‘The Capitulations. What they are, and what effect their abolition will have upon the status of British subjects in Turkey, upon their interests, their liberties and upon British trade generally.’ [‎4r] (7/28)

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same there will not be a sufficient number of clerks to carry on the
work. Few Turks are properly qualified to do the work required
of them.
The suppression of the Public Debt and the inclusion of the
revenues now collected by this institution, and reserved for the
purpose of securing the obligations of the country with respect
to certain loans in the general budget of the Government is contem
plated by the Angora Government.
The Angora Government have introduced a customs tariff of
a prohibitive character for the area they have occupied during the
last few years. The intention is to create industries. In fact, it
will, however, act very harmfully on the cotton and woollen piece
goods trade of Great Britain. While a certain freedom with respect
to such matters as import duties is reasonable, care should be exercised
and safeguards provided against any tariff which would destroy a
very important market.
Account and books are to be kept in Turkish. It is doubtful
if to-day 1 per cent, of the clerical staff employed by European
or American firms is Turkish.
Attention is drawn here to the grave losses suffered by British
subjects in Turkey during the war, and lately again in Smyrna. The
first losses amount to well over £15,000,000; what the recent losses
amount to it is impossible to say now. The loss of this capital
means loss to British trade. The owners of this capital traded
almost exclusively with Great Britain. What remains of the capital
of these British communities will follow what they possessed before,
if the privileges which protect their properties are weakened in the
slightest degree.
Losses suffered by British subjects in Turkey are divided into
two categories. Requisitions and damage done during the war are
payable under the Treaty of Versailles by Germany. Pre-war debts
arising out of contracts with the Government as well as all claims
not covered by the Treaty of Versailles are recoverable under the
defunct Treaty of Sevres. They now are to be considered by the
Conference at Lausanne. The Turks wish to pass all these claims
on to Greece. Between the two the British subject gets nothing
and continues to suffer from the losses he has sustained which again
reacts on British trade and on unemployment in Great Britain.
A further question arises the importance of which should not
be lost sight of. Should the Capitulations be abrogated the children
of British parents born in Turkep run the risk °f becoming Turkish
subjects.
For centuries Europe has been struggling, very unsuccessfully
alas, to protect minorities under Turkish rule, and yet there are in
Great Britain people who would add their own fellow subjects to
these minorities by advocating the abrogation of the Capitulations.