Graham guardian., 1921-01-21

~ Constantinople has for cen.
ia turtles Occupied auniQue posi-
ton, 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. l shall not
attempt to discuss Turkish particlpa-
ton In the war, nor the vast problems
which are now presented by the col
lapse of the Ottoman empire, says a
writer in the Sphere. Suffice 1t to say
that when the Goeben arrogantly
steamed up the Dardanelles, and after
displaying her magnificence as far
north as Herafin dropped anchor off
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 APP
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-
tGinable during the war.
The majority Of the women are un-
usually well shod, and no Parisienne
wears higher heels. Their shoes seem
always new. 1t seems they are Ger
man-made of paper, and seldom wear
for more than a fortnight
Teaching Courtesy to Women.
,Iale manners take long to accustom
themselves to such changes in the
Ways OF their womenfolk, and it never
enters their heads to give up a tram
seat to lady, whereby hangs tale,
One evening British soldier entered
tram and saw six men sitting and
six ladies standing He was indignant
he had dined. With the solemnity Of a
London policeman he approached each
man in turn, and summoning his one
word of Turkish, 'Eide (outside)
Johnny" and turning to lady, ma
dam. sit down." This till all six were
seated.
The anchorage is as crowded as ever
with shipping, only the German flag
once predominant 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 STAN
boul ran hither and thither wringinl
their hands and declaring that the
British were shelling Stamboul fol
some inspired crime. Peace day Will
It's flags and salutes produced curl
Gus effect. All Turkish men-of-war arr
penned up behind Galata bridge, and {
British yeoman Of signals sends up thu
hoists on Galata tower.
Everywhere are allied soldiers, Brit
ish, French, Italian, Greek, few
Americans, Russians and Serbs. Prob
ably these strike the greatest change
Of all. The military school at Harbl'
houses British G. II. O., and the smar
Highland sentries at the gate put tn,
shambling Turkish sentries at Taxim'
barracks (half of which has been re
| UulilGu luSeTue MuClHunOni anu 10 w
cupied by French troops) to shame.
The attitude of the Turks towart
the English during the war is dliilcul
to understand. Side by side with the
studied cruelty to prisoners Of war Is
quite reasonable treatment of Brit
lsh residents within the empire. The
British embassy was inviolate-how
different 20 Berlin l--now the German
embassy has gone into retirement ant
the fine carved eagles on the roof are
mournfully wrapped round with sack
Ing Undoubtedly the Turks now wan
to be friends with the British, but 1t II
beyond the scope of this article to dis
cuss mandates and the like The Turl
knows he has been beaten, and is try
ing TO prove that II was not his fault
Be this as II may, II Is curious to not'
that In conspicuous place in the ar