The New York herald., 1922-09-25
FIRE IN CONSTANTINOPLE
AFFRIGHTS CHRISTIANS
Merest Street Incidents Suffi-
cient to Start Panic.

CoNsTANTINoPLE,s Sept. "a (Associated
Press ),-Constantinople had another bad
attack of nerves this morning. small
fire, originating in the Stanboul district
led the affrighted Greek and Armenian
population 70 believe it was the begin
ming OF another Smyrna catastrophe
The Turkish firemen use their voices
instead of bells TO warn the people. They
indulge in the weirdest and most discon-
certing shrieks as they race through the
streets, barefoot and clad anfyS in cotton
trunks. While the people in the Euro
pean quarter jumped from their beds in
anticipation OF serious trouble. however.
the fire was soon extinguished.
The merest street incident in Constan-
tinopie now is sufficient 10 create panic
among the population. To-day a little
Greek girl was run over by Turk driv-
ing an automobile. Immediately there
were terrorized cries by the Greeks and
Armenians who witnessed the mishap.
and only the timely arrival of the police
prevented the panic from becoming gen
eral.
Fearing uprisings Saturday night
Brig. Gen. Sir Charles Harrington, com
.-nander of the allied forces, ordered all
the British barracks cleared and soldiers
posted throughout the city The
and other accoutrements, gave the capi-
tai grim and ominous appearance. By
10 o'clock at night the only persons on
the streets were stray Turkish residents
OF the Stamboul region. who moved about
furtively. Not a Greek or an Armenian
ventured out.
The churchmen arc besieging the head
quarters OF the Associated Press for con-
flrmation or denial OF the reports that
the Kemalsts are coming. They make
pathetic entreaties for the Americans tc
protect them
Cannot the generous. humane people
OF the United States raise a mercifu
voice across the ocean to save us from
the fury OF the Moslems ?" Is the appea
OF the Greek Patriarch. I'VE already
have appealed to your President" tn,
appeal continues. America is our only
hope. IL she fails us we are lost"
Immense quantities OF rifles and am
munition are being smuggled across the
Bosphorus in small boats as merchan.
disc. The British naval authorities are
having the greatest difficulty in detect
ing this contraband. There is a large
munitions depot at San Stefano. which
II is feared. the Turks may attempt t.
blow up.
Officers and soldiers of the Kemalis
forces, dressed in civilian clothes. daily
are arriving here.
Plans for the possible invasion by tn,
hemalists have been promptly made
The Allied headquarters, which hitherto
has been outside the city, has beer
moved 70 the British headquarters, which
was formally huge Turkish barrack:
located in the heart of the European
quarter This move was made to enable
Gen. Harrington 10 have all his depart
ments and staff within immediate touch
The British general headquarters has
Informed the Associated Press that al
measures for the maintenance of order
have been completed. These measure:
are OF the most severe character.
Admiral Bristol has conferred with
Embassy and naval staffs regarding
further steps to protect Americans and
naturalzed citizens. Two officers are
on duty al the American Embassy
throughout the night and the building
IS carefully guarded by marines. The
precautionary plans have been so com.
pete that Admiral Bristol believes tina,
those Americans at home who have rela
tives In Constantinople need have M
serious cause for anxiety
The exodus OF Greeks and Armenianf
from Constantinopla continues. Many
of those who remain have adopted the
Turkish fez. discarding tho European
style OF hats. The Greek shop keepers
in Stamboul arc flying Turkish tlagt
and are exhibiting In their windows
Autographs OF Kemal Pasha In an en-.
deavor to win the favor OF the Kemal.
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