The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1918-10-29
where MANY MILLIONS
ARE HIDDEN IN VAULTS
m TURKISH GREEN VAULTS ARE
KFpT THE GREATEST TREAS
URES IN THE WORLD.


LONDON, England.-If the Turk
i driven out of Europe, as is gener-
oIIv predicted will be one of the re-
snI+s Of the war, it will require a
feet Of boats to carry the personal
wealth of the Sultan across the Bos-
phorus.
In the Green Vaults of the Porte
lies hidden away what is perhaps the
greatest treasure in the world, collect
ed for centuries by Turkeys greedy
rulers and boarded away from the
GAZE of any inquisitive mortal. No
one has ever been able to estimate
the value of the Sultan's jewels, for
the treasures are guarded day and
night. There are at least twelve sets
of heavily-barred doors to pass be-
fore the actual entrance is reached
to this Aladdin's cave. For every
lock there are two keys entrusted to
as Hduy CuSGouloIISS SotCH having
twenty-four guards. These are sup
posed to spy on each other as well
as protect the guardians of the keys.
The Geen Vaults of Constatio, as
the treasure caves are called, are
within the grounds of the Porte. APP
preached through a court called
Dar-es-Sa'ad court of Felici-
3 20 70 ho Il
fee with an interesting doorway, en-
riched with marbles and tiles.
Set and Unset Precious Stones.
The jewels appear to consist main
ly of set and unset precious stones.
All information regarding them, how
ever is kept secret, because of the
impoverished condition Of the coun-
try, and if the exact amount of the
Sultan's wealth was discovered GER
tain INSCRIPTIONS leaders, such as
Enyer Pasha, who is now on the
outs with his royal master, might
be tempted to lead a band to "break
in and steal" For years it has been
common gossip in the European cap
itals, however, that if a person offer
ed $4,000, 100000 for the Green
Vaults and secured their contents he
would make a great bargain.
Perhaps the throne of beaten gold,
adorned with millions of rubies,
pearls, diamonds, sapphires and en-
eralds, set in mosaic, is the most daz-
zllng object in the treasury of the
Shadow of God on Earth" How
Selim |. ever brought it from Persia
away back in the fifteenth century,
when travelling was so difficult, is
quite beyond human comprehension.
Nowhere in World Like 1t.
Nowhere in the world are there
precious stones to compare with the
TWO great emeralds which adorn the
top Of the Sultan's throne. One of
them weighs four pounds and the
other is only a trife smaller.
On table of ebony and sandal
wood, within reach of the throne,
stands marvellous golden tankard
encrusted with 1000 diamonds. By
Its side lies platter wrought of the
purest gold and literally veneered
with diamonds. On the ground sur
rounding this dazzling sight are
scattered thousands of rubies, pearls,
turQuois and emeralds, mingled with
eAQulSltely-carved diamond buttons.
Effigies Of Sultans.
There are efigies of the Sultans
cad IN robes of state from 1451 to
I659, with jewels on the feathers of
tner turbans, daggers and swords
winch are priceless, as are the won
deriul rubies and emeralds in the
clasps of Ibraham and Solyman II.
NO museum in the world can boast
d richer collection of armor, scimi-
lars, shields, pistols, saddles, san
uaIS, canes and the like, all beiew-
e1ed or wrought of gold.
when the Sultana gives a banquet
IN N, her harem the treasury is gener-
ally raided for the occasion. At
one OF these revels some years ago
bouquets of diamond flowers stretch
IuS from shoulder to shoulder were
S Sorh by the Sultan's favorites. The
ouItana herself was adorned with
aoPeS Of pearls of unparalleled size,
Ino IN her ears were birds the size of
butterflies holding in their beaks
sparkling gems.
IN the language of the street. it
UJIlanly will be "some" moving day
wnen the Sultan is forced to pack
~ MS belongings and move.