The Alexandretta Dispute The Franco-Turkish dispute over the Sanjak of
Alexan- dretta has shown itself to be full of dangers ; but Turkey's excellent record in the conduct of international relations is an assurance that she will not try to solve the dispute by force. The Franco-Turkish agreement of 1921, by which France evacuated Cilicia and retained Alexandretta, gave a considerable degree of autonomy to the Turks ',in the Sanjak ; the agreement was followed by the Treaty of Lausanne, by which Turkey surrendered all rights and claims in territories outside her frontiers as laid down by that instrument. In 1986, France, as the Mandatory Power, made a treaty with Syria and the Lebanon, by which those two States will become independent allies of France in 1939. The treaty aroused the legitimate fears of Turkey for the safety and privileges of the Turks in the Sanjak, where, if they no longer form- 80 per cent. of the community, 'they are still in the majority ; -the fears are legitimate, because the Arabs have a bad reputa- tion for maltreating foreign populations -under their rule. France, as a Mandatory Power .and as an..opponent of treaty revision, cannot admit Turkey's claim to the cession of the Sanjak ; but if she has a strong legal position, Turkey . can draw strong arguments from the facts of the case. The breakdown of the Franco-Turkish conversations led to considerable tension ; but Turkey has shown great wisdom in. her proposal, which may prove a, reasonable basis for compromise, for a federal union of. Syria and the Sanjak.
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