The Alexandretta Settlement - Last week it was suggested here
that the Turkish proposal of a federal union between Syria and the Sanjak of Alexandretta might provide a basis for agreement in the dispute over the Sanjak between Turkey and France. During the week-end a settlement was reached at Geneva by which the Sanjak is to have complete internal autonomy within the new independent Syrian State ; its status will be assured by the presence of a League High Commissioner and a treaty of guarantee between Turkey, Syria and France. On Tuesday the only out- standing issue was settled by an agreement between the French and Turkish delegations at Geneva that Turkish is to be recognised in the Sanjak ; as Arabic was agreed to as an official language in the treaty between France and Syria, the decision to leave to the League Council the choice of a second language for the Sanjak is a formality. The dispute over the Sanjak, which has aroused strong feeling in Turkey, had all the elements of irritated national sensibility and difficult decisions of law and fact, which lead to international violence. The good sense of the disputants, assisted by the machinery and authority of Geneva and some effective mediation by Mr. Eden, have provided an admirable illustration of the value of the League system when there is a genuine desire to make the system work.
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