Salt Lake Tribune | 1918-12-16 | Page 2 | May Ask U. S. to Guide Turk

II ASK U. S. ! TO GUIDE TURK Allies Believe Ottoman Nation Na-tion Incapable of Self- Governrnent. By WAUD PEICE. (New York Times-Chicago Tribune Cable, (Copyright.) CONSTANTINOPLE, Dec. T.. A -considerable bod of Turkish politicians hold : the remarkable view that Turkey did not j sign the armistice because she was con-, con-, quered, but concluded a treaty of peace as between equals. The party Of Union and Progress in the chamber which now is known under tho name of renovation, accordingly made a violent attack on the new government for having tolerated the supposed violations of the armistice by the liliies. They eventually gave the cabinet a grudging vote of confidence, explaining ex-plaining they did so oxdy to tide over the critical situation. Tiie government thus temporarily confirmed con-firmed is faced with serious material difficulties. dif-ficulties. One of the most pressing is the shortage Of coal. At the present moment j it seems Inevitable that Constantinople I will be without electric light, tramways ! and telephone service soon. The suspense i of the armistice period is telling on the j nerves of the TurkN. Tiiey realize their j fate as a nation which has been so often I discussed is at last to be finally decided i by the allies. The more enlightened of them are undoubtedly ready to make sweeping changes in the administration of their country in order to preserve Tur-' key's independence. As regards internal affairs tho disestablishment dis-establishment of Mohammedanism as the state religion and tho appointment of Greeks to high posts in the provincial administration are proposals which leading lead-ing Turks mentioned to me, but tiie only practical measure would be for the government gov-ernment to invite a large admixture of European officials in the internal administration admin-istration of the country as a guarantee of its efficiency a nd justice. The Turk himself Is incapable of governing except under control, and, though the Turks objected ob-jected to me that such course would be likely to make of Turkey a second Kgypt, it might still he the method by which the nominal Of toman sovereignty could be maintained and possible jealousies among' the allied powers avoided.