Asia Minor: A Tempting Wealth
of Natural Resources


By Stavros T. Stavridis

This official, 3-page U.S Department of Commerce document [below] dated April 4, 1920 is based on excerpts from reports by American representatives posted in London and the Hague concerning financial and industrial conditions .

The most important information is found on page 2 listing “all mines, mineral deposits oil and coal fields in Asiatic Turkey, Palestine, Syria and Mesopotamia.” This information had been prepared by German engineers in 1917.

There is no doubt that if Germany had won the 1914-18 war, German business groups would have lined up to exploit the riches of Asiatic Turkey at the expense of other European powers and the United States.

Stavros T.Stavridis, Historian and Researcher, National Center for Hellenic Studies and Research, Latrobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia

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About the Author

Stavros Terry Stavridis was born in Cairo, Egypt in 1949 of Greek parents. He migrated to Australia with his parents in September 1952. Stavros has a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Political Science/Economic History and B.A (Hons) in European History from Deakin University and M.A in Greek/Australian History from RMIT University. His MA thesis is titled "The Greek-Turkish War 1919-23: an Australian Press Perspective."

Stavros has nearly 20 years of teaching experience, lecturing at University and TAFE (Technical and Further Education, the equivalent of Community College in the US) levels. He has presented papers at international conferences in Australia and USA and has also given public lectures both in Australia and on the West Coast of the US. Many of his articles have appeared in the Greek-American press. He currently works as a historical researcher at the National Center for Hellenic Studies and Research, Latrobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.

Stavros' research interests are the Asia Minor campaign and disaster, Middle Eastern history, the Assyrian and Armenian genocides, Greece in the Balkan Wars 1912-13 and the First World War and history in general.

HCS maintains a large selection of fine pieces written by Mr. Stavridis which viewers are invited to view at the URL http://www.helleniccomserve.com/stavridisone.html

Read More About the Greeks of Asia Minor

HCS readers who enjoyed this article may wish to view others about Smyrna and Asia Minor in our section specially created for these topics at the URL http://www.helleniccomserve.com/smyrnaopener.html. We also maintain a permanent, extensive archives of articles which readers are invited to browse at the URL http://www.helleniccomserve.com/archivesmyrnaasiaminor.html .


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