The Tomahawk., 1919-12-18


turies occupied a unique posi-
tion. and because Of the pecu
liar set Of circumstances vital to her
very existence as the capital of the
Ottoman empire, the war affected her
in a manner peculiar to herself. When
war broke out practically all the es-
sential services of the country were in
the hands of foreigners, German,
French or British, and not only were
there large colonies Of these nationals
In the country, but in the capital itself
the ruling race were In the minority,
Jews, Greeks and Armenians forming
the bulk of the population. shall not
attempt to discuss Turkish participa-
ton in the war, nor the vast problems
which are now presented by the col
lapse Of the Ottoman empire, says q
writer in the Sphere. Suffice it to say
that when the Goeben2 arrogantly
steamed up the Dardapelles, and after
displaying her magpiflcence as far
north as Heraf1n dropped anchor of
Seraglio Point, the die was cast, Ger
man policy in Turkey had reached its
consummation. and one after the 9TH
er, Turkey. Bulgaria, Roumania and
Greece were dragged into the vortex
of war.
What has been said will serve to pre-
pare the reader for what changes to
expect in the Constantinople he used
to know. In many ways, since outside
support is as necessary as ever to the
town, changes are at first not so ap-
parent, and the crumbling Of the en-
pire is as yet but family echoed in its
Cosmopolitan capital. Streets are as
crowded as ever, shops in the Grande
Rue as artistically dressed. Prices
have scared, but the exchange. is so
heavily against the piastre that for
eigners are but little affected. Turk
ish women, who before the war were
coming out of their seclusion, and dis
carding the veil, are now to be- seen
everywhere in public, unveiled and
gayly dressed. Homespun ! Broussa
silk is the chief material employed,
cotton goods having been all but unob-
tainable during the war.
! The majority Of the women are un-
usually we'll shod, and no Parisienne
wears higher heels. Their shoes seem
always new. It seems they are Ger
i,man-nade Of paper. and seldom wear
for, more than. a fortnight!
Teaching Courtesy TO Women:
Male manners take long to accustom
themselves to such changes in the
ways Of their womenfolk, and It never
enters their heads to give up tram
seat to lady, whereby hangs tale.
One evening a British soldier entered
a tram and saw six men sitting and
six ladies standing. He was indignant;
he had dined. With the solemnity OF
London policeman he approached each
man in turn, and summoning his, one
word Of Turkish, eide <outside)s
Johnny!" and turning to lady, ''Ma-.
dam, sit down" This till all six were
seated. EErs* -. -
The anchorage Is as crowded as ever
with shipping only the German flag,
once pfedominant, Is absent and the,
American flag, previously unknown,
now quite common. Warships Of all
the allies ride majestically at anchor,
and once when two British ships were
engaged in battle practice IN the Sea
of Marmora,, the inhabitants Of Stam-
boul ran hither and thither wringing
their hands and declaring that the
British were shelling Stamboul for
some inspired crime. Peace day with
its flags and salutes produced q curl
Gus effect. All Turkish men-of-war are
penned up behind Galata bridge, and q
British yeoman Of signals sends up the
hoists on Galata tower. sad,
Everywhere are allied soldiers. Brit
ish, French, Italian, Greek, a few
Americans, Russians and Serbs. Prob
ably these strike the greatest change
Of all. The military school at Harbie
houses British G. 81. O., and the smart
Highland sentries at the gate put the
shambling Turkish sentries at Taxime
barracks (haf Of which has been re-
named Caserne Macmaho1. and is oc-
cupied by French troops) 20 shame. .
The attitude Of the Turks toward
the English during the war Is dimcult