ADRESS TO YOUTH

TURKISH YOUTH! Your first duty is to preserve and defend forever Turkish independence and the Turkish Republic.

This is the very foundation of your existence and your future. This foundation is your most precious treasure. In the future, too, there may be enemies both at home and abroad who may try to deprive you of this treasure. If one day you have to defend your independence and your Republic, you must perform your duty without regard for personal cost or the circumstances you are in. These circumstances may be extremely unfavourable. It may be that the enemies conspring against your independece and your Republic have won a victory unprecedented in the annals of world history. It may be that, through force and deception, all the fortresses of your beloved homeland are occupied, all its shipyards captured, all its armies dispersed and every part of your homeland invaded. What is more tragic and serious those who hold power in your country may be in error and misguided. They may even be traitors. Moreover, those in power may identify their personal interests with the political design of the invaders. The country may be improverished, ruined and exhausted.

Turkish Youth of the future! Even in such circumstances it is your duty to save Turkey's independences and the Turkish Republic. You will find the strength you need is already present in the noble blood that flows through your veins.

Mustafa Kemal ATATURK