LIFE IN CONSTANTINOPLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1922, Page 9

LIFE IN CONSTANTINOPLE.

EXCITING TIMES. A letter written in Constantinople, on 17th September by Madame Omer Pasha to a friend in Wellington contains much that i<s of interest, specially in the light of events since that date. She writes: —“Life is in no way so pleasant as it used to be—it is hard, disagreeable, a sort of tenterhook atmosphere. I wish sometimes that I could go far away for peace of mind. In the Orient we are living in an atmosphere of incredulities. Day by day fresh events follow each other, unfortunately more disastrousand alarming. Political events are but slightly commented upon in aur newspapers. Our latest disaster, the one at Smyrna, is- too terrible for anything. The Turks would not do such a thing, coming in victoriously to Smyrna—some say that bandits put fire here and there for the sake of plunder—the European quarter is wealthy, for, on the whole only people of means lived there with beutiful houses, so that there was plenty to steal, and most of the folks had left their lovely furnished homes. Last night, quite late, a young girl friend camo here hoping to glean some Italian officer, about . her relatives in Smyrna. Some had arrived here safely, but they could not hear anything about -others, and were naturally terribly anxious. Mustapha Kemal's triumphant entry was the cause of very great demonstrations all round. I lianpened to ■be in town and was startle.l to find suddenly that great decorating was doing on. Flags everywhere, and at night a. great torch-light . procession—thousands of people taking part. Flags, banners, and lanterns were carried, and there were cries of ‘Long live Kemal — Down with the English! and Vive la France et 1’ Italic.’ Rather startling was it not? They crossed the bridge to the European quarter and broke all the windows of shops, and apartment and other houses- for which the Turkish Government pays, and has- already paid, about £5090 for expenses. What may yet be forthcoming none of us knows. The whole town was decorated for a week, but on hearing of the Smyrna disaster all of these disappeared, (mo of our neighbours, a wealthy Turk, had not- put up any decorations, but was compelled to do so. or else pay an indemnity of £5OO. Every day something unexpected and unpleasant hap.jiens and the times are too exciting.”