Turkey and the Dardanelles There are four reasons why the
formal notice given by Turkey that she intends to propose before the League of Nations Council next month the removal of the veto (embodied in the Treaty of Lausanne) on the fortification of the Dardanelles has provoked little agitation in Europe. One is that the move was expected ; the second, that it is overshadowed by far graver problems ; the third, that Turkey, in sharp contrast to certain greater Powers, has proceeded with strict propriety in raising the question thus formally, under Article XIX of the Covenant ; the fourth, that Kemal Ataturk is unfortunately justified in his distrust of security guaranteed by four Great Powers, of whom two are Italy and Japan. Failing that security Constantinople lies exposed to attack by any fleet which chooses to proceed up the demilitarised Straits. The spread of the principle of demilitarisation was one of the brightest prospects of the Peace Conference period. Instead of that we are witnessing its almoSt complete abandonment. But at least the deiuilitarised zone 'on the Maritza, between Greece and Turkey, remains, and is working admirably. That, it is hoped, will be challenged by neither country-. Turkey's request, reasonably formu- lated, must be met in a reasonable spirit, and no doubt wil! be. It will be something to provide an example of how Article XIX can work.
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