The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-11-22

saw that my TASK was to be a difficult
one. | had arranged with the Turk
ish authorities for two trains: one for
the English and French residents. which
was to leave at Z o'clock, and one for
the diplomats and their stats, which
was to go at .. But the arrangements
were not working according to sched-
ule. The station was a Surging mass
Of excited and frightened people; the
police were there in full force, pushing
the crowds back; the scene was an In
describable mixture Of soldiers, gen.
darmes, diplomats, baggage, and Turk
ish functionaries.
one OF the most conspicuous figures
was Berdi Bey, project OF police, a
LAWYER politician, who had recently
been elevated to this position, and who
keenly realized the Importance OF MS
new office. Bedri was an intimate
friend and political subordinate of Ia
laat and one of his most valuable tools.
He ranked high in the committee OF
union and progress and asplred ulti-
mately to obtain a cabinet position.
Perhaps his most impelling motive was
his hatred Of foreigners and foreign
influence. In his eyes Turkey was the
land exclusively OF the Turks; he de-
spised all the other elements In Its
population and he particularly resented
the control which the foreign embassies
had for years eXerted in the domestic
concerns of his country. Indeed, there
were few men in Turkey with whom
the permanent abolition Of the capitu-
lations was such a serious matter. Nat
urally in the next few months l saw
much of Bedri, he was constantly
crossing my path, taking an almost
malicious pleasure in interfering with
every move which | made in the in
terest Of the foreigners. His attitude
was half provoking, halt-Joculari we
were always trying TO outwit each
other-I attempting to protect the
French and British, Bedri always turn
ing up as an obstacle to my efforts;
the fight for the foreigners, indeed,
almost degenerated into a personal duel
between the project of police and the
we'll educated. very agile and not par
ticularly i~ll-natured, but he loved 10
toy with a helpless foreigner. Nat
urally. he found his occupation this
evening n c%ongenial one.
whats all the trouble about?' l
asked Berdi.
I'VE have changed our minds" he
said, and his manner showed that the
change had not been d~ispleasing to
him. I'VE shall let the train go that
Is to take the ambassadors and their
stats. But we have decided not TO
let the unofficial classes leave-the
train that was to take them will not
go"
MY staff and myself had worked hard
to get this safe passage for the enemy
nationals, Now apparently some IN
fluenCe had negatiVed u efforts. m
sudden change in plans was producing
the utmost confusion n CONSERVATION.
At the station there were two groups
of passengers, one of which could go
and the other Of which could moi. The
British and French ambassadors did
not wish to leave their nationals be-
hind. and the latter, refused to believe
that their train. which the Turkish Of
ficials had definitely promised, would
not start some time that evening. !
Immediately called up Enver, who sub
stantiated Bedri's statement. turkey
had many subjects in Egypt, he said,
whose situation was causing great
anxiety. Before the French and Eng
lish residents could leave Turkey, as
suranCes must be given that the rights
OF Turkish subjects in these countries
would be protected. l had no Gill
Guilty in arranging this detail, for Sir
Louis Mallet Immediately gave the nee.
essaTy However, this did
not settle the matter; indeed, 1t had
been little more than a pretext. Bedri
still refused to let the train start the
order holding it UP, he said, could NOT
be rescinded, for that would now dis-
arrange the general schedule and might
cause accidents. | recognized all this
as mere Turkish evasion n | knew
that the order had come from a higher
source than Bedrti still pothing could
be done at that moment. Moreover,
Bedri would let no one get on the
diplomatic train until 1 had personally
Identified him, So ! had to stand at
a little gate and pass upon each ap-
plicant. Everyone, whether lie belonged
TO the diplomatic corps or not, attempt
ed to force himself through this mar
row p~assageway. n we had an old
fashioned Brooklyn bridge crush on a
small scale, People were running in all
directions, checking baggage, purchase
ing tickets. arguing with officials, con-
soling distracted women and frigfft-
ened children, while Bedri, calm and
collected, watched the whole pande-
monium with an unsyppathetic smile.
Hats were knocked off, clothing was
torn, and, to add to. the confusion,
Mallet, the British ambassador, became
involved in a set-to with an officious
Turk-the Englishman winning first
honors easily; II ] caught a glimpse
OF Bompard, the French ambassador,
vigorously shaking a Turkish police
man. One lady dropped her baby in
my arms, later another handed me a
small boy, ana still later, when | was
standing at the gate, identifying Tur-
keys departing guests, n Of the Brit
ish secretaries made me the custodian
Of his dog, Meanwhile, Sir Louis NAL
let became ~obstreperous and refused to
leave.
Il shall stay here" he said, unit
the last British subject leaves Turkey. -
But / told him that he vas no longer
the protector of the British; that /, as
American ambassador, had assumed
this responsibility; and that l could
hardly assert myself in this capacity
II he remained in Constantinople.
Certainly" l said, the Turks would
not recognize mi as in charge OF Brit.
ish interests II you remain here"
Moreover. | suggested that he remain
at D~edeagatch for a few days, and
await the arrival OF his fellow British
Sir Louis reluctantly accepted my point
Of view and boarded the train. As tn,
train left the station | caught my fina
glimpse Of the British ambassador, sit,
ting in a private car, almost buried IL
a mass OF trunks, satchels, boxes ant
diplomatic pouches, surrounded by hi
embassy staff, and sy%mpathetlcan,
watched by his secretary's dog.