montelatici, et al,
This might be true in a majority of cases. But as you know, there are always exceptions to the rule.
(COMMENT)
In 1918, the
Armistice of Mudros, the Ottoman Empire surrendered unconditionally to the Allied Powers.
- XVI.—Surrender of all garrisons in Hedjaz, Assir, Yemen, Syria, and Mesopotamia to the nearest Allied Commander; and the withdrawal of troops from Cicilia, except those necessary to maintain order, as will be determined under Clause V.
Armistice of Mudros, (Oct. 30, 1918), pact signed at the port of Mudros, on the Aegean island of
Lemnos, between the
Ottoman Empire and Great Britain (representing the
Allied powers) marking the defeat of the
Ottoman Empire in
World War I (1914–18).
Under the terms of the
armistice, the Ottomans surrendered their remaining garrisons in
Hejaz,
Yemen,
Syria, Mesopotamia,
Tripolitania, and Cyrenaica; the Allies were to occupy the Straits of the
Dardanellesand the
Bosporus, Batum (now in southwest Georgia), and the Taurus tunnel system; and the Allies won the right to occupy “in case of disorder” the six Armenian provinces in
Anatolia and to seize “any strategic points” in case of a threat to Allied security. The Ottoman army was demobilized, and Turkish ports, railways, and other strategic points were made available for use by the Allies.
The original unconditional surrender was made to the Allied Powers, by the Ottoman Empire, before the Turkish Government was established (29 October 1923, the Republic of Turkey).
At the
San Remo Convention (26 April 1920), the Allied Supreme Council (Principal Allied Powers of World War I )
The precise boundaries of all territories were left unspecified, to "be determined by the Principal Allied Powers" and were not finalized until several years later. The conference's decisions were the basis of the never-implemented
Treaty of Sèvres (Section VII, Art 94-97).
Turkey hereby undertakes, in accordance with the provisions of Article [132 of the Treaty of Sevres] to accept any decisions which may be taken in this connection.
Turkey rejected this treaty, after
Kemal Ataturk revolted, overthrew the Sultan and produced "facts on the ground" that nullified grants of territory to the Greeks and other concessions. The allies also quarreled over the mandates and their jurisdiction. The conference's decisions were finally confirmed, after considerable modification, by the Council of the League of Nations on 24 July 1922, and when Turkey accepted the terms of the
1923 Treaty of Lausanne. ...
The San Remo Resolution is the first international recognition of the right of the Jewish people to a "national home." Class "A" mandates were mandates that were presumed to eventually become self governing and independent.
In 1920, the Allied Powers proceeded to accomplish their goals under this agreement; understanding that Turkey will accept the terms and any decision the Allied Powers made.
Attempts in 1923 to provide the tutelage for the Arab population was rejected by the Arab Representative. Three attempts in total were made to bring the Arabs closer to self-governance --- and three times it was rejected. The Arab leaders declined these offers on the ground that it would not satisfy the aspirations of the Arab people. The aspirations apparently being the establishment of another Arab State over the remained of the territory to which the mandate applied.
In 1948, the Jewish Population did not insist that they should have "X" amount of territory allotted to them simply because of historical ties. The Jewish Immigrants, coming to the territory under the auspices of the Mandate --- exercised the self-determination --- following the "Steps Preparatory to Independence" adopted by the UN General Assembly. By contrast, “the views of the Arab community were entitled to special consideration” in that they owned land. They insisted that the UN and the Mandatory, to which the Ottoman/Turkish Government surrendered, had no authority to allocate the territory or to recognize self-determination of a formally invited and duly authorized immigrants following the UN adopted process. The Jewish population, although they claim a historical connection to the land, and that the Allied Powers recognized as having a historical connection, did not entirely rely on that aspect of the bid for independence. Whereas the Arab Palestinian did everything in its power to alienate the UN and the Allied Powers, and avoid cooperation in the process at every turn. In the end, the conditions today generally reflect that outcome and temperament. As we all know, failure to comply with the general rules and practices will normally meet with negative results.
In hindsight, how much better-off would the Palestinian be today if they had mimicked the Jewish Agency and followed the parallel of a Arab Agency? How much better-off would the Arab Palestinian be today if they had not encouraged or induced an Arab League Assault and Invasion into the territory to which the Mandate applied in 1948?
Most Respectfully,
R