WILES OF THE TURKS

Otago Witness, Issue 3201, 21 July 1915, Page 85

WILES OF THE TURKS

GOKBEN PROBABLY DISMANTLED. THE PLIGHT OF THE REFUGEES. Several points of interest have cropped up in connection with the escape of the Turkish destroyer Demir Hossar from the vicinity of Smyrna Harbour, and are the talk of the islands (says the correspondent of the Melbourne Age, writing from Mytilene on April 25). She was one of five boats of what one might term a mosquito fleet, for she is just 100 tons burden, that were built m France in 1910. Everything seemed to bo sacrificed to speed and' shallow draught. She carried two deck torpedo tubes that were built by a Berlin firm, besides some quick-firing guns of a light i ittern. It is believed she is the only vessel that has been able to run the Dardanelles since the blockade began, and has reached one of the many coves in the Gulf of Smyrna, whore she has been waiting her chance to sink transports. That was her orders before leaving Constantinople. That she did launch two torpedoes at French and British transports is certain, but, luckily, without effect. That was-a few days before she was taken, or rather seen, by the patrolling warships' in the gulf. Her crew state they were endeavouring to get under the protection of the. guns of Smyrna, when she was forced to flee around the island of Chios, as I have before related. Now two fast destroyers chased the little craft south, and drove her, practically speaking, into the hands of a British cruiser and another' destroyer, seeing which the captain beached his ship. When the British landing party came on board they discovered a bomb placed in the stern, and they were just able to escape before it exploded. With devilish cunning the crew'. Turks and Germans (there being several German officers on board) had placed a number of slow fuse bombs. After half an hour, when the British bluejackets returned- and opened the cabin door, another explosion occurred, it evidently being attached by an electric wire to another bomb. Several sailors were injured. A diligent search was made for another infernal machine, and one was thrown overboard, and now lies in about two feet of w'ater. It was a petrol tin filled with a high explosive. The captured crew w T ero taken to Chios, where they are now interned. It is interesting to note that several German officers w'ho were originally attached to the Goeben were on board the destroyer, which rather tends to confirm the reports that that ship has been scrapped after her damage by the mines laid by the Russians. So hostile are Greeks at Chios to both Turks and Gormans that it has not been possible for the officers to leave the hotel where they are staying, even urcler guard, anl up till the last steamer news came from that port that theyhave stayed indoors. Meanwhile, arrangements are being made for taking them back into the hills and interning them there.’ One well understands the bitter hatred of the Greeks for the Turks and their allies the Germans, for the islands are crowded with refugees from Asia Minor that have had to flee the country. Amongst the crew of the destroyers was a Jew, who had been compelled to enlist and fight. Those who have been unable to escape have suffered a like fate, and are now fighting with the Turkish army. Rich and poor alike have had to leave then 1 homes, and, with their ‘families, throw themselves on the mercy of the Greek Government. Now, these islands, of whoch Mytilene is the capital, arc not yet rich. - The inhabitants are frugal, diligent people, bent on setting the islands in proper order now that they • have passed into tho hands of responsible government. Years of misrule by the Turks have checked progress, and the rich resources lie scarcely touched . The olive crop from Mytilene alone yields about £500,000 per annum. But beyond the work in .the fields there is little chance of the refugees finding employment. .... It is a pitiful sight to see the tiny wails of children begging in the cafes and wandering about tlie town in rags, without even shoes or socks to protect them against the cold, bleak winds that sweep down at night. There are merchants here from towns all along the coast and from Com stantinoplo who have ha<i to abandon then’ mansions and their factories, that have been seized by the Turks, and know their homes were destroyed or soldiers billeted in the houses. At Smyrna merchants have given up exporting goods, for they are promptly taken by the military authorities. In consequence there is a great shortage of supplies, though in the interior there is an abundant crop. There are over 500,000 re-fuo-ges m Greece and the Greek islands of the iEgean Sea. The Greek Government is allowing each person 11c 1 a day, and finds shelter for them. So, as one walks through tho olive groves up on to the mountains, you find these unhappy people wandering about, collecting a stick here and there for a fire. They have made their beds in the factories amongst the < machinery, and m barns and disused buildings. Just as 1 saw them at Lemnos, some of the men have found work in the fields, and are earning a few drachmas a day. Others, again, have willingly' offered themselves for military service, and are now at IMudros, undergoing training with French officers.