The New York herald., 1922-12-29
PURITANS OF ANCORA
CLEANING Up TURKEY
Wave of Reform Sweeps
Over Country aud Stirs
Entire M0slem World.
IMPOSE SIMPLE LIFE
Forbid Liquor and Cards
and Limit Wedding Costs
and Brides TrOusseau.
BAN FOREIGN LUXURIES'
Foreign ENJOYS May Resign
Rather Than Move to
Cheerless New Capital.
BAN FOREIGN LUXURIES'

Special cable 10 THE NEW York HERALD.
Copyright. 1929. by THE NEW YORK HERALD.
CoNsrANTINoPLE. Dec. 2S.-The Turk
ish Nationalist chiefs have practically
decided to maintain Angora as the
capital of the new Turkey, and invi-
tations soon will oe addressed to the
Ambassadors in Constantinople to
transfer their legations there.
The Nationalists' decision was made
because the Turks fear the prospec-
tive settlement of the straits question
will leave Constantinople too exposed
to hostile attack to be the seat of the
capital. Furthermore. Moslem purists
who are strongly represented in the
National Assembly, hate Constanti-
nople as a wicked, irreligious big city
whose inhabitants. did little or moth
ing to win the Turkish war of inde-
pendence, and they wish to punish the
old capital by depriving it of it's priv
iheged position.
Regulate Morals by Law.
1t is the ambition OF the puritans in
Angora TO impose the simple life" OF
Anatolians upon the "effeminate" city
dwellers. Besides proclaiming prohibit
ton. they aspire, like Calvin and Crom-
well and other reformers, 10 regulate the
morals of individuals by legislation.
Thus. they already have prohibited the
Importation of call foreign luxuries,"
such as fashionable gowns, millinery,
silk stockings. corsets high heeled shoes.
perfumes powder and lip sticks-re-
strictions that have filled many Turkish.
women with dismay. Another prohibited
article is playing cards. for the new
Government Is determined TO suppress
gambling. and orders are TO close cafes
where baccarat or poker is played.
A special law controls expenditure
on weddings. which till now We're occa-
sions OF great festivity. Henceforward
more than two gowns. and 1t may not
be exposed TO the view of the guests.
The wedding dinner must be simple and
music Is forbidden. Parents and newly
weds who infringe these regulations are
liable to one to six months imprison-
ment
All this legislation is characteristic
of puritanic wave sweeping over Tur-
key from the barren table land of
Angora. and stirring up all Moslems. 1t
is significant that the sheik of the
Senussi, who are the ''purists of Islam.
recently told the national assembly of
their decision TO translate and modern
ize the Koran. And there are other
symptoms that Islam. revived by Tur-
keys national resurrection. is becoming
once more a living force. Although the
degrees by which the Angora patriots
ere attempting to moralize ehc Turkish
people seem somewhat extreme and may
prove impossible to carry into effect.
their Spirit is sympathetic and proves
that there are still idealists capable OF
aiming at great reforms.
New Capital Drenry village.
Angora is a village Of wooden huts.
without hotels. restaurants shops or
buildings suitable for housing foreign
embassies. The American diplomatic
agent lives in railway car and boasts
Of the best quarters in the place AT
this time of the year Angora is alter
nately sfnothered In snow or sunk in
mud. and the only way TO get about the
streets is on horseback. There ara no
amusements Of any kind. nor anything
to drink except raki. potent but in
famous variety OF brandy distilled from
old grapeskins. which. though prohibited
like all liquor. may be had from boot
leggers.
No wonder many members OF the din.
lomatic CORPS in Constantinople are con-
templating resignation rather than 20 to
Angora. and IL the Turks do not change
their minds ambassalorships TO Turkey,
which have been much sought on account
Of the-social life and pleasure afforded
by Constantinople I'm winter and
Therapia in summer, Will soon go beg
ging.