is divided
into two stages, comparable to
that given in the high schools and
junior colleges of the United
States. High education is made
available at the two great state
supported Universities at Ankara
and Istanbul. In addition to these
universities there are teachers,
colleges and pedagogic institutes,
school of fine arts and political
science.
National Resources and Industries
Turkey is predominatly agri-
cultural. Wheat ranks first among
the small grains, and corn and
rice. The principle export crops
are tobacco, figs, raisins, filberts,
opium, oil seeds, silk, cotton and
altar of roses.
Having various types of eli
mate, Turkey raises all kinds of
vegetables and fruits. Livestock
raising is one outstanding occu-
patton. Cattle, sheep, goats, CAN
kara Coats and horses r main
animals. Both they and their pro-
ducts (mohair, hides, honey, etc.
are exported.
"Most items were condensed
from the booklets of Turkish In
formation Office, New York
City.
Experiment stations, "Village
institutes" and agricultural
schools play a leading role in the
education of the village youth, as
we'll as the adults. There is agri-
cultural co-ops in several dis
tricts.
Turkey has wooden and cotton
mills turning out cloth of good
quality and garment industry is
developing, Silk specialities +
also important. Sugar plants
Sugar beets) paper and cement
plants are located on the railroad
passages. A iron and modern steel
works at Karabuk, build on the
eve of World War II. Additional
plants and hydroelectric centers
are contemplated for the near flu
ture.
Turkey has mineral resources
The most abundant item is coal.
Second to coal is copper, mined
on a large scale. Next in import
ance is iron, chromium, mangan-
csc, emery, mercury, sulphur and
the like. Rather recent r the
oil fields discovered in the south
east.
The discovery of petroleum in
the southwest, and the hydroelec-
trio potential of Turkeys noun
famous regions should 60 far to
meet the country's needs for gaSo-
line, oil, and electricy when fully
developed.
Transportation and
Communication
Railways, sea routes and high
ways maintain freight and pas
senger service. The airWay adj
ministration operates a network
of primary and secondary lines
connecting the principal centers
of population in Turkey. Pan
American World Anyways, B. 0.
A. c. and some other information
al airlines have made Turkey a
regular stop on their worldwide
routes.
Three huge radio transmitters
provide entertainment, education,
and news through the country.