WWI+RAFT+G+Staci

R: Turk Minister A: British and France Ministers F: letter T: How they feel about the representation and the broken promises from France and Great Britain; what they would like

January 1920 Dear Minister of France and Great Britain,

As citizens of Turkey, it was our intention, to write a formal letter and inform serious pieces of news over to you. It is true that the mighty colonies, France and Great Britain promised us, the Turks, a negotiation with a exchange of help in the great World War. Since we, Turks, were liberated by our allies, at the time, agreed upon the conclusion. The negotiations were as follows:
 * receive independence
 * the rights to attend conferences
 * giving several different rights that will eventually lead Turkey in to a strong nation

However after the defeat of Germany and Austria-Hungry, in November 1918, the negotiations were never established. When the conferences, Peace of Paris and Covenant of the League of Nations were held, the Ottoman Empire and German Empires were distributed to Serbia, Russia, France, and Great Britain. The guarantee has been denied by the following statement conjectured by France and Great British ministers in Article 22. Covenant of the League of Nations (June 28 1919). As follows:

“ ... peoples not yet able to stand by themselves under the strenuous conditions of the modern world, there should be applied the principle that the well-being and development of such peoples form a sacred trust of civilization and that securities...

...experience or their geographical position can best undertake this responsibility, and who are willing to accept it, and that this tutelage should be exercised by them as Mandatories on behalf of the League. The character of the mandate must differ according to the stage of the development of the people, the geographical situation of the territory, its economic conditions and other similar circumstances. ...

...Certain communities formerly belonging to the Turkish empire have reached a stage of development where their existence as independent nations can be provisionally recognized subject to the rendering of administrative advice and assistance by a Mandatory until such time as they are able to stand alone. The wishes of these communities must be a principal consideration in the selection of the Mandatory. ... In every case of Mandate, the Mandatory shall render to the Council an annual report in reference to the territories committed to its charge....

... The degree of authority, control or administration to be exercised by the Mandatory shall, if not previously agreed upon by the Members of the League, be explicitly defined in each case by the Council.

A permanent Commission shall be constituted to receive and examine the annual reports of the Mandatories and to advise the Council on all matters relating to the observance of the mandates.”

This Article indicates victors, stating the colonized countries are going to get continuous controls under one reason; the colony was not ready for its independence. Not yet, this also states that “mandate systems,” levels of civilization under colonial domination will be mandatory if the country wants independence later. However, the citizens of Turkey believe, this isn’t what we negotiated for; we, clearly promised with France and Great Britain, complete independence and support for a birth of our own nation. However, compared to the circumstances we do agree that we could wait until the situation of the colonial powers are settled and arranged. This will take a few months at the most, we would like, in the meantime, tributes for our veterans and be recognized. It might be the pride that France and Great Britain holds, to not accept the fact that we, the third-world countries helped, greatly, in the war. Although, we would like some credit and memoir for the dead veterans. We will be looking forward for a meeting, this or next month regarding the negotiation. Please write back as soon as possible. With all our wishes, Minister of Turkey