Turkey Declares Her Independence by Francis M. Wilcox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 24, 1914

Turkey Declares Her Independence

By Francis M. Wilcox

WITH the situation which now exists in Europe, when all the great powers but Italy are engaged in deadly warfare, the Turkish government evidently deems it an opportune time to rid herself of the domination of some of her stronger neighbors. This, according to a recent statement of the Turkish government, she proposes to do.

For many years Turkey has granted to other nations charters of extraterritorial privileges. These are called capitulations, from the fact that they are divided into chapters. Mr. Oscar S. Straus, former ambassador for the United States at Constantinople, in the Washington Post of September 12, traces the origin of these capitulations to the twelfth century. In 1453, when Constantinople was taken by the Ottomans, there were settled in the capital city a number of colonies of resident foreigners, who had maintained their respective religious autonomies. The Ottoman conquerors permitted them to continue their local self-government.

In after years the rights that Turkey had granted in a spirit of liberality when she was dominant were by degrees in later centuries—when Turkey became less powerful—incorporated as rights in treaties with various foreign governments. The first treaties in which these rights were set forth were made with France, later with Austria, Great Britain, and others.

In 1830 the United States made their first treaty with Turkey; this contained the favored nation clause. We also obtained the same extraterritorial rights enjoyed by the great European nations.

With these capitulations more or less in force, Turkey was not sovereign in her own dominions. For example, in the various treaties that followed in line of these capitulations Turkey could not raise her import duties without the consent of powers with whom she had made these treaties.

Again, under the capitulations, criminal trials involving foreigners were held before the consular courts of the nations to which the criminals belonged. Certain of the powers had yielded in this respect, receiving important concessions or a consideration on the part of Turkey. In this way she slowly and gradually acquired some elements of sovereignty, but not the whole.

According to the statement of the Turkish ambassador to the United States, these restrictions imposed by the powers have weighed heavily upon the Ottoman government, and prevented the putting into execution of certain reforms which the powers of Europe have demanded. It is claimed also that this situation has lessened the moral responsibility of Turkey and relaxed the moral fiber of the nation. This situation the Constantinople government feels should be changed. Accordingly, on September 9, the various governments to whom Turkey has accredited representatives were informed that beginning with October 1, Turkey proposes to assert her independence and free herself from these irritating restrictions. The announcement given to the press by the Turkish ambassador to the United States, as published in the New York Times of September 11, declares:—

A cablegram to the Turkish ambassador from the Ottoman minister of foreign affairs states that by imperial irade the Ottoman government has abrogated, as from the first of October next, the conventions, known as the capitulations, restricting the sovereignty of Turkey in her relations with certain powers. All privileges and immunities accessory to these conventions or issuing therefrom are equally repealed.

Having thus freed itself from what was an intolerable obstacle to all progress in the empire, the imperial government has adopted as the basis of its relations with the other powers the general principles of international law.

This purpose of the Turkish government is not the result of a sudden impulse. Immediately after the revolution which brought the Young Turks party into control of the government, the powers were approached with reference to the abrogation of the capitulations. The reply was unfavorable, as the powers held that the new government should first demonstrate its ability to govern wisely and administer justice fairly before the powers would surrender the rights which their citizens held in Turkey.

The same position is taken by the powers at the present time. Great Britain, Russia, France, and Italy have replied in identical terms. According to the Washington Post of September 13, they point out that—

the capitulatory régime in Turkey is not an autonomous institution of the Turkish Empire, but an issue of international treaties, diplomatic agreements, and contractual acts of divers kind. Consequently, this régime can be modified only on the basis of an understanding with the contracting powers, and, failing such an understanding before October 1 next, the ambassadors would be unable to recognize the executory force beginning on that date of the unilateral decision of the Sublime Porte.

It is felt by many that this protest on the part of the powers will not affect the course taken by Turkey nearly as much as will the results of the European conflict. Because of the desire of Great Britain, France, and Russia for Turkey to remain neutral in the present conflict, it is believed that their protest was couched in as mild terms as possible so as not to irritate the Turkish government, but in the event of their final victory, doubtless they will take a much stronger position.

The government of the United States also has refused to recognize the right of the Ottoman government to abrogate the agreements made between it and this country, and has sent a strong protest to the Constantinople government in harmony with this decision.

It is quite possible that instead of this position taken by the Turkish government strengthening that nation, it may open the way for its more speedy ejectment from Europe. In the past, Turkey has been bolstered up in every crisis by one or more of the great European governments. Now, if she persists in her determination to sever her dependence upon these strong nations, so that none of them stand by her side to assist her, the way may open for her more speedy elimination from Europe and her final abandonment by every earthly government. Of her own volition she will have chosen the course which will bring her to her end with no one to help her, as outlined in the prophetic word.

Let us pray for eyes to see and for hearts to understand the meaning and portent of the rapidly shaping events in earth's history. F. M. W.