Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1915-12-17

Efficiency In Conducting War Strik-
ingly Illustrated.
Nothing better illustrates the Ger
man system Of conducting the war
than the manner In which their rail-
ways are operated. In a couple of days
after the fall of Warsaw the Germans
had through express trains In opera
ton between Brussels and the Russian
city, going through Berlin. Now, since
they have opened the way to Turkey,
the German railroad officials are ready
to establish through service between
Berlin and Constantinople via Vienna
and Sofia. A glance at the map Illus
trates the magnitude Of this achieve
ment, as the distance is approximate
ly 1900 miles.
Interest in the war is now centered
around the Turkish capital and In
Greece, and many close observers are
of the opinion that the result depends
on the outcome in the Balkans. Thus
Constantinople is one Of the most in
teresting cities in all Europe at this
time.
ConstantinOple extends far beyond
the ancient walled city Of the emper-
ors, which only covered the promon-
tory known today as StambouL This
promontory, bounded on the north by
the poetic Golden Horn, which, extend
ing some miles inland, forms perhaps
the most magnificent harbOr In the
world, and on the south by the blue
waters of the Marmora, is indeed the
most enchanting part Of the city, but
the present population, estimated at
about million and a quarter, could
not be housed within its borders. Fac
ing the eastern side of Stamboul, on
the Asiatic shores of the Bosporus and
Marmora, stand the ancient cities Of
Calcedon (Kadikewy) and Chrysopolis
(ScutarD. These now form part of
Constantinople. Across the Golden
Horn to the north, up the slopes of the
hill crowned by Galata tower. built by
the Genoese, houses upon houses are
so crowded together that, looked at
from the sea, it would seem as though
there were no streets to separate them.
Many Villages on Shores.
The shores of the BospOrus are
strewn with villages. some insignif-
cant, some fairly considerable, all of
them part of the city. To the west,
beyond the Leven towers and the mag
nifcent marble gate through which the
emperors rode in splendor, numerous
other villages have sprung up, and to-
day Constantinople may be said to ex-
tend to a length of some twenty miles.
The coast running south from Kadi-
kewy and the Princes islands is also
included in the city, so that in width,
too, there is very great difference
since the days of the Turkish conquest.
Constantine founded his capital in
1928, and for LOO years it was
Christian city. Walking the narrow
streets today one comes across here
mosque which was once Christian
church, there Greek inscription, here
a column with beautiful capital, there
the foundation of a once cleaning
bronze column. But most wonderful
of all stands that noble edifice, the
church, now mosque, Of St Sophia.
Built on the top of the first hill, i'm
mediately behind the site of the en-
perors palace, 1t dominates the city.
Its dome, outlined against the horizon,
catches the eye from every point Of
view
What has st. Sophia not seen? The
crowning Of emperors with all the
pomp and ceremony, expresses riding
in state into the spacious ladies' gal
lery, quarrels, intrigues and, lastly, a
conquered emperor fleeing to 1t for
refuge from the invading Turk. All
these form a succession of events
whose narrative holds one in spell.
The conquering Turk did not in any
way lessen the romance Of the life in
the city, and today the charm is still
there. Who, having once threaded his
way through the fascinating bazaars,
does not picture again the quaint shops
with venders sitting cross legged on
the floor, the curious old arches, the
oriental crowds in their gay colors?
Since the revolution and counter
revolution of 1909 much has been done
to improve the general aspect of the
city, and also to facilitate communi-
cation. A splendid new bridge has
been thrown across the Golden Horn,
streets have been wtdened and paved,
electric trans have taken the place Of
horse trans, public parks have been
opened In various parts Of the city,
the Turkish postoffice has been re-
organized, and last. but not least, a
telephone system has been established.
The Turk is polite to a fault He is
often shocked by the brusqueness of
the westerner. His sense of humor is
large. His inimitable way of story
telling is proverbial. Those who have
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