IN CONSTANTINOPLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11686, 1 May 1916, Page 5

IN CONSTANTINOPLE.

THE PRESENT SITUATION. An Ottoman subject passing through Geneva, from Oon.sta-ntinople has given a description of the situation in the Turkish capital to the "Journal de Geneve." When, lie said, Enver Pasha and General Liman von Sanders precipitated Turkey into the war by the attack on Russian ports and shipping, the capital was filled with German helmets and uniforms within twentv-iour hours. ; They were partly German subjects in Constantinople and partlv men who had been brought in secretly as civilians during the preceding weeks. Since that time mans have been predominant. Eniver Pasha governs the people by terrorising them. He lias the support of the Germans ''n the task. The fate of Ymissoui law din Efi'endi is a warning to iinv who wouid cinre to resist the man who is master at present. Ho goes about in an armoured motor-car, armed, and sitrroundrd ivy aides-de-ca.mp Only by these precautions has he escaped the'fate which he has inflicted on so many others. the kni>. All the Turks realise that the Turkish luupirc h at an end, lor if the Germans win. the Turks will never again be free from German ruie. and if the Allies are victorious, the Ktnpire will certainly be broken up. As to the people, ' they regard everything from the fataii.-t standpoint. and are submissive. The Germans make no secret of their intentions: Hiey say that their turn has now conic to get all they can out of the Turk. The economic situation i.s becoming terrible. In tin- capital everything, from pianos to silk stockings, has boon requisitioned for the army, 'the tradespeople have been paid 800.000.0G0f. in hills, in the name of the vilayet of Constantinople; the Imperial Ottoman Government not wishing to enter into any engagements in case it transferred itself to Asia.. Doubtless '.lie same thing lias been done in the rest of the Empire. And that is how the army is fed. Among- the civilian population, penury increases daily. The price of food has riseJi Iwond nil proportion, owing more especially to speculations and the monopolising of cioods from which the agents of the" Committee, of the Umon and Progress, 'tnd probably the committee itself, make, sharoelsss profits. For a family of nine persons 6ne loaf a day is allowed, and what bread! A special kind of cheese very _ generally eaten nmona Orientals has risen from 7 to 8 piasters to 15 piasters: rice from 2 to 3 24 piasters; butter from 20 to 47 piasters at least: flour from 20 to 85. A can of petroleum, which once cost 14 to 15 piasters, is now valued at 200. And d'.en in ibis stnt" of famine we have to provide provisions for Germany. 1 have- seen an officer buy a whole, stor'- of cheese-; U> send to his country.