SALON IN GAOL.

Mataura Ensign, 6 November 1912, Page 5

SALON IN GAOL.

EX-MINISTER'S LIFE OF LUXURY The luxuries of prison life in Constantinople are described by a special correspondent of '"the 'Matin,' who, •having applied in vain for permission to visit the imprisoned Djavid Bey, exMinister for Finance and editor of the suppressed journal Tanln,' went to the prison and asked to see him. He was imemdiately shown in, and after signing a visitors' book was ushered into a magnificently-furnished room where the governor 'and several attendants were receiving (the prisoner's guests. A large table in the centre of the room was laden with cakes and Oriental sweetmeats, and coffee was being handed round by uniformed servants.

Djavid Bey was delivering a political speech at the far end of the apartment. He concluded amid rounds of applause from liis fellow-prisoners, and then welcomed tlio journalist. Together they made a tour of inspection of the sumptuous house of detention, where the prisoners' rooms are decorated every day with fresh-cnt flowers and where the sentries are expected by the governor to wait on the prisoners. When the correspondent was about to leave Djavid Bey said, "1 will accompany you on your way.'' The prison doors were opened to him without the slightest demur, and half an hour later the ex-Minister bade t'he journalist farewell, saying that it was too cold to stay out late, and that he was "returning home."