Press Censorship in Constantinople
Title
Press Censorship in Constantinople
Creator
USS Scorpion
Identifier
WWP15779
Date
1919 May 31
Description
This intelligence report from the USS Scorpion describes press censorship in Constantinople.
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
U. S. S. SCORPION, Flagship.
Intelligence Report.
Subject: Press Censorship, Constantinople.
Source: Local editors and Censors.
References:(a) Code mesages, Ammission, Nos. 569 and 579.(b) Intelligence Report, this Command, dated May 27, 1919.
Enclosure:1.
1. Following is a translation of the latest order muzzling the Turkish press against American news, sent to every Constantinople newspaper:
NOTICE. The Interallied Press Censorship has notified you several times before that the only official Agencies recognized are: The Italian Agency, and the Turkey-Havas-Reuter Agency.
|
|
|
2. Attached is the translation of an article refused publication by the censorship in the Turkish newspaper TASVIREKIAR. The censor was unwilling to cut the article, and cancelled it in toto. The author is one of the editors, and this command was unaware that he had written it until he brought it to the American Embassy. It will be noticed that, except in the first two paragraphs, no reference is made to our forbidden radio news. The article is a well-reasoned appeal for an American mandate, by a Turkish writer who has visited the Philipines and written a book on Japan. The translation into English is his own.
3. Simultaneously, however, the newspaper “L’ENTENTE” printed in the course of an editorial on the recent Crown Council meeting, the following (translated).
Similar sentiments in this and other French language and native newspapers could be cited.
“L’ENTENTE” as has been pointed out by cable, is the new newspaper of Pera which is supposedly the organ of the Turkish Entente-Liberal party. It aims for influence among the entire non-Turkish speaking population, especially the allied military personnel. It is believed to be controlled by Ali Kemal Bey, the most “powerful” member of the two latest cabinets. Ali Kemal is supposed to have pro-British tendencies, but “L’Entente” has lately begun violently to beat the French kettledrum.
4. The two Turkish newspapers mentioned in a recent despatch as having secured 65,000 signatures favoring British control of Turkey, and with the cognizance of the political officer of the British High Commission, are the Alemdar and the Turkdje Stamboul. A British officer in a position to know recently admitted to the writer that the British High Commission “controlled” these two sheets, but without a money subsidy. He also confessed that British propaganda locally for the control of Turkey was equally active as the French, but “covered its tracks.” He was certain that the French activities would defeat themselves by their very obviousness.
5. American official interests have thus far made no move whatever to approach or influence the Turkish press in favor of American mandates or in any other way. It is remarked, however, that an easy method of nullifying the anti-American propaganda would be as follows: Issue a single edition of a newspaper, under any name, with the sub-title “Representing American Interests in the Near East” (the statement in re French interests in the “Stamboul”)...but allowing the Edition to appear with every column blank, i.E. as if censored out.
6. Captain Ornsteen, the British member of the Allied Press Censorship (see Report of May 27) has declared that he has also complained in an official report of the dual activities of the two French members of the board, who act both as censors and also contribute to the pro-French press. Ornsteen has for this and other reasons concerning the disrepute attached to the board been able to have his connection with it severed.
Copies to:
Admiral Benson -2-
Force Commander -2-
(for ONI) File -1-
Translation of suppressed newspaper article favoring an American mandate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------The duty of America. No definite and reliable information has been received yet about the fate of our Empire which is under discussion at present in the Peace Conference. The wireless telegrams which reach the American Embassy are contradicting each other. For instance, according to some of this telegrams the dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire is decided, and to some others there has been found a new solution. At the same time some of these telegrams state that Asia Minor is going to be governed by various mandates belonging to great Powers, under the control of the league of nations.
Yesterday’s newspapers contained a more important despatch to the effect that the United States of America is going to accept, the mandatory in Asia Minor, including Constantinople. Of course we cannot judge how much truth it contains, but its realization is preferable rather than the other solutions which are extremely terrible. Specially the same telegram says that Americans are willing to accept the mandatory in order to give an example to the world how a country can be administrated without any selfish aims and after producing the good results how a self-government can be given. We absolutely believe to these guarantees. Yes we believe to the sincerity of these guarantees, because up to the present day Americans always kept their promise to the nations whom they governed in the form of mandatory are protectorate, and when the time fixed come they evacuated without any trouble or insistence. We can see lively examples of this fact in the manner adopted by the same goverment towrards the Philippines and Cuba which were occupied in 1897 during the Spanish war. When America occupied Cuba she declared that her intention was not to add this Island to her main country. Indeed she kept her promise and after everything was settled, she did not hesitate a moment to acknowledge the independence of the Island and transfer the administration to the natives. In the case of Phlippine Islands American Government after occupation declared that her aim is to educate the people and promote civilization and whenever she is satisfied the evacuation should be an accomplished fact without any doubt. America has not yet completely fulfilled her promise, and the chief reason to that is this: Philippine Islands are inhabited by various savage tribes, on account of this the establishment of peace and order is not an easy task, and it requires a long time. Yet American Government year by year has widened the authority of Philippines in the matters of local administration and gave them more privileges than before. Even recently the Government promised officially the independence in a very short time. These examples will lead us to the fact that ramong the civilized nations there is only America who does not follow a selfish aim when governing other nations, it is impossible to find any other examples in the history to this effect. As long as these examples stand before us we cannot doubt that in the case of America will accept the mandate of our country, the fulfillment of her promise is certain when the appointed time has come. At the same time America is the most progressed, rich and powerful government among the civilized nations of the world, and for this reason if she will accept the mandate anywhere in our country, we are sure the exploitation and development will be guaranteed beyond imagination. Although we are stating all these facts it must not be thought that we are demanding the American mandate. There is a proverb in our language hwhich says: “Nightingale was put into a golden cage, but it cried, My hom, sweet!” Some prefer to live a liberal and independent life in this land, every nook and corner of which bears the signs of our ancestor’s heroism and glory, to all the riches and conforts of the world. But as we said before, if the Peace Conference is in the eve of giving terrible decisions of course we demand froim God that America should take up the mandate and prevent any other form of dismemberment of this unfortunate country. This is the duty of America before history, humanity and civilization. Because America declared that she is entering this war in the name of humanity and civilization. And she already proved that her ideal aims are far beyond the imperialism and a selfish policy by not demanding a share of any kind. It must not be forgot that the Allies won the war chiefly by the aid of United States. This affords America a privilege of decision more than anybody else in the matter of the fate of the conquered countries. Only it is feared that Americans are against the interference to the European affairs and so they might refuse the proposed mandate. Even it is said that the Congress is not going to authorize Wilson in this respect. If it is not possible for America to take up the mandatory of this country directly it is the duty of President Wilson to prevent the dismemberment and division of the country among many selfish powers by giving the mandate to Great Britain, who is much more accustomed to administer Mohammedans than any other nation. Of course, it is more preferable for us to accept the mandatory of Great Britain than to be divided among nations which are different in language, in civilisation, in nationality and in religion to ours. After falling to this sad condition we hope from America that at least she would not forget the 14 points and specially the article which blelongs to us. If this right of ours should not be recognized and we should be sacrificed to selfish policies of great powers the civilised world must be sure that the solution of the Eastern question and a permanent peace on earth is absolutely impossible. Because the fate of Turkey is not only a Turkish question but it is a great problem which concerns all the mahommedans of the globe.
|
Intelligence Report.
Subject: Press Censorship, Constantinople.
Source: Local editors and Censors.
References:(a) Code mesages, Ammission, Nos. 569 and 579.(b) Intelligence Report, this Command, dated May 27, 1919.
Enclosure:1.
1. Following is a translation of the latest order muzzling the Turkish press against American news, sent to every Constantinople newspaper:
NOTICE. The Interallied Press Censorship has notified you several times before that the only official Agencies recognized are: The Italian Agency, and the Turkey-Havas-Reuter Agency.
2. Attached is the translation of an article refused publication by the censorship in the Turkish newspaper TASVIREKIAR. The censor was unwilling to cut the article, and cancelled it in toto. The author is one of the editors, and this command was unaware that he had written it until he brought it to the American Embassy. It will be noticed that, except in the first two paragraphs, no reference is made to our forbidden radio news. The article is a well-reasoned appeal for an American mandate, by a Turkish writer who has visited the Philipines and written a book on Japan. The translation into English is his own.
3. Simultaneously, however, the newspaper “L’ENTENTE” printed in the course of an editorial on the recent Crown Council meeting, the following (translated).
Similar sentiments in this and other French language and native newspapers could be cited.
“L’ENTENTE” as has been pointed out by cable, is the new newspaper of Pera which is supposedly the organ of the Turkish Entente-Liberal party. It aims for influence among the entire non-Turkish speaking population, especially the allied military personnel. It is believed to be controlled by Ali Kemal Bey, the most “powerful” member of the two latest cabinets. Ali Kemal is supposed to have pro-British tendencies, but “L’Entente” has lately begun violently to beat the French kettledrum.
4. The two Turkish newspapers mentioned in a recent despatch as having secured 65,000 signatures favoring British control of Turkey, and with the cognizance of the political officer of the British High Commission, are the Alemdar and the Turkdje Stamboul. A British officer in a position to know recently admitted to the writer that the British High Commission “controlled” these two sheets, but without a money subsidy. He also confessed that British propaganda locally for the control of Turkey was equally active as the French, but “covered its tracks.” He was certain that the French activities would defeat themselves by their very obviousness.
5. American official interests have thus far made no move whatever to approach or influence the Turkish press in favor of American mandates or in any other way. It is remarked, however, that an easy method of nullifying the anti-American propaganda would be as follows: Issue a single edition of a newspaper, under any name, with the sub-title “Representing American Interests in the Near East” (the statement in re French interests in the “Stamboul”)...but allowing the Edition to appear with every column blank, i.E. as if censored out.
6. Captain Ornsteen, the British member of the Allied Press Censorship (see Report of May 27) has declared that he has also complained in an official report of the dual activities of the two French members of the board, who act both as censors and also contribute to the pro-French press. Ornsteen has for this and other reasons concerning the disrepute attached to the board been able to have his connection with it severed.
Copies to:
Admiral Benson -2-
Force Commander -2-
(for ONI) File -1-
Translation of suppressed newspaper article favoring an American mandate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------The duty of America. No definite and reliable information has been received yet about the fate of our Empire which is under discussion at present in the Peace Conference. The wireless telegrams which reach the American Embassy are contradicting each other. For instance, according to some of this telegrams the dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire is decided, and to some others there has been found a new solution. At the same time some of these telegrams state that Asia Minor is going to be governed by various mandates belonging to great Powers, under the control of the league of nations.
Yesterday’s newspapers contained a more important despatch to the effect that the United States of America is going to accept, the mandatory in Asia Minor, including Constantinople. Of course we cannot judge how much truth it contains, but its realization is preferable rather than the other solutions which are extremely terrible. Specially the same telegram says that Americans are willing to accept the mandatory in order to give an example to the world how a country can be administrated without any selfish aims and after producing the good results how a self-government can be given. We absolutely believe to these guarantees. Yes we believe to the sincerity of these guarantees, because up to the present day Americans always kept their promise to the nations whom they governed in the form of mandatory are protectorate, and when the time fixed come they evacuated without any trouble or insistence. We can see lively examples of this fact in the manner adopted by the same goverment towrards the Philippines and Cuba which were occupied in 1897 during the Spanish war. When America occupied Cuba she declared that her intention was not to add this Island to her main country. Indeed she kept her promise and after everything was settled, she did not hesitate a moment to acknowledge the independence of the Island and transfer the administration to the natives. In the case of Phlippine Islands American Government after occupation declared that her aim is to educate the people and promote civilization and whenever she is satisfied the evacuation should be an accomplished fact without any doubt. America has not yet completely fulfilled her promise, and the chief reason to that is this: Philippine Islands are inhabited by various savage tribes, on account of this the establishment of peace and order is not an easy task, and it requires a long time. Yet American Government year by year has widened the authority of Philippines in the matters of local administration and gave them more privileges than before. Even recently the Government promised officially the independence in a very short time. These examples will lead us to the fact that ramong the civilized nations there is only America who does not follow a selfish aim when governing other nations, it is impossible to find any other examples in the history to this effect. As long as these examples stand before us we cannot doubt that in the case of America will accept the mandate of our country, the fulfillment of her promise is certain when the appointed time has come. At the same time America is the most progressed, rich and powerful government among the civilized nations of the world, and for this reason if she will accept the mandate anywhere in our country, we are sure the exploitation and development will be guaranteed beyond imagination. Although we are stating all these facts it must not be thought that we are demanding the American mandate. There is a proverb in our language hwhich says: “Nightingale was put into a golden cage, but it cried, My hom, sweet!” Some prefer to live a liberal and independent life in this land, every nook and corner of which bears the signs of our ancestor’s heroism and glory, to all the riches and conforts of the world. But as we said before, if the Peace Conference is in the eve of giving terrible decisions of course we demand froim God that America should take up the mandate and prevent any other form of dismemberment of this unfortunate country. This is the duty of America before history, humanity and civilization. Because America declared that she is entering this war in the name of humanity and civilization. And she already proved that her ideal aims are far beyond the imperialism and a selfish policy by not demanding a share of any kind. It must not be forgot that the Allies won the war chiefly by the aid of United States. This affords America a privilege of decision more than anybody else in the matter of the fate of the conquered countries. Only it is feared that Americans are against the interference to the European affairs and so they might refuse the proposed mandate. Even it is said that the Congress is not going to authorize Wilson in this respect. If it is not possible for America to take up the mandatory of this country directly it is the duty of President Wilson to prevent the dismemberment and division of the country among many selfish powers by giving the mandate to Great Britain, who is much more accustomed to administer Mohammedans than any other nation. Of course, it is more preferable for us to accept the mandatory of Great Britain than to be divided among nations which are different in language, in civilisation, in nationality and in religion to ours. After falling to this sad condition we hope from America that at least she would not forget the 14 points and specially the article which blelongs to us. If this right of ours should not be recognized and we should be sacrificed to selfish policies of great powers the civilised world must be sure that the solution of the Eastern question and a permanent peace on earth is absolutely impossible. Because the fate of Turkey is not only a Turkish question but it is a great problem which concerns all the mahommedans of the globe.
Files
Collection
Citation
USS Scorpion, “Press Censorship in Constantinople,” 1919 May 31, WWP15779, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.