Current History, A Monthly Magazine | Page 3

from Anatolia.
Both on account of the recruiting of their employes and of shortage of
coal the companies operating the electric tramways of the city have
reduced their service to the minimum, as no power is available for the
running of the cars.
Heartrending scenes are witnessed in front of the closed doors of the
various banking establishments, where large posters are to be seen,
bearing the inscription: Closed temporarily, by order of the
Government. The most popular of these institutions is the Wiener
Bankverein. This bank, by making special inducements to small
depositors and by paying a higher interest than the others, succeeded in
concentrating the savings of many people of the working classes, and
as this institution is in imminent danger the rush to its doors is

exceptionally great and riotous.
The municipality has issued a number of ordinances fixing the prices of
all necessary commodities, and the Government, after the first panic,
declared that no further requisitions are to be made. At the same time
the authorities took special pains in order to induce the various
merchants to import goods from abroad, thus relieving the extremely
strained situation of the market; but it is doubtful whether such
measures will have any calming effect on the scared population.
Immediately after war was declared between Germany and Russia the
Porte ordered the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles closed to every kind
of shipping, at the same time barring the entrances of these channels
with rows of mines. The first boat to suffer from this measure was a
British merchantman, which was sunk outside the Bosphorus, while
another had a narrow escape in the Dardanelles. A large number of
steamers of every nationality are waiting outside the straits for the
special pilot boats of the Turkish Government, in order to pass in safety
through the dangerous mine field. This measure of closing the straits
was suggested to Turkey by Austria and Germany, and was primarily
intended against Russia, as it was feared that her Black Sea fleet might
force its way into the Sea of Marmora and the Aegean.
TURKISH PARLIAMENT PROROGUED.
On Sunday, Aug. 2, the Medjlissi-Meboussan, or Parliament of Turkey,
was urgently called together, and the Speaker of the House addressed
the members as follows:
Dear Colleagues: The imperial proclamation ordering the last elections
has produced some uneasiness both within and without the empire. It
was said at that time that the Chamber was to be convened only to give
vent to partisan feeling and to disturb the quiet of the country. The
elections, however, proceeded in as orderly a way as possible, and the
Chamber performed its duty with great order and solicitude, having
voted the budget and many other laws. The country accordingly is
convinced that the Chamber has fulfilled its duty with relative calm, in
view of the circumstances. We part today in order to meet again in

November. The war between Austria-Hungary and Servia has a
tremendous importance in the general European situation. While until
yesterday Europe was kept in a state of watchful waiting, now we are
informed that war has been declared between Germany and Russia. In
face of such an international situation, it behooves all us Ottomans to
rally in a spirit of harmony around the imperial throne, and to act with
the moderation characteristic of our race for the preservation of our
country.
Hoping that the great example given by Parliament to the nation as
regards the working in a spirit of harmony and order will have its due
influence on the country at large, I salute you and bid you farewell.
THE MOBILIZATION.
One of the first schemes of the German General, Liman von Sanders,
for the reorganization of the Turkish Army was to provide a system
whereby a speedier mobilization of the forces could be made possible.
According to this scheme, as far back as the first days of May, 1914,
every Mayor and village President of the empire was provided with a
sealed envelope, under orders to open it only on telegraphic notice
from the Central Administration. These envelopes were opened on Aug.
3, and were found to contain the papers constituting the order of
general mobilization, including a large poster in colors, bearing, under
the imperial monogram, or "Tougrah," two crossed green Turkish flags,
with crossed sword and rifle, and underneath a gun and its carriage,
and lastly the imperial edict in large letters, reading as follows:
A general mobilization was ordered to start on ........................ (To be
dated on notice.)
Those liable for duty must report at their respective headquarters. First
day of mobilization is on ........................ (To be dated on notice.)
DIPLOMATIC SITUATION AND PRESS OPINIONS.
While Turkey in this way was preparing for war, Talaat Bey, the
Turkish Minister of the Interior, and Halil Bey, President