"The Murderous Tyranny of the Turks"

Chapter 2: The Aims of the Allies.

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About This Book

The essay argues that Ottoman rule has been corrupt, cruel, and incapable of administering subject peoples, and supports Allied demands to liberate Christians and remove Ottoman authority from Europe. It surveys the empire's diverse populations, condemns recent massacres and forced expulsions, criticizes the Young Turk leadership for broken promises and increased brutality, and rejects the idea that Ottoman governance can be reformed. The author suggests that if any Turkish polity were to remain, it should be limited to a predominantly Muslim interior region, while coastal and Christian-majority areas require new arrangements to secure justice and order.

The Aims of the Allies.

President Wilson, in his note to all the belligerent governments, called upon both parties to state in the full light of day the aims they have set themselves in prosecuting the War. The Allied Nations, in their joint response made public on January 11th, 1917, explain that they find no difficulty in meeting this request, and make good their words by stating a series of definite conditions. Among them are:—

“The liberation of the peoples who now lie beneath the murderous tyranny of the Turks; and

“The expulsion from Europe of the Ottoman Empire, which has proved itself so radically alien to Western Civilisation.”

The plan of the Allies for the settlement of Turkey is thus communicated to the world without reserve, and it is worth examining what it involves, and why it is right.