THE ALLIES' OCCUPATION OF CONSTANTINOPLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1920, Page 1

THE ALLIES' OCCUPATION OF CONSTANTINOPLE.

WHAT WAS DONE. IN A NIGHT OE PERFECT CALM

Me Pcrcival London, the "London Telegraph’s ” Constantinople correspondent, sends a picturesque telegram describing the dramatic way in which the Allies took possession of Constantinople. " In the course oT the morning a proclamation, signed by Major-General Sir H. Wilson, was published in Turkish, Greek, Armenian, French, and English. It announced that Constantinople had been provisionally occupied militarily by the Allied forces', that the population had not anything to fear, provided they abstained from any action against the Allied forces or breach of public order. Tliei occupation of Constantinople has been one of the most entirely smooth and successful operations in modern history,” Bays Landon. “ Last night'there was nothing to indicate to the most watchful of Turks that the somewhjvt nondescript regime of the last sixteen months was going to be transformed into a strict military administration within a few hours. SUNSET BEHIND THE FAMOUS. DOMES. “ A*l the theatres, place of amusement, and dancing halls were thronged, as usual. As usual, too, the slow-mov_ ing mobs in the streets jostled and.gossiped from one end to the other of the Grande Hue, the sole promenade of the over-crowded city of Pera. There was no military activity of any description; the presence of the First Battle Squadron of the British Fleet naturally aroused no comment, after its very recent' isit and subsequent peaceful departure. Even in the best-informed Ottoman circles not a suspicion was entertained of the impending action; indeed, life in the tortuous currents of Turkish political intrigue went on under the very shadow of the coup which was to deprive the present parody of a Consti tution of any further ability to betray the interests of the unhappy Turks. After an evening marked by an even more than usually beautiful sunset behind the famous silhouette of domes and minarets along tile outline of Stamboul, a night of perfect calm succeeded. But at dawn the work of landing the troops occupying the strategically important positions, patrolling the streets, controlling centres of special value, such as bridge-heads, • railway stations, the telegraph office, the open .paces, the approaches to the Embassies, and other coigns of vantage or danger, was in full course—in short, by the earliest light Constantinople was occupied and firmly held. Huge lighters, each containing three to live hundred men, drew alongside the quays of the Golden Horn, and strings of transport belonging to tin* Indian Mule Corps began their day-long watch in readiness tor service and support anywhere. The gun positions, chosen a fortnight ago, were taken up without noise or fuss, and already such warnings as were necessary had been given out. Ihe iiuge steel carcass of His Majesty’s ship Jenbow came slowly up to the great uridge bows on, and in a hash all traffic of the port ceased. Not a packet set out on its little trip among the islands in the Sea of Marmora or up the Bospherous, not a ferry crossed between Scutari and Pera; lor once absolute stillness paralysed the eternal “ va ot vient ” of the crowded waters of Stamboul.

CAPTURE! OF DANGEROUS MEN. ‘■But more important work still had been accomplished before Constantinople woke up to the fact that she was now under the military rule of those friendly enemies whose patience had at'last been overtried. Even while

the children were still'enjoying themselves on the public swings that form so prominent a feature here, the silent and sudden arrests of leaders of the Nationalist Party had been, carried out each in his own home. There was no resistance except in one case, where a foolish officer was carrying out orders, Djemal Pasha, the late Minister of War, and Djevad Pasha, Chief of Staff

were first secured. “One after another the men responsible for the miserable plight of the Turkish nation were convoyed to places

of safety and are awaiting safe internment, By 10 o’clock absolute quiet reigned, though naturally all through this morning the main arteries were crowded with eager multitudes, all totally without apprehension for thenown safety.

A DREADED DAY. “It is curious to remember that the day of deliverance for hundreds of thou- • sands was, as I have noted the actual day to which the Greeks and Armenians were looking forward with almost universal dread. Of course, it is impossible to forecast similar security m places removed from direct naval or mil tary protection, but the Allied peoples may rest assured that nothing else could so effectually haye intervened to

save the life of the threatened—seriously threatened—Christian communities

of Thrace and Asia Minor as this quiet assumption by Western Europe of full control of the centre of 'Ottoman life. The occupation has been carried out almost entirely by the English, though of course, with the cordial cooperation of our Allies, and one felt a- pardonable touch of pride at the. simple phrase used to me by a Christian woman tins morning who could only blurt out. through her tears: ‘Thank God for the English.’ For the terror among the lower classes has been very groat. NO DANGER, “Not the slightest anxiety need be felt for the least inhabitant of Constantinople, Christian or Mohammedan. The note that has been struck throughout has been that of safeguarding the Sultan and his subjects against the reckless and malicious folly of the Nationalist faction. Herein lies the brightest hope for future peace.. At last a period has been put to the misuse of Constitutional machine and to the

terrorism of State officials; in no long time we may hope, too, that Constantinople, instead of being the victim of the wanton and unconstitutional tyranny of Anatolia, will bo in a position herself to issue an ultimatum to Angora. For after to-day, if Turkey in Asia wishes the long close, and perhaps all-important link with Constantinople to remain, she will have to coino to Stamboul. not Stamboul to her. As I conclude one can again hear the voices of the street merchants vending oranges, apples, and bread rings as confidently as ever.”