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Straits (Dardanelles and Bosporus)

1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

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"STRAITS (DARDANELLES AND BOSPORUS. ) - The waterway formed by the Dardanelles, the Sea of Marmora and the Bosporus, which connects the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, has possessed marked political importance from the earliest times. This importance, however, grew with increasing rapidity during the 20th century. The increase of population, the growth of commerce, the construction of railways, and the rise of nations in the basin of the Black Sea, enormously added to the political and military significance of the Straits. And while these factors gained in weight yearly, the Ottoman Empire, which held the guardianship of the Straits, declined yearly in vigour and strength. Correspondingly, it became more and more the object of national intrigue and ambition on the part of foreign Powers, whose designs would benefit were they in a position to control the Straits themselves.

These matters received forcible illustration during the World War. Problems having their origin in the existence of the Straits became then of supreme importance, even to the extent of prolonging or shortening the period of war. At the Peace Conference, too, questions of the Straits became acute. The seaborne commerce of the loo million inhabitants occupying the basin of. the Black Sea must perforce pass through the Straits. By railway communication with central Asia this region, too, is concerned with control of the Straits. The traditional Russian ambition for a warm water port looked to Constantinople and the Straits for fulfilment; and in 1915 the Powers in alliance with Russia accepted the Russian claim to the great position. Apart from Russia and Turkey, three states - Georgia, Rumania and Bulgaria - had a coast-line confined to the Black Sea, and therefore depend upon the Straits as the one route for their maritime trade with the outer seas. To Germany, control of the Straits in war by her ally Turkey meant the isolation and strangling of her enemies, Russia and Rumania. In fact the closing of the Straits at this time had much to do with the collapse of Russia, the outbreak of the revolution, and the prolongation of the war. With such possibilities and interests hanging upon them, the Peace Conference dealt comprehensively with the Straits in the Treaty of Sevres. Under this treaty they were thrown open to all navigation in peace and war, without distinction of flag, and blockade of these waters was prohibited. An International " Commission of the Straits " was established to control the waterway. And still further to ensure that military interruption should not take place, a demilitarized "Zone of the Straits " was created, embracing all adjoining coastal territory. Within this area all military works and fortifications were to be razed, and the construction of similar works was forbidden.

(W. J. C.*)