‘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.’ [‎9r] (17/28)

15
%
The above explanatory note is issued for the following reasons :
Some time ago the Angora Government had decided, in accordance
with Article 1. of the law passed 7th June, 1922, and sanctioned by the
Grand National Assembly, to consider as null and void all engagements of
whatever nature contracted by the Constantinople Government. The latter,
taking no heed of this decision, contracted loans and advances with various
establishments for the purpose of paying the salaries of its servants.
The said Government taking steps to contract fresh loans and advances,
the Angora Government has instructed its representatives abroad and at Con
stantinople to warn all financial establishments against any further dealings
with the Sublime Porte.
Furthermore, in as much as the Angora Government will assume control
immediately after the signature of Peace, the following additional articles will
be added to the terms of Article 1. of the above-mentioned law.
1. All loans and advances contracted after 7th June, 1922.
2. All concessions as well as those the duration of which has been
extended after the said date.
3. All tenancy contracts made by the Constantinople Government which
have not elapsed when the Angora Government assumes authority
in Constantinople.
4. All contracts or engagements which are not in accordance with the
economic and financial clauses of decrees issued by the Nationalist
Government.
5. The transfer or lease of any property belonging to the Govern
ment or to the Civil List.
The Government of Angora have decided not to recognise any operations
or engagements covered by the above paragraphs and entered into by the
Government in Constantinople.
It is clear that the decision of the Angora Government puts firms and
individuals with whom the Sublime Porte is in relation in an exceedingly
difficult position, but the Angora Government cannot recognise any conventions
which are in contradiction with the national pact. It, therefore, is obliged to
consider them null and void even in the case of engagements entered into
by the Sublime Porte with foreign undertakings.
I PRESENT JUDICIAL SYSTEMS.
(Cioil.)
General .—At the present moment the Courts open to British subjects in
Turkey for the redress of Civil claims are (a) H.B.M. Supreme Courts, for
disputes between British subjects, or where a foreigner (non-Ottoman) subject
claims against a British subject. In other words, the defendant has the right
to be sued in his own Court by any foreigner other than an Ottoman subject,
(b) the various Consular Courts of the Capitulatory Powers corresponding to
the British Supreme Court; of these Courts, the most important are the
French and Italian, which are staffed by Consuls with a legal qualification.
It is to these Courts that a British subject would have to address himself
for redress against a non-Ottoman foreigner; (c) the Provisional Mixed Judicial
Commission set up by agreement between the Allied High Commissioners and
the Sublime Porte for the trial of all civil questions, other than those involving