BRITISH MODESTY IN CONSTANTINOPLE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1954, 20 March 1919, Page 1

BRITISH MODESTY IN CONSTANTINOPLE.

GERMANS AMAZED AT OUR FORBEARANCE.

One of the facts most clearly demonstrated by the war is, that beyond all peoples in history the British arc aggressive as foes, inflexible as captives, and indulgent as conquerors.

This is the conclusion drawn by “Pera,” who writes to The Times of Kith December:

At the present time, when querulous German protests against the Allied terms of armistice are still being raised, and a fresh baseless legend is being carefully nurtured in Germany to be foisted upon posterity, it may be well to put on record a few little-known instances of British forbearance as they presented themselves to observers in Constantinople.

We who had lived with (he Turk and his German ally knew with what cruel joy of anticipation both had looked forward to the victory which they long considered sure, promising themselves a merciless delight in the woes of the vanquished.

But when so suddenly (he wheel of fortune turned, when the Allied arms completely triumphed, and a great Allied Fleet and a strong Allied Army lay ready on the frontiers of Turkey, we expected to see some formal putting down of tho German mighty from their seals, some memorable and unmistakable assertion of the victory of Great Britain over Turkey and her German allies, which would make a lasting impression on the Oriental mind. But, instead, what happened ? THE RATTLING SABRE.

For a fori night aft it Die Turks had surrendered no Allied forces approached (heir capital. The Fleet could not, for its passage was still barred by mines which needed sweeping. The Army did not, for in your kindness of heart you had promised the Turks not to occupy any more of their territory unless compelled to do so by outbreaks of disorder. During all that fortnight the Germans continued to trail their rattling sabres in the streets of: Constantinople, and the Young Turk Party strove to regain credit by representing the peace as one of honourable compromise and not of defeat. And when at last British officers did begin to arrive by sea, it was with no conquering flourish that they came. They landed inconspicuously on the quay, and took rooms at the Peru Palace like ordinary travellers. In plain khaki, and armed only with walkings! icks, they cut a modest figure beside spick and span German .Junkers, with rows of medals and with automatic pistols conspicuous at (heir belts, who had still, thanks to your leniency, a fortnight more in which to take their leisurely departure. A CONTRAST.

To us who knew what would have been the treatment meted out by the Germans had the conditions been reversed, the situation seemed quixotic.

One saw British colonels (ramping over to Stambould on foot while German subalterns swept past them in big motor cars, splashing them with Constantinople mud. Although your officers needed transport facilities urgently, nothing could he done to obtain them‘by confiscation of these German ears, for your armistice did not provide for the sur-

render of the German material cle guerre in Turkey, and you stood .scrupulously by its terms. Paradox went even further. The Germans yvere obviously without the means to evacuate all their equipment from Turkey, and their army drivers, knowing that there was no Government in Germany capable of holding them responsible for the property committed to their charge, began to sell their ears to Greeks in the city, and pocket the proceeds. If current report was correct, some of these cars were actually resold to the British Army. THE HUN POINT OP VIEW. And lastly, when the Germans finally avowed that they could not get away from Turkey within the month stipulated by the Turkish armistice, because they had neither the ships nor the coal to do it, the British authorities came to their rescue and supplied the coal, if not the ships, to take them ,to Odessa, although they would have been entirely within (heir rights in retaining them all as prisoners of war. We onlookers do not know whelk- ! or to admire or to condemn these ! exaggerations of forbearance. But | there is no doubt how the Germans j consider them. They despise your j mildness and lake it as a tribute of | involuntary respect to themselves.