The text of the new Franco-Turkish Convention though it has
reached Paris has not yet been published. It is known, however, that it contains a reciprocal under- taking for neutrality* the ever.it of a conflict between France or Turkey and n third party. ,The chief interest for Great Britain is the question of the transport of troops over the Baghdad railway. Recently the French authorities have limited the number of Turkish troops passing over the ninety miles of the railway through Syrian territory north of Aleppo. If. Turkey should receive new rights of transport a new difficulty might be added to the task of defending Iraq. Thus, what is in itself merely a local arrangement might hatre wider results than are implied. France, however, we feel sure, is properly conscious of her position as a mandatory of the League and is not likely to overlook her respon- sibility for making the task of keeping the general peace as easy as may be.
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