Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1919-12-13


ConstantInople has for CEN
turies occupied a unique posi-
tfon. and because Of the pecu
Nag set Of circumstances vital to her
TEEy existence as the capital of the
OTTOMAN empire, the war affected her
% = Hganner peculiar to herself. When
wuw broke out practically all the es-
gaWtiaa services Of the country were in
khF hands Of foreigners, German,
BEENeA or British, and not only were
zhere large colonies Of these nationals
% the country, but in the capital itself
the ruling race were in the minority,
3gwB, Greeks and Armenians forming
she bllk Of the population. I shall not
attempt to discuss Turkish participa-
don II the war, nor the vast problems
whEGh are now presented by the col
Zagse Of the Ottoman empire, says a
writer in the Sphere. Suffice it to say
1gt when the Goeben arrogantly
steamed up the Dardanelles, and after
RlRying her magnifcence as far
Mprth as Herain dropped anchor of
SaEngfiO Point, the die was east, Ger
MH policy ia Turkey had reached its
runBEmmatiOn, and one after the 9TH
81. Turkey, Bulgaria, Roumania and
Greece were dragged into the vortex
81 war.
What has been said will serve to pre-
BuTe the reader for what changes to
gEReet in the Constantinople he used
% know In many ways, since outside
support is as necessary as ever to the
aoWn, changes are at first not so APP
RarRnt, and the crumbling of the en-
RErs 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
RAwe scared, but the exchange is so
heavily against. the piastre that for
s5gners are but little affected. Turk
M w9men, who before the war were
EgEuing out Of their seclusion and dis
snrlllng the veil, are now to be seen
EsRxywhere in public, unveiled and
gAyIy dressed. Homespun Broussa
siEk is the chief material employed,
EgSt0n goods having been all but unob-
nzInabIe during the war.
The majority Of the women are I'M
wsuzKly well shod, and no Parisienne
WeArs. higher heels. Their shoes seem
M1Hays new. 1t seems they are Ger
zran-made Of paper, and seldom wear
Tor more than a fortnight
Teaching Courtesy to Women.
BlaIe manners take long to accustom
fsenseIves to such changes in the
ways Of their womenfolk, and it never
aGeezs their heads to give up tram
Eaat to a lady, whereby hangs a tale.
Nnp evening British soldier entered
tram and saw six men sitting and
nix ladies standing. He was indignant ;
Be had dined. With the solemnfty Of a
Aandon policeman he approached each
lsan IN turn, and summoning his one
Word Of Turkish, eide (outside)
B1hnny !" and turning to lady, ma
asR. sit down" This till all six we're
Ee1ied.
88s anchorage is as crowded as ever
with shipping, only the German flag,
Hce predominant, is absent, and the
american flag, previously unknown,
mgw quite common. Warships Of all
as allies ride majestically at anchor,
Aad once when two British ships were
agaged IN battle practice in the Sea
- Narlnora, the inhabitants Of Siam
nh ran hifher and thither wringing
ar hands and declaring that the
Rmh were Smelling STEAMBOAT for
ase inspired crime. Peace day with
IS Aags and salutes produced a curl
rl5 eject. All Turkish men-of-war are
euned up behind Galata bridge, and a
h yeoman of signals sends up the
B on Galata tower.
Everywhere are allied soldiers, Brit
ISL French. Italian. Greek, a few
Americans, Russians and Serbs. Prob
ely these strike the greatest change
81 ah The military school at Harbis
z British 9. II g., and the smart
na sentries at the gate put tht
ing Turkish sentries at Taxims
N1aeks (half Of which has been re-
HDed Gaserne MacmahOn. and IS oe
ie1 BY French troopsl 70 shame.
4he attitude Of the Turks toward
English during the war IS dif3cul