Abstract:

While it was within its confins, in the Agreement between the Ankara government and France on 20 October 1921 and the Lozan Peace Treaty, Turkey, while containing some autonomous provisions, agreed that Hatay would remain in Syria. Ataturk, who sees Hatay as a "personal matter", has shown the intention and determination of Turkey by saying that "three centuries of Turkish land cannot remain in wild hands." The picture that appeared in Europe in the second half of the 1930s led the relations of Turkey with Britain and France to a alliance. In this process, the end of France’s mandate administration in Syria, Turkey saw it as an opportunity for Hatay. At the end of the talks, Hatay first gained autonomy, then an independent structure, and finally the Hatay parliament held its last meeting on June 29, 1939 with a decision it unanimously made to Turkey. While its relationship with Syria went to the previous years, Italy’s activity towards the region increased in the 1930s. Mussolini Italy, which founded its entire foreign policy on colonialism, planned to settle in Syria if France withdrew. Therefore, the signing of the Turkish-French treaty on the Sancak issue on 23 June 1939 raised the Italian state and the press. In the Italian press, articles that criticize the Turkish-English-French proximity began to come out. The original reaction was shown by the Italian government and Italy gave a note to France on 10 July 1939. In this note, referring to the Turkish-French treaty of 23 June 1939, according to the decision made between Britain, France and Italy on 24 April 1920 in San Remo, it stated that such treaty would not be made without the knowledge and consent of Italy. This note played a negative role in the relations between Turkey and Italy, which is already undergoing a deep period of uncertainty. The issue was not limited to the relations between Turkey and Italy. The reaction of Italy to Turkey is just as directed to the coalition between Turkey-England-France.

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Abstract:

According to the Sykes-Picot Treaty of 1916, Syria was promised to France. After the Armistice of Mudros, the French occupied the Sanjak of Alexandretta. The Government of Ankara declared that this region was in National Pact because there was occupied after the armistice. Alexandretta, had remained outside of the Turkish national borders by Ankara Agreement of October 1921 while it had been accepted within the borders of National Pact. With a special status, the Sanjak of Alexandrettta was included to the territory of Syria that was under French mandate at that time. Hatay problem had emerged in 1936 due to the decision of France giving independence to Syria. Turkey, requested the transfer of Alexandretta to Turkey. Hatay first became an independent state. Hatay Assembly, decided to annexation Turkey on June 29, 1939. Italy joined the issue during this period and gave the French government a protest note on July 10, 1939. The Italian government said: Italy’s government, has learned from the press that French and Turkish governments were signed an treaty for the transfer of the Sanjak of Alexandretta in Turkey on June 23. This decision is contrary to the decision of the Supreme Council of Allied Powers, which was convened in San Remo, Italy, on 24 April 1920. In order for such a decision to be made, Italy should have knowledge and permission. This decision is against the desire of the people of the region. For these reasons, Italy puts all kinds of reserves into the Turkish-French Treaty. This reaction of Italy was not very effective in the official circles of Ankara and Paris. Italy’s involvement in this issue, which has nothing to do with it, is about the problems of Syria and the Near East rather than the Hatay problem. Italy has planned to establish an event in the Near East region. The most emphasized point for Italy in the interwar period is: After the war, in the Near East region, England and France were given mandate but Italy was not given a mandate. Turkey, Britain and France to come to the level of an alliance relationship, were influential in Italian politics.