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‘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)

The record is made up of 1 volume (12 folios). It was created in 1922-1923. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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5
tr
wi
V
■IV
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.

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Content

A copy of a memorandum, submitted on behalf of the non-official British community in Constantinople [Istanbul], and printed and published by Page & Thomas Limited, London. The capitulations referred to in the volume’s title were grants made by successive Sultans of the Ottoman Empire to other nations (including Britain), that conferred rights and privileges upon the subjects of those nations living or trading in the Ottoman dominions.

The volume includes a definition of the capitulations, with paragraphs marked with pencil annotations in the margin (author unknown) describing their impact on trade, judicial matters, educational establishments, banks, public debt, customs tariffs, insurance, and war reparations. The volume also contains nine annexes, including: the text of the abrogation of the Capitulations, 1914; a description of the present civil and criminal judicial systems in Turkey; a description of the first commercial court in Constantinople, and its functions under the Capitulations; a description of a proposed reformation to the Turkish judiciary; and a description of insurance laws in Turkey.

Extent and format
1 volume (12 folios)
Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 14, these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

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English in Latin script
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‘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), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F112/280/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100061729890.0x000008> [accessed 14 March 2025]

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