مجموعة ٦/٨١ "سوريا: الوضع في إسكندرونة وأنطاكية." [و‎‎١‎٤‎٣] (٥٧٦/٢٨٦)

THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT
EASTERN (Syria).
January 11, 1937.
CONFIDENTIAL.
Section 2.
E 209/3/89]
Copy No. -L
Sir P. Loraine to 21
(No. 8.)
Sir,
Angora, January 5, 1937.
I HAVE the honour, with reference to my telegra m No. 195 of the
26th December, to inform you that one of the manifestations'oi popular feeling
in regard to the question of Alexandretta and Antioch has been the formation, in
Istanbul and other provincial centres, of “ Hatay Associations ” or “ Hatay
Independence Committees,” whose activities have received some prominence in
the Turkish press. The word “ Hatay,” which a few months back formed no
part of the Turkish vocabulary, is now familiar to every Turk as meaning an
inhabitant of the sanjak, i.e., a Hittite, much labour having been expended by
Turkish propagandists in proving the descent of the modern Turk in that region
from the Hittites or Hatti who previously occupied it.
2. These Hatay Associations, of which the members are natives of the sanjak
living in Turkey, have set up headquarters in the towns where they exist; they
fly the “ Hatay ” flag (which appears to be identical with the Turkish national
flag except that the star, instead of being white, is red surrounded by a narrow
white border), and sing the “ Hatay ” anthem, the cadences of which are stated
to differ only slightly from those of the Turkish national hymn.
3. The ceremonial opening of the “ Hatay Association ” at Istanbul on
the 27th December was attended by enthusiastic crowds, composed mostly of
university students and senior schoolboys. A similar movement in the Mersin
district forms the subject of my telegram No. 1. Saving, of to-day’s date.
4. I would add that the press (the Republique in particular) is showing-
evidence of rising temper, and there have been references to the desirability of
Turkey’s turning her back on Geneva if she does not receive satisfaction, and
of her settling the problem in her own way and at her own time. I am able to
inform you, however, that I have ascertained from an authoritative Turkish source
that these rather unguarded threats represent neither the policy of the Turkish
Government nor the ideas of M. Ataturk. They need only therefore be taken
as an escape of steam, which, for internal reasons, the Government did not at
the time wish to prevent. Latterly this newspaper’s tone has become more
moderate.
I have, &c.
PERCY LORAINE.
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