Current History, A Monthly Magazine | Page 5

on the
Ottoman tax-payers all the heavier. The fact that foreigners who enjoy
in the Ottoman Empire every protection and every privilege as well as
freedom in their business transactions are exempt from taxation
constitutes in itself an intolerable injustice and creates at the same time
a situation detrimental to the independence and prestige of the
Government.
While the Imperial Government was firm in its resolution to continue
its efforts regarding the reforms, the general war broke and increased
the financial difficulties of the country in such a degree that all the
innovations and all the reforms which have been decided upon and
actually begun are threatened to remain without effect.
The Sublime Porte feels convinced that the only way toward salvation
for the Ottoman Government lies in the realization of the necessary
reforms in the least possible time. In the same way the Porte feels that
every encouragement will be shown her in the decisive steps to be
undertaken for this end.
Convinced of this, the Imperial Government has decided to abolish, on
Oct. 1, 1914, the capitulations, and all conventions, concessions, and
privileges emanating therefrom, which have become an iron ring
around the State, making it impossible for it to progress.
At the same time the Ottoman Government engages to treat with
foreign countries in accordance with the rules of international law.
While I have the honor of communicating to your Excellency this
decision, which opens a new and happy era in the life of the Ottoman
Empire, an event which undoubtedly will please your Excellency, I
consider it my duty to add that the Porte in abolishing the capitulations

does not harbor any hostile feeling against any of the foreign States, but
is acting solely in the highest interests of the empire. At the same time,
the Porte is ready to begin pourparlers for the conclusion of commercial
treaties in accordance with the principles of international law.
The Turkish press made little mention of the manner in which Europe
took notice of the important step taken by the Porte, and the Ministerial
Tasfiri Efkiar was the only one to express the feelings of the
Government on this occasion, saying:
It is not proper for us to expect a unanimous and speedy satisfaction
from all the European powers; but, on the other hand, we must
welcome every objection and every discussion from whatever source it
comes, as in this way we shall know who are our friends and who our
enemies.
APPROACHING THE CRISIS.
The events covering the period from Sept. 10, when the abolition of the
capitulations was decided upon, till Oct. 29, when the Turkish fleet
attacked Russian ports and shipping in the Black Sea, were confined
mostly to hasty and all-absorbing warlike preparations on the part of
the Turkish Government, assisted by the German military mission. The
Constantinople correspondent of The Daily Atlantis of New York wrote
on Sept. 17:
We are daily approaching a crisis. The Government has not swerved
from its warlike attitude, and is threatening not only Greece, but Russia
and the Triple Entente as well, while, on the other hand, it has failed to
secure Rumanian or Bulgarian co-operation in its militant policy. At
the same time, the Porte has learned that efforts are being made in the
Balkans for common action against Turkey. It also became known that
the Governments of London and Petrograd agreed to indemnify
Bulgaria by giving her Adrianople and Thrace, while Greece was to
have Smyrna, with a considerable hinterland.
During this period the Turkish press maintained an active campaign
against England and the Allies. The following extract from an editorial

article published in the Terdjumani-Hakkikat thus characterizes the
situation:
Everybody knows that the Balkan States are traversing a period of
doubts, and that the belligerent parties are doing their best in order to
secure the sympathies and the assistance of the Balkan States.
To begin with, the idea of reconstructing the Balkan League came
under consideration. In this way the Balkan States think they will
become strong enough to impose their will at the final settlement that
will follow the war. This idea, however, based as it is on the
nullification of the Treaty of Bucharest, and on certain sacrifices on the
part of Rumania and Greece, proved to be a failure. In the course of the
discussion between the two States it was shown that neither Greece nor
Rumania was willing to make any sacrifice in favor of Bulgaria. The
Balkan Alliance, being thus unpracticable, the belligerent powers of
Europe attempted to attract Rumania and Bulgaria only, and to this end
they made every sort of promise to the two Governments of Sofia and
Bucharest. The President of the London Balkan Committee, Mr. Noel
Buxton, went to Bulgaria and made certain promises to Mr.
Radoslavoff, the