The Daytona daily news. [volume] (Daytona, Fla.) 1903-1926, 1915-12-13

City Has 6rown Far Beyond
Walls Of Ancient Capital
MANY IMPROVEMENTS NOTED

Germans Soon to Have Express Trains
Running Between Berlin and Turkish
City Via Vienna and Sofia-Thsir
Efficiency In Conducting War Strik-
insly Illustrated.
Nothing better illustrates the Ger
man system of conducting the war
than the manner In which their rail-
ways are operated. In 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
" 1000 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
IN the outcome in the Balkans Thus
'onStantinople Is one of the most in
eresting cities in all Europe at this
isNe
ne ancient walled city of the emper-
Is. which only covered the promon-
or known today as Stamboul This
rcfauniory. bounded on the north by
4 roe = Golden Horn. which, extend
ag some miles inland, forms perhaps
the most magnificent harbor in the
Ord. and on the south by the b4ue
waters of the Marmora, is indeed the
most enchanting part of the city, but
the present population. estimated at
about a million and quarter. could
not be housed within its borders. Fac
ing the eastern side of STEAMBOAT. on
the Asiatic shores of the Bcsporus and
Marmora, stand the ancient cities of
Calcedon Qxadikewy) and Chrysopolis
(ScutarD. These now form part of
Constantinople. Across the Golden
Horn to the north, up the slopes of the
hin 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 insignifi-
cant, some fairly considerable. all OF
them part Of the city. To the west
beyond the Leven towers and the mag
nihcent 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 Kadf
kewy and the Princes islands is also
included In the city, so that in width
too. there is a very great difference
since the days of the Turkish conquest
| Constantine founded his capital In
| 32S, and for LOO years 1t was 9
| Christian city. Walking the narrow
| streets today one comes across here
| mosque which was once a Christian
| church, there Greek inscription, here
a column with beautiful capital. there
L
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-
| peror's 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
browning of emperors with all the
| pomp and ceremony, expresses riding
in state into the spacious ladies' gal
lery. quarrels, intrigues and, lastly. 9
conquered emperor fleeing to it fol
refuge from the invading Turk. AL
| these form q succession of events
whose narrative holds one In spell
The conquering Turk did not In any
| way lessen the romance of the life III
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 shop.
with vendors sitting cross legged OF
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 hal
been thrown across the Golden Horn
streets have been widened and paved
electric trans have taken the place o.
horse trans, public parks have beer
opened in various parts of the city
the Turkish postoff1ce has been re
organized. and last, but not least, {
telephone system has been esta blished
The Turk is polite to fault He 4
often shocked by the brusqueness O
the westerner. His sense of humor Il
large. His inimitable way of stor.