The Franco-Turkish Agreement The Franco-Turkish agreement, signed last Friday in
Paris, in its general terms conforms to the model of the Anglo-Turkish agreement. It is directed against no other country, but provides for reciprocal aid in the event of aggression ; and the joint declaration promises consultation to promote security in the Balkans. France has taken the opportunity to settle a long-outstanding question in favour of Turkey, ceding the port and Sanjak of Alexandretta, with various provisions in the interests of minorities who live within the area. It is a weakness that the disposal of this mandated territory has been in effect arrived at over the heads of the Mandates Commission of the League —for though this is purely a matter of procedure, it involves a principle dear alike to France and Britain. But the settle- ment itself is a wise one. There is little force in the objection that the restoration of this conquered province of Turkey sets a precedent in regard to mandated territory. On the contrary, it is valuable as showing that Treaty revision is not ruled out when claims are reasonable and considered in a wholly friendly atmosphere. It provides no precedent for the cession of territory to aggressive Powers.
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