Evening star., 1915-04-08
SULTAN OF TURKEY CONFIDENT
DARDANELLES FORTS ARE SAFE
Receives American Newspaper Correspond
ents and Discusses Attack Aimed
at His Capital

I Dardanelles, but also those Germans who
nave 80 efficiently and bravely Cooper
ated with them.
II would thank you if you would say
| for me that my admiration for the Cor
man troops in the east and the west IL
| SO great that 1t is impossible for me
| to express in words my high opinion
| of their valor and efficiency. Concern
William, I can only say we in Turkey
nay that he may enjoy the best OF
health for many years.
Il have seen stories in the newspa-
pers asserting that the German en-
peror is on the verge of a breakdown
but l assure you that ] place no faith
In what part of the press alleges nova
days. ! regret having to say that, but
no other course is possible.
Proud of Iron Crosses.
The sultan was Informed that EN-
peror William was sending with Field
Marshal Won der Goltz iron crosses
of the first and second classes. with
which he intended to decorate his mai
esty, and the sultan appeared highly
pleased.
'I am proud of being presented with
medals which decorate so many brave
So far the sultan had occupied him
self entirely with recent developments In
the Dardanelles. Addressing himseif 70
the American correspondents present, he
now said; Il am pleased TO see .na'
two American journalists had an oppor-
tunity to witness the attempts to force
the Dardanelles I value the opinion OF
neutrals highly and wish to avail mysen
of this opportunity to express the great
est satisfaction that the relations between
the United States and Turkey are 80 cor
dial"
With this his majesty indicated by
slight movement of the hand that the
audience was ended. Although In his
the divan with alacrity and shook hands
with the correspondents in democratic
fashion and, as at the beginning OF the
audience, expressed his pleasure at hav-
ing made their acquaintance.
Ceremony Of Reception.
The audience took place at Dolma-
baghcheh Palace. Brig. Gen Salih Pasha,
tho sultan.s first aid-de- camp. acting as
marshal Salih Pasha received the cor
respondents and entertained them with
huge cigarettes and coffee. little
later a court official announced that his
majesty was ready for the audience
Then followed a long march through
magnificent halls decorated In European
style, and finally splendid stairway
with crystal balustrade was ascended to
the second HOOT, "neFe MS HidJcSly was
waiting In a small, plainly furnished pri-
vate parlor-
The audience was somewhat remark
able because of the absence of any
thing to remind one Of the orient. The
sultan was seated on divan, but arose
upon the entry of the correspondents
and returned their salutations warmly.
He then invited them to seats, which
was an unusual honor, for all but the
highest officials are usually left stand
ing.
His majesty expressed his pleasure
at meeting men who had been in the
Dardanelles. and, on behalf of the jour-
nalists, the Associated Press corre-
spondent thanked his majesty for the
cordial reception. This done. the sui
remark: Kindly relate your expert
ences during your stay on the Darda-
nelles."
Sultan in Good Health.
The sultan seemed to be in the best
Of health. He wore the conventional
red calpac or fez Of Turkey-the en-
low white collar, gray cravat, blue
serge suit and black shoes Of comfort
able cut. but no jewelry of any sort.
The room was extremely plain, but
seemed to be compromise between
i .rkish and western art. In the CRATE
cracked a cheerful nre; outside the
rain was beating down. hiding most Of
the city and the Asiatic coast
Although located almost In the GEN.
ter of Galata-Pera, on the Bosporus,
the palace is very quiet. owing to the
fact that 1t IS cut of from the streets
by large gardens. laid out mostly in
Italian style
by Mehmed v. to American newspaper
men.