The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-19

Here were W OF the most magnf-
cent lighting craft of the Kaiser's fleet,
impaired in power and speed by one
or The most sensational escapes in the
history OF naval warfare and desper-
ately in danger. They must DO ad-
United to harbor in Turkish water
without risk Of internment. Besides
the Turk vas under a special obliga-
ton not to allow n warship to pass
through the Dardanelles. There was
one way open. Inc the German Am
bassador saw 1.-THE sale of the ships
to Turkey.
There was not the slightest illusion
In any ones mind as to the full mean
ing of this act. II there were any, it
was completely dispelled by the reten-
ton OF the entire German crews and
all the officers in full commission on
these would-be Turkish ships.
The die had been cast. The signs
were set for war. Men high in au-
thority were against such blind folly.
England's promise that Turkeys neu-
trality should be safeguarded and
her territorial rights upheld was
promise enough. The Sultan and
the Crown Prince. It was persistently
rumored. were opposed to Enver and
his warlikc policy. Their influence.
however. was powerfully overrldden
by the war party. who carried the day
with a high hand.
Enlistment and German training
went on at n frenzied pace. Money
was seized by II pretcxt whatever.
as In special war taxes and In the
hunting out of the old delinqucncies
| knew of some claims presented by
the Government for building fees on
structures that had stood in the city
for half a century. Merchandise of
all kinds was seized. including silk
brocades and women's silk hose to he
used in the army!
There were manv interesting ru
mors in these days. one was that
when the poor Sultan was asked to
declare var he begged off pitifully
protesting: You know every time we
have tum-de-de-tum'' (referring to the
beat of the recruiting drum I'VE los,
much of our land. There was tum.
de-de-tum in 1912, and We lost Tripoli:
there was tum-de-de-tum in 1918 and
we lost Macedonia: now there Is tum-
de-de-tum again. and this time We
may lose everything"
One fine old gentleman of the trues'
Turkish type-and let me say tina
there are still many of them whom tn,
world hears about-told me tn,
following story to illustrate his under
standing Of the Black Sea incident.
Once. said he. Nazaredin Hodja 9th,
legendary originator OF the Turkish
folk lore) was aroused in the night b,
the sound OF quarrelling outside his
window. He threw his blanket abou
him, and in spite OF his w1fe's warn
ings and protestations he ventured gu
to learn the cause of the disturbance
He suddenly found himself surrounde,
by a band OF thieves who were quar-
relling over a big pile of booty.
Seeing Nazaredin. they left theil
quarrellinG and fell upon him. re.iev
ing him OF his blanket. He was 500
face to face again with his scoldin,
wife. What are they making all thi
noise about?' she asked. About m.
blanket was the guilty and sutiicien
answer,
After many days OF delay n timor
Gus. pathetic declaration OF war. call
ing upon Allah for support in repuls
ing his brutal attack upon an inno
cent country "a form of u~tteranc
which also betrays perhaps a bit q
German c%oloring). was issued will
great pomp In the daily papers owe
the signature of the Sultan, Mehme
", who was probably the last membe
Of the realm really TO desire wal
Rumor had 1t aaain-and this stor
/ heard from one in very high au
thority-that Enver in the Cabine
meeting, where the declaration of wa
was under discussion, drew his re
volver-perhaps the same one that /
1913 had sent a bullet through h
i'll starred rival. Nassim Pasha-an
: coolly remarked. II am for war
, Thereby the discussion was closed.
, No account of these stirring tim
is complete without some cou ,
! the part played by the American Ell
bassy, which was the only one le,