Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-05-27
HOW THE SULTAN
WAS INTERVIEWED
IN HIS PALACE
Associated Press Correspondent
Who Saw Dardanelles Battle
Pleased Mohammed V
by Telling the Truth.

Constantinuplc, April 9.-lntervieWing a
sultan is not n simple matter, but II can
be done, as was demonstrated by the
who on April 6 was received by His
Majesty Mohammed 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 at
tempt to obtain at first hand the sultan
view was mainly due to the fact that
the Associated Press correspondent had
witnessed the bombardmcnt of the Oar
danees coast Notifications and that Ills
Majesty wanted TO hear the story Of the
bombardment from neutral feeluS'
perhaps, that his encourage had some
what oVerdrawn the account of the TURK
ish victory He also wanted to get an
outsiders opinion 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
interested in the lot of the people who
had been driven from their homes dur
ing the bombardment.
Mohammed V is a kindly soul-an old
man in whom the fullness of years and
the tribulations of life have produced
a pleasing mellowness of spirit.
Two other newspaper men were permit
ted to see the Sultan. one of them was
Raymond T.. Swing of the Chicago Daily
News. who together with the Associated
Press correspondent had gone through
the bombardment of March Is. and the
other was DR.. Emil Ludwig, correspond
ent of the Berlin Tagehlatt who had
also been at the Dardaneles but had
left several days before the lombard
ment
The cabled interview. however, did not
cover the way in which the correspond
ents were themselves interviewed, not
only by the Sultan. but by his first aid
de camp, Brig. Gen. II. Saith Pacha.
who received the party and conducted
them to His Majesty.
Il know it is almost impossible to be-
lieve that the shells of the allies did not
work greater havoc said Salih lacha.
when review of conditions in the Oar
daneles forts had been given by the
Associated Press correspondent while
awaiting presentation mo doubt, our
enemies will say that they did more than
they have done. | am glad that In this
instance the world does not have to
merely take our word for it"
Saith Pacha was very sorry that n. GER
tain lieutenant who on many occasions
had distinguished himself by his BRAY
cry. had been killed. The old soldier
regretted that the officer had died in
the manner in which he did-suffocation
under a small hill of earth which shell
aad thrown over him. Poor lIassan,"
he said But some Of us have to go
!hat road, of course.
Conversation drifted from one phase
of the Commandment to another. Saith
Pacha showed the greatest interest.
''Hs Majesty is keenly interested in
What you saw he said. II 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 intimatod
that single file be formed The little
procession was headed by him. then
came the Associated Press correspond
ent, Mr.. Swing and DR.. Ludwig. To
The right and left and in tho rear walked
several court attaches.
On the highly polished parquette floor
Of the great central hall of the palace
lay carpet runner Evidently it IS
etiquette to keep ones feet on this
Saith Pacha followed the runner with
an impressive military precision, coming
almost to a complete halt. and facing
about. when a corner was reached. In
this manner a second hail was also
partly traversed In this hall the great
stairway of the palace Is located The
1l1 he el. itc