ANZAC GRAVES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 244, 28 September 1922, Page 2

ANZAC GRAVES.

TURKS HOLD THEM SACRED. * MR E. R. PEACOCK’S VIEW. ‘‘MORE TO FEAR FROM GREEKS.” Sydney, Sept. 20. After the signing of the armistice, Mr E. R. Peacock, business man and journalist, of Bull’s Chambers, Moore street, visited Gallipoli. He was afforddtl special facilities by the British Admiralty and the War Office. In addition, Air Peacock has travelled extensively the present troubled areas, and considers his intimate knowledge of Greek and Turkish character is of particular value, in view of the Turkish occupation and fortifying of the Pcnsula,” said Air Peacock. “In my opinion, based 011 many years’ experience along the Alcditcrranean and its hinterlands, there is nothing to fear from Turkish desecration of Auzae, graves on the Peninsula,” said Air E. R. Peacock. He considered in such case there was more to fear from the Greeks than from the Turks. “Take, for indance,” he stated, “the Greek method of burial, concerning the sanctity of the dead. The corpse is borne to the local cemetery in an open coffin. If the relatives arc rich enough, the deceased is buried in the coffin—if not, the deceased is simply buried in a blanket. After the burial, if the relatives are ruch enough, the, the dead is allowed to remain undisturbed. If the money is not forthcoming, the reinaitis are exhumed, and lhe bones, after being scraped ,are placed into a charnel house. There is no sense of sanctity whatever. On the other hand, every grave, pagan or Christian, is sacred to the Turk. Alahommedanism is the religion of the sword, of punishment, and the reverence of graves is part of the Turks’ religious belief. Afr Peacock was on Gallipoli just after the signing of the Armistice. He found that Abdul was “playing the game” as faithfully in peace as in war. Every Allied cemetery was carefully preserved, and near each was placed the sign - “ENGLISH BURIAL GROUND.” “This effectually prevented desecration. Mustapha Kemal Pasha ’is a cultured gentleman.” Air Peacock went on. “I met him on two occasions. Ho is educated in the highest bonse, according to western ideals—-is a keen diplomat, and a clever soldier gild strategist. Kemal Pasha is nt the head of the Young Turk movement, and his object is to raise Turkey to the level of European powers, with a definite voice in world politics.’ Aluch had been said of late concerning the unfurling of the green flag die flag of the Prophet.” continued Air Peacock. In his opinion, the pos sibility was very remote. The outcome would be so tremendous, ami would deal such a blow to the white race, that any Power would hesitate before precipitating such a catas trophe. True, to side with Islam meant power, ami the ex-Kaiscr took good toil of Turkish sympathy in declaring himself “The Friend of Islam. ’ But in any case, the Mohammedans themselves would einbark on a Holy War only after the most mature conbiileiation, ami the provocation would have to be extreme. “Before taking the field,” concluded Mr Peacock, “the Holy soldier is required to first kill his wife and children, or any female or male relation likely to hamper him in the execution of his duty. He must close up or sell his business —there must be no ties for him, either domestic orf commercial—his sword, his energies, his very life, is at the command of the Prophet so you scee a Holy War cuts both