PROHIBITION IN TURKEY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XVIII, Issue 1858, 6 September 1923, Page 3

PROHIBITION IN TURKEY.

FARCICAL SITUATION. \ REPEATED POSTPONEMENTS. A few days ago a cablegram appeared stating that the Angora Assembly proposed to modify the prohibition law which had operated for three years in Anatolia, on the ground that it had not stopped drinking and had caused a heavy loss of revenue. Writing on this subject at the end of June the special correspondent of the Daily Telegraph stated:— The dry regime farce bids fair to have a longer run in Constantinople than "Charley's Aunt" in London, and it gets funnier with every performance. The run of the piece began at the end of February, when it was announced from Angora that the prohibition law, already enforced in Anatolia, would be extended to Constantinople in a week. So everybody concerned got their stocks, and retailers made discreet inquiries as to what it would cost to insert the most favoured hotel clause for their special benefit. Allied subjects said surely this last blow at our prestige would not be tolerated, quoting the Capitulations and other, alas! now sadly neglected, agreement. Devotees of Bacchus caused a run on the supplies by laying in private stocks, and sellers were torn between a desire to profiteer at their expense and to get rid of the liquor before the Government seized it, as threatened, if it were not disposed of before a certain date.

Then the ponderous machinery of the joint Allied High Commissioners' representations was set in motion, and within two days of the great day the Turks quietly announced that the regime would be postponed for a week, no reason being given. A week later a further month's postponement, owing, it was said, to the difficulty of stocktaking, was announced. That month elapsed, but nobody now seemed to worry, and again came a month's grace. This time the reason given was that time was wanted to prepare a register of the places selling intoxicants. Now, however, it was emphasised that this was absolutely the final extension, as Angora would not brook further delay—the local authorities, as a matter of fact, had been telling Angora that the thing simply could not be done. Still, nobody lost any sleep over the threat; indeed, only about 5 per cent of the thousands of dealers bothered to register or report their stocks. Very near the last day it was again announced that owing to the difficulties of administration the regime was postponed till June 16, and everybody smiled and said, "I told you so." WATERING DOWN THE LAW.

But Angora was obviously angry, and a week ago it began to appeal as though this time there would be no turning back. The police chief and the governor even, Adnan Bey, gave interviews on how at last this thing was to be done; but added that the troops of occupation would be allowed the use of certain places excluded from law specially for them. No civilians, however, Allied or otherwise, would be allowed to go to these houses. The Allies officially protested, and when the police notice was published it was seen that the reference to Allied civilians had been omitted—prohibition, in fact, seemed to have been whittled down to men in fezzes, and a run on soft hats became noticeable among some Greeks who had long adopted the Turkish headgear for reasons of policy. Meanwhile, more traders registered, and a list of exempted houses was prepared. This, it is more than whispered, is where the wonderfully graded backsheesh system has had its finest chance for many years. For Stamboul there was no mercy, but practically every place in Pera and Galata, from the swaggerest hotel to the lowest Douzico dive, appeared in the list published on Friday—a wonderful harvest. Included, by the bye, were many place patronised almost exclusively by the Navy of dry America.

Yesterday those on the privileged list opened and the rest remained closed. Doubtless the former thought it was well worth the expense—until midday, when a rumour began to spread that the police had just posted a notice that the law was adjourned till August 1. For once the rumour was correct. Joyfully the others opened, and now all goes serenely on. The reasons this time are that the formalities are not completed, and that the enforcement of the law would solely injure the interests of Turkish traders, which under the law's emasculated form is correct.