Papers written by Curzon on the Near and Middle East [‎135r] (269/348)

OjRCTJLATED TO THF CABINET.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty’s Government.j
EASTERN (Turkey). [April 27.]
CONFIDENTIAL. Section 1.
[E 4371/5/44| No. 1.
The Marquess Curzon of Kedleston to M. de Martino.
Your Excellency, Foreign Office, April 27, 1022.
YOU have been good enough to communicate to me verbally, on instructions from
M. Schanzer, the intelligence that an agreement has now been signed between the
Italian and the Turkish Governments in virtue of which the latter grants to the former
certain concessions for railways, public works and mines, the precise character of
which is not yet specified. I learn that these concessions have been offered as a free
gift by the Constantinople Government, and M. Schanzer assures me that there have
been no dealings with Angora in this matter. It is stated that the agreement does not
provide for any set-off or counter-concession by the Italian Government, nor for any
understanding which can fetter or limit their political action. M. Schanzer surmises,
indeed, that the Turkish Government may expect thus to guarantee themselves against
Italian hostility, but that this is merely their desire, while it is the firm intention of
the Italian Government to take no step opposed to the policy of the Allies, and
especially of His Majesty’s Government. In this spirit M. Schanzer declares that he
had in the past kept me loyally informed of what was passing and would continue to
do so in the future. He reminds me that he had acquainted me with the Turkish offer
at Paris, and your Excellency yourself mentioned it to me at the same time. 1 am
further assured that the Italian Government entertain no illusions as to the value of
the concessions now gratuitously offered to them by the Turks; but that they distrust
the benefits secured to them by the Tripartite Agreement and those economic guarantees
which, on the strong insistence of M. Schanzer. were included last month in the Paris
recommendations. Accordingly they have felt unable to refuse the Turkish offer and
have signed the agreement.
2. 1 note that you will shortly communicate to me the text of this document, and,
in view of the message of M. Schanzer, communicated to me by you, I doubt not that
on examining it I shall find that it impinges on no specific British interest. 1 desire,
however, to submit without dela}^ some observations of a more general nature on this
remarkable and, as it appears to me, unfortunate proceeding.
d. 1 recall that at Paris M. Schanzer informed me not of the Turkish offer, but of
the fact that certain proposals had been made. I also recollect your mentioning the
matter to me in a sentence before I left for Paris, and ray reply to you advising
extreme caution. From that date to the present moment I have received from you no
information whatever as to the course of the negotiations proceeding. I did indeed
learn from British representatives abroad that they were believed to be taking place,
and I did not fail a few days ago to warn you again in writing. I can onty regret that
my representation shoidd have remained so entirely ineffective, and 1 feel unable to
admit that His Majesty’s Government have been treated with the frankness they might
have expected from the loyalty which is claimed by the Italian Government for its acts
and intentions.
4. It appears to me to be wholly immaterial that the Italian Government should
have negotiated at Constantinople alone and not at Angora. It is well known that the
aims of the two Turkish parties are substantially identical, and that what is gained or
lost by the one is gained or lost by the other also. It is also tolerably certain that
Izzet Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. would not venture to conclude any agreement of more than passing
importance without the cognizance of the Angora authorities. Furthermore, T have
received reliable information that the latter are perfectly well aware of, if they have not
actually participated, in the negotiations. In any case, the evil effects of this agreement
will inevitably extend to the negotiations in which the Allies will be presently involved
with the Turkish Nationalists.
5. 1 fully accept M. Schanzer’s assurance that the obligations of this agreement
are only unilateral, i.e., on the Turkish and not on the Italian Government. I fear,
however, that the public opinion of Europe and Asia, based on a long familiarity with
the processes and objects of Oriental diplomacy, will not derive much consolation from
this assurance. It is not the practice even of Western Governments to give away
valuable concessions gratuitously to foreign interests ; still less has any Turkish
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s,