Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-05-20
Sultan Hears of the War.


interviewing a sultan is not a sim
pie matter but it can be done as was
demonstrated by the correspondent of
The Associated Press who on April 8
was received by His Majesty Moham-
med v, and cabled to America the
view of that ruler on this war and
other subjects of vital interest to his
country. The success of this attempt
to obtain at first hand the Sultan's
view was mainly due to the fact that
The Associated Press correspondent
had witnessed the bombardment Of the
Dardanelles coast Notifications and
that His Majesty wanted to hear the
story of the bombardment from a neu-
trial, feeling, perhaps, that his en-
tourage had somewhat overdrawn the
account of the Turkish victory. He
also wanted to get an outsiders opin-
ion of the Ottoman forces guarding the
strait that leads to his capital, and
last but not least, and this may in
some parts be looked upon as unusual
for Turkey His Majesty was interest
ed in the lot of the people who had
been driven from their homes during
the bombardment.
Mohammed V. is a kindly soul-an
old man in whom the fullness of years
and the tribulations of life have pro
duced a pleasing nnellownesS Of spirit.
Two other newspapermen were per-
mitted to see the sultan. One of them
was Raymond E. Swing, of the Chicago
Daily News, who together with The
Associated Press correspondent had
gone through the bombardment of
March 18th, and the other was DR..
Emil Ludwig, correspondent of the
Berlin Tageblatt, who had also been
at the Dardenelles but had left several
days before the bombardment.
The cabled interviewed. however, did
not cover the way in which the CORES
pondents were themselves interviewed
not only by the Sultan, but by his first
aid de camp, Brigadier General H.
Saith Pacha, who received the party
and conducted them to His Majesty.
81 know it is almost impossible to
believe that the shells of the Allies did
not work greater havoc" said Saith
Pacha, when q review of conditions in
the Dardanelles forts had been given
by The Associated Press correspond
ent while awaiting presentation. mo
doubt, our enemies will say that they
did more than they have done. 1 am
glad that in this instance the world
does not to merely take our word for
it."
Saith Pacha was very sorry that a
certain lieutenant, who on many occa-
sions had distinguished himself by his
bravery, had been killed. The old
soldier regretted that the officer had
died in the manner in which he did
suffocation under small hill of earth
which a shell had thrown over him,
Poor Ha-ssan,' he sais But some of
US have to go that road of course"
Conversation drifted from one phase
of the bombardment to another. Saith
Pacha showed the greatest interest.
His Majesty is keenly interested in
what you saw" he said. Il wish you
would tell him all you know. But you
must speak rather loudly because my
ears are not as good as they used to
be-getting a little old, you know
Then a court official announced that
His Majesty was ready to receive the
visitors. Salih Pacha rose and init
mated that single file be formed. The
little procession was headed by him.
then came The Associated Press cor
respondent, Mr.. Swing and DR.. Lud-
wig. To the right and left and in the
rear walked several court attaches.
On the highly polished parquette
floor of the great central hall of the
palace lay a carpet runner. Evidently
it is etiquette to keep ones feet on
this. Saith Pacha followed the run
ner with an impressive military pre-
cision, coming almost to a complete
halt, and facing about, when a corner
was reached. In this manner a second
hall was also partly traversed. In
this hall the great stairway of the pal
ace is located. The party assembled the
steps slowly, its members having am
pie opportunity to observe the dignifed
splendor of their surroundings, the
most striking feature of which were
the srystaI balustrades of the stair
ways and Landings.
On the second floor of the building it
became evident that architect and dec
orator had been held in check. The
ceilings are tastefully decorated as are
also the walls. but generally an almost
severe plainness prevailed. To the
right of the stairway lies a short COR
ridor. Saith Pacha led the way into
this, and few steps brought the party
to door, which someone inside open
ed. Another introduction of the visi-
tors followed. This over the man to
whom the callers had been presented
disappeared through the door Of an