“Can you see any motive for this disastrous policy in Constantinople?”
“I can only suppose that, for some reason, Mr. Lloyd George simply refused to listen to the advice of everyone who knew Turkey, in favour of friends entirely ignorant of the whole subject. I am almost disposed to think he did not even consult his own Foreign Minister.”
“Why did you not go to Lausanne?” I asked.
“Well, I was not invited. Lord Curzon and Ismet Pasha appear to understand each other; and they have clever experts at the Conference.”
“Do you not feel, however, that a “prejudiced” expert may do even more harm than the Premier’s ‘men,’ who knew nothing?”
“If you can prove they are prejudiced, yes.”
“In my view, when the Turks mistrust them, it is enough.”
“That, surely, is not for me to say.”
I much fear it was “mistaken” modesty, which led General Harington to think that his presence would “make no difference” at Lausanne.