Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-09-12

Eski-Shehir, Asia Minor, Sept.
IL (by the Associated Press. Pic
turesque incidents characterized
the fall of Eski-Shehir, Kemals
great defensive bulwark to the
Greek army.
The Associated Press correspond
ent entered the city shortly after
the first units of General George
Polymenakos' victorious Third
army corps had marched in. He
found 5000 liberated Armenians
and Greeks, hysterical with emo
ton and enthusiasm, standing on
the outskirts of the city, shrieking
a ringing welcome to the invading
troops. Pale-faced men and youths
who had been in hiding from the
Turks for months, emerged furtive-
ly from their cells like spectres and
ran to extend a hand Of welcome
to the soldiers.
The last remnant of the fast
moving Kemalists had fled the
city Just an hour before. Then a
great animated spectacle began to
enfold itself.
Led by General Polymenakos and
his staff, a great human caravan,
stretching for miles and miles, be-
gan to wind into the city. A regi-
mental band struck up the Greek
national anthem. On every throat
were shouts of Long Live Greece!"
Long Live the Army!"
The soldiers had been continu-
ously on the march for nearly q
month, having started from Brussa
late In June. They had eclipsed
Sherman's great march from At
lanta to the sea and were prepared
II necessary to go to Angora.
The unending columns of men,
horses, mules, camels, automobiles,
motor trucks, ox-carts, water-buf-
lfalo, that made up the army,
formed a Kaleidoscope picture. 1t
seemed as If a mammoth Noah s
ark had suddenly emptied itself
Every animal and bird known at
the time of the flood appeared to
be represented in the Heterogeneous
cavalcade that filed through the
portals of the ancient Turkish city
I'It looks like a page from the
Bible" remarked the American
military attache to the correspond
emit
There were herds of sheep. flocks
Of geese, whole regiments of cows
clusters of chickens and every va
riety Of mascot that the soldiers
had picked UP on the way Bark;
ing cavorting dogs and even few
stray cats Joined the procession
and added to the general ANNA.
ton of the scene. Eski-shehir had
not had such a day in all its lone
history.
The all-day march of the weary
soldiers was rewarded with a re-
. certion that cheered their hearts
and stirred their emotions. In the
areor of their welcome. the OLD
women of the town embraced the
troops and little children showereo
flowers upon them. On every
tongue were exlamations of JOY anc
e1uberance. 1t was memorable
day in Greek history. Ten thou
sand Christians were hberatec
from their bondage at the hano'
of the Turk. and they wanted the
Greek soldiers to know their JOY
and gratitude.
The face of the veteran Genera
Polymenakos, as he stood upon L
perch looking down upon his be
loved troops. was eloquent WITT
contentment and admiration. Hi'
eyes filled with tears as he turned
to the correspondent and said
''They are magnificent set OF
men. They have been on the
march uninterruptedly for weeks
and their spirit has never tagged
That is truly the spirit of Greece
It can never die"
BY midnight the last OF thf
Greek legionaries had entered tht
city. The Armenian and Greek
residents who came to greet then
returned quietly to their homes
and gave thanks for this their day
of liberation. The Turkish deni'
zens of the town had long since
retired to their dwellings. depress'
ed. disappointed and sullen. Eski'
shehir, the Verdun of their de-
lenses, had fallen.
The sounds Of "reveille" came
from a distant Greek camp, ant