Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-24
CAPITAL MOST REsTFUL
IN THIS TIME OF STRESS
Reports OF Riots and BloOdshed in
Constantinoplc Are Pure
Inventions.
TURKS ARE RATHER ApATHETIC
They Have Accepted War as Grim
Necessity, but Sight OF Marching
Troops in City Streets Fails tn
Arouse Their Enthusiasm.

correspondence OF Associated Press
CONSTANTINOPLE, February IS
Though the Russian feet is not pre-
vented from occasionally appearing be-
fore tho Bosporus, nor the French and
British men-of-war from occasionally
taking pot shot AZ some point along
the coast near the Dardanelles. II is diff
hcult 10 realize that Constantinople is
the solar plexus OF a country at war
with three OF the greatest nations Of
Europe.
There arc those who insist that the
population Of Turkey Is apathetic
towards the war. u is certain the peo-
pie OF this city are highly undemonstra-
tive. An event that would cause the
streets OF Berlin and Vienna to ring
with cheers leaves those OF CONSTANT
nople strangely silent. Through the
Grand Rue de Pera marched yesterday
battalion Of sturdy. we'll equipped In
fantry. headed by band Later some
cavalry passed along en- route for the
palace where tho Sultan would give
them the colors But tho populace
seemed merely Interested There was
no cheering, and the men seemed to ex-
pect none. At one corner the people
just clapped their hands a little--a very
little.
MOVING PICTURE SHOWS
AROUSE ENTHUSIASM
But at moving picture show-of
which Constantinople has a good many
films showing Turkish soldiers some
where. German troops In Poland, and
Austro- Hungarians in Galicia, were
heartily applauded.
ipic ~
Minister OF Finance. Minister Of Marine,
and UP to few days ago. Minister OF
War told the Associated Press CORE
spondent that the Turkish public never
had welcomed any war with as much
enthusiasm as the present one The
statement seemed extraordinary In view
OF observations made in the streets and
other places where the quiet loving
Turks congregate. But there is no
doubt that the war. oven II not ex-
tremeiy popular, Is at least accepted as
sort OF grim necessity. Bread Is 90
per cent higher than 1t used to be- and
cheese and olives. tho two other staples
OF the Ottoman, have doubled in price.
Coal is extremely scarce and of poor
quality. and petroleum is high in price
and hard TO get. Despite all this, tho
people seem to he cheerful enough
While the business OF the small mer-
chant has fallen off, 1t cannot be said
TO be very bad. The tradesmen OF Con-
stantlnople are better off. Because of
the lack OF factories In which the eouip-
ment Of the army could be turned out
in large quantities, the Ottoman gov
eminent has divided it's contracts
among the small artisans. In one street
100 anvils ring day in and day out un-
der the Iron that Is being converted into
the tools needed by an army. Wood
workers are busy turning out wheels
and carts. and an army Of tailors Is
making uniforms.
LARGE FORCE OF MILITARY
QUARTERED ABOUT CITY
In and around Constantinoplo Is quar-
tered largo force of military. While
the attitude Of Bulgaria gives rise to
no apprehension. Greece is doubted, TO
say the least; nor Is there assurance
that the forces OF the triple entente
will not attempt a landing near Con-
stantinople. To meet this contingency
is tho duty OF some six army corps sta
toned In and about the capital Almost
daily part OF this garrison marches
through the streets-well uniformed
and equipped. as rule.
Through the city also move largo
army supply trains. The wagons are