The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1920-08-11
"a 0MpARED with other capitals.
Constantinopl0 has for cen


81 Constantinopl0 has for cen
a !. turtles occupied unique posi-
ton. and because of the pecu
liar set of circumstances vital TO hrr
very existence us the capital of the
Ottomnn empire, the war affected her
In manner peculiar to herself. When
war broke out practically all the es
scntial services of the country were In
the hands OF Foreigners. German,
French ur British, and not only were
tncrc large colonies of these nationals
In the country. but i'll the capital itself
the ruling race were IN the minority,
jews, Greeks and Armenians forming
The bulk of the population ! shall not
attempt 10 discuss Turkish pnrticipa-
ton In the war, nor the vast problems
which are now presented by the col
lapse OF the Ottoman empire, snys Il
writer in the Sphere. Suffice 1t TO say
that when the Goeben arrogHntly
steamed up the Dardanellcs and after
displaying her mngnlflcence as far
north as lieraiin dropped anchor of
Seraglio Point, the die was cast, Ger.
man policy in Turkey had reached its
contamination, and one after the 9th
er, Turkey. Bulgaria. RoumaniH and
Greece We're dragged into the vortex
of war.
What has been said will serve 10 pre-
pare the reader for what ckaGg,, to
expect In the Constantinoplc he used
Ia know. In many ways, since outside
support is as necessary rs ever to the
town, changes are ut first not so ap-
parent, and the ciumbllng of the EN-
pire is ms yet but family echoed IN It's
cosmopolitan capital. Streets are ns
crowded as ever shops In the Grnnde
Rue as nrtisticnlly dressed. Prices
have scared, but the exchange Is so
heavily against the plastic that for
eigncre nrc but little affected. Turk.
ish women, who before the war were
coming out of their seclusion and dis.
cardlng the veil. are now to be seen
everywhere in public. unveiled and
gayly dressed lIomespun Broussn
silk Is the chief material employed.
cotton goods having been all but unob.
tnlnnble during the war.
The majority of the women are un.
usually well shod. and no Parisienne
wears higher heels Their shoes seem
always new II seems they are Ger
man-made Of paper, and seldom wear
for more than fortnight!
Teaching Courtesy 20 Women.
Male manners take long to accustom
themselves TO such changes in the
ways of their womenfolk, and IL never
enters their heads TO give up tram
seat to IL lady. whereby hangs tale.
One evening n British soldier entered
Il tram and saw SIX men sitting and
ak ladies standing. He was Indignant
he had d!ned. With the solemnity OF q
London policeman he approached each
man In turn. and sunmoning his one
word OF Turkish. Eide (outside)
Johnny r. and turning to lady. ma.
dam. sir down" This TIL all si1 were
seated.
The Anchorage is as crowded as ever
with shipping. only the German flag,
once predominant, IL absent. and the
American flag. previously unknown.
now quite common. Wnrships OF all
the allies ride maJesticnlly ut anchor
and once which two British ships were
engaged In battle practice IN the Sea
OF MarmorG. the inhabitants of Stan.
bout ran hither aud thither wringine
their hands and declaring TINT the
British were Smelling Stamboul sor
some inspired crime. Peace day with
Its flags and salutcs produced O curl
Gus effect. All Turkish mcn.of-war mr.,
penned up behind Galata bridge. and Il
British yeoman OF signals sends up thu
hois.s on Ghinta tower.
Everywhere are allied soldiers, Brit
ish. French. Italian. Greek. few
Americans. Russians and Serbs. Prob
ably these strike the greatest chang.
OF all. The military school ct Harbit
houses British G. ii. O.. and the smart
Highland sentries at the gate put tn,
stumbling Turkish sentrles ut TaIimt
barracks (half OF which has been re
named Caserne Macrnahon, and Is oc
cupied by French troops) to shame.
The attitude of the Turks towRrt
the English during the war is Difficult