‘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.’ [‎7r] (13/28)

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On the other hand the Council has such pronounced views on the question
of the Capitulations, that it would welcome the opportunity of laying before
your association the conclusive evidence it has amassed as to the danger
of any serious modification of our Treaty Rights with Turkey.
Yours faithfully,
The Council of the British Chamber of Commerce
of Turkey and the Balkan States (Inc.).
TRANSLATION OF A MEMORANDUM PREPARED BY THE
BRITISH, FRENCH, AND ITALIAN CHAMBERS OF COM
MERCE IN CONSTANTINOPLE AND SENT TO THEIR
RESPECTIVE HIGH COMMISSIONERS.
Owing to the gravity of contemporary events, and as a corollary to the
wishes which were submitted separately by the British, French, and Italian
Chambers of Commerce on the subject of the maintenance of the Capitulations,
through their respective Governments for consideration at the Paris Conference
of March 22nd, 1922, the representatives of the Councils of these above-
mentioned Chambers have met in joint session and in close solidarity on
October 2nd and 4th, 1922.
They are under the impression that radical changes are to be made in
the treaties known as the Capitulations which constitute the heritage of our
respective communities. Certain of these ancient privileges are so vital to
the interests of these communities that the delegates of the above three Chambers
make appeal to their respective Governments for safeguards for their nationals
residing in Turkey.
The Meeting desires to emphasise the importance of maintaining in full
all rights with respect to the administration of justice,* the inviolability of
domicile and of person, as existing under treaty rights, grants, usages, and
privileges. If to satisfy the pride of the Turkish nation, the Allied Govern
ments think it advisable to declare that the Capitulations are abolished, it
is absolutely necessary to establish under another form these ancient rights,
and even, bearing in mind the experience of the war, to strengthen them.
It is only due to such rights that foreigners, who are engaged in trade, or
who in any other way render services to their respective countries—can live
and trade in this country with security. The attention of our Governments
is called to the fact that security of life and property will immediately become
endangered should in the smallest degree the Capitulations be weakened in
the protection they now afford.
From an economic point of view we recognise the necessity for the
Turkish Government to be in a position to balance its budget. Equity demands
that all who trade and live in this country should be subject to equal
taxation whatever their nationality. If, on the other hand, the Turkish Govern
ment is permitted to modify its Customs Duties, without, as in the past,
having to obtain the consent of the Great Powers, then guarantees must
be obtained that direct taxation—and particularly in the matter of the temettu
(income tax)—will be applied with justice and equality for all. Friendly
advice should be given to the Turkish Government, in its own interests,
not to exaggerate its import and export duties—the Customs tariff established
in Anatolia Peninsula that forms most of modern-day Turkey. constitutes a disquietening indication in this matter—and, in all
cases, the Customs Duties must be alike for all, each of our countries
benefiting by the “ most favoured nation ” clause.