Britain and the Greek-Turkish war and settlement of 1919-1923: the pursuit of security by "proxy" in Western Asia Minor (original) (raw)

Britain agreed to a plan that called for a Russian occupation of the Straits and Constantinople in the event of the Ottoman Empire's dismemberment. The events in Russia, that is, its withdrawal from the alliance, changed British policy again. With the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk signed with the Central Powers on 3 March 1918, Russia and its leaders renounced all its previous claims and participation in dismemberment schemes. 5 Namely the 1907 Anglo-Russian Convention over spheres of influence in Asia. However, the question of the Straits was not directly discussed. 6 With the Treaty of London (1840), the Straits Convention (184 1), the Treaty of Paris (185 6), the Treaty of London (187 1) and with the decisions of the Congress of Berlin (1878). 7 The treaties are discussed in this Chapter: 'British strains and strengths at home and abroad in the aftermath of the War. ' p. 35. The Straits once again needed 'another protector. '8 The Balkan Wars of 1912-3 was'the cause for another retreat of Britain's backing to the Ottoman Empire. The armed conflict in this sensitive part of the world was putting British interests in danger: the Ottoman Empire was on the verge of a final collapse, facing the united forces of its former subjects. It was also the time in which Greece appeared for the first time as a potential stronghold in the eyes of several British politicians. 9 Greece had proved capable of becoming a major power in the area, defeating the Ottoman Empire that seemed even more ready to revert completely to German influence. 10 A factor that had worked in favour of Greece during this period was the Greek Prime Minister, Eleftherios Venizelos, who had undertaken the leadership of the country since 1910, and had been an ardent supporter of pro-British feelings. ýHis attitude was epitomised with the outbreak of the war., The Great War and the Ottoman entry on the side of the Triple Alliance, on 31 October 1914, had also been the event destined to alter the British attitude towards the Ottoman Empire. Greece seemed to have two alternatives, given the British supremacy in the Mediterranean, neutrality or war on the side of the Entente. Venizelos came out strongly for a policy of war, on the side of the Entente Powers as early as in August 1914. However, Constantine I, the King of Greece, brother-in-law of the German Kaiser, despite his pro-German feelings, 8 The end of the War witnessed the fall of the Straits zone and Constantinople to the Allies. The Armistice of Mudania (November 1918) catered for the opening of the Straits and gave to the Allies 'the right to occupy any strategic points, in the event of a situation arising which threatens the security of the Allies. ' Great Britain, Parliamentary Papers, Cmd. 53, Terms ofthe, 4rmistices concluded between the, 41lied Governments and the Governments of Germany, 4 ustria-Hungary and Turkey (HMSO, 1919). See also Chapter Two: 'The Armistice of Mudros-Allied tactics and British preponderance. ' p. 62. 9 The Balkan Wars constitute a landmark for Greek history, through joint military action with its Balkan neighbours the country acquired a major part of Macedonia, South Epirus, some of the Aegean islands and Crete. Greece had mobilised an army of 282,000 during the course of the two Balkan Wars, 1912-3. Andr6 Andr6a&s, Les effets iconomiques et sociaux de la guerre en Gr&e (Paris, 1928), p. 5. '0 For a survey of German-Ottoman relations prior to the Great War see U. Trumpener, 'Germany and the End of the Ottoman Empire, ' in The Great Powers and the End ofthe Ottoman Empire, ed. by M. Kent (London, 1984), pp. 111-140.