THE TURK UNFIT TO RULE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1699, 17 April 1917, Page 4

THE TURK UNFIT TO RULE

Writing on the future of Constantinople, Sir William Ramsay says:—‘‘In regard to the Turkish people and their fate, I write as onq who has kmnvn thousands of them in the course of the last 35 years, and is on very friendly terms with many. I am indebted to them for much kindness. I have eaten the bread and salt of very many individuals and villages, and there are few, if any, even among the Turks themselves, whose face used to be so familiar or so Avelcome in hundreds of Turkish villages as mine. 1 claim to speak on behalf of the people of Turkey, both Avhen I have denounced the Armenian massacres and nuAV when 1 maintain that Turkish domination on the great international Avaterway Avhich is commanded by Constantinople is an outrage that ought to be ended. Every plan for improving Turkish administration has failed; and the conclusion must be drawn. The streets of Stamboul must be SAvept clear of blood. The Young Turks swept them clear of filth and of dogs, but the stain of innocent blood shed throughout the Empire is deeper than ever at the centre of government. No true friend of the Turks Avould keep them Avhere they, have to perform a grave international duty. It is work for which they are not suited; no one Avho knoAvs and loves their good qualities from intimate knowledge can be* ignorant of the faults Avhich unfit, them to rule at Constantinople. They cannot use, but only misuse, the resources of civilisation. Anything may happen in Turkey except Avhat is reasonable and natural and possible, and the results are often comic, but sometimes tragic. Moreover, the people Avho suffer most from the governing class have been the Turks themselves. This sounds a paradox, but it is the plain truth.”