Page:Turkey, the great powers, and the Bagdad Railway.djvu/339

 well as with the full exercise of its sovereign rights, considers null and void the exercise in Turkey of all functions and all rights under the capitulatory régime." In particular, Russia freed Turkey "from any financial or other obligations based on international treaties concluded between Turkey and the Government of the Tsar." As regards the construction of railways in Anatolia, the Soviet Government completely reversed the former policy of Imperial Russia, which was to oppose all such railways as a strategic menace.[3] It was now provided that, "with the object of facilitating intercourse between their respective countries, both Governments agree to take in concert with each other all measures to develop and maintain within the shortest possible time, railway, telegraphic, and other means of communication," as well as measures "to secure the free and unhampered traffic of passengers and commodities between the two countries." Finally, both countries agreed to stand together in resisting all foreign interference in their domestic affairs: "Recognizing that the nationalist movements in the East," reads the treaty, "are similar to and in harmony with the struggle of the Russian proletariat to establish a new social order, the two contracting parties assert solemnly the rights of these peoples to freedom, independence, and free choice of the forms of government under which they shall live."[4]

No more complete disavowal of Russian imperialism could be desired by the New Turkey. It is by no means certain, however, that Russia will continue indefinitely to pursue so magnanimous a policy in the Near East. With the development of her natural resources and the extension of industrialism, it is not improbable that Russia—in common with the other Great Powers—will once again feel the urge to imperialism. Raw materials, markets, the maintenance of unimpeded routes of commercial