Meeting Bekir Sami Bey

Hasan looked like he was sorry for him. He didn’t hide his feelings and smiled. “You got retired and decided to be a businessman. Good. You went to war when everyone was doing business and now when you need to be in action you are starting a business.” He said the last sentence in a low voice as if he was talking to himself. “I don’t think you can find Rashid at the Ranch now. It would be good if you could find him though.”

Balikesir

“Why? Did he go somewhere?”

“Sort of.” He laughed, “I haven’t seen them in the village since the Truce. All three brothers have taken off to the mountains.” He waited a little. “If you know Rashid well you would know the reason. Since the Revolution those Brothers were involved in all kinds of dirty businesses. The current Government spells trouble for them. They say hundreds of criminal files are waiting for them in the Court Marshall. Did you hear about the latest incident concerning Ethem?”

“No, I don’t know much about him. Is he an Officer as well?”

“No! He is the youngest son and his father loves him very much. Ali used to say that he doesn’t want Ethem to leave his sight. He was always with his dad. He called him ‘Chakir’”

“Chakir? He must be a handsome blonde man.  What does he look like?”

“He is tall and fit. He is a brave young man, fearless. He served in the Military at Serasker. Eshref Kuschu bashi introduced him to Suleiman Askeri during the Great War. He worked for the TM, the Secret Organization for some time and he got involved with some serious things. Do you know Yacoub Jamil?”

“Yes, I know of him”

“Ethem and Yacoub Jamil attacked Russians together in Batumi, Georgia. He returned to Bandirma towards the end of the War. He kidnapped Governor of Izmir Rahmi’s son with a couple of Zeybek fighters.”

“How is that even possible? He is a member of TM and he kidnaps Rahmi Bey’s son? That doesn’t make sense.”

“He is like that. Ethem the Circassian always do something incomprehensible!”

“Was he mad at Rahmi for some reason? I never heard of any Unionist involved in such a thing. It is weird. I don’t know what to think.”

“Yes, he kidnapped Rahmi’s son. It was not because he was mad at him. He did it for money.”

“That’s even worse.”

“He asked for fifty thousand Gold Liras.”

“Did Rahmi give that amount to him?”

“Instead of Rahmi, all the Christian businessmen in Izmir raised money to save the boy.”

Jamil laughed at this, “Why didn’t you say so? They acted together with Rahmi to collect taxes the Ottoman way!”

“I don’t know about that. The situation is dangerous for them, now. They could end up in the Court Marshall. He prefers to stay in the mountains, riding his horse and patrolling.” He said sarcastically and scratched his chin. “Have you served together with Colonel Bekir Sami at the fronts?”

Jamil hesitated, “Yes, occasionally. Why do you ask?”

“Bekir Sami is looking for Rashid as well. He had sent a horseman to Emre Village this morning. If you know him, you should go and talk to him. See if Rashid is going to come. I doubt it, but you can try! You know Bekir Sami is Circassian as well. For that reason there is a slight possibility that Rashid might come to see him.”

“Where is Bekir Sami now?”

“He usually goes to the Military Recruitment Office after lunch.”

“Did he come here recently?”

“He came two days ago! He was promoted to Deputy Commander of the 17^th Army Corps. Go see him.” He smiled sadly, “I think he will be very happy to see you.”

“Why would he be happy? He doesn’t even know me.”

“You will see. He will be happy and perhaps he will persuade you to join him and leave your business dealings.”

“I don’t think so.”

Hasan looked cross. “Don’t the people of Istanbul get any news?  Didn’t you hear that the Greek Army landed in Izmir?”

“Yes, we heard about that.”

“So?”

“We don’t know. Yes, we heard that the Greek Army landed in Izmir but they are saying that it was not a permanent situation.”

“The clashes have already started at Kordonboyu, Izmir around Government Buildings and the Barracks. Nadir Pasha and his Army Corps were taken prisoner. Did you know that?”

“Yes, I heard that. The Government is trying to free the Prisoners.”

“Did our brave government stop the Greek Army’s advancement as well?”

“What advancement? I didn’t hear about that!”

“You didn’t hear that? They took possession of Urla on May 16th, Soke on the 17^th. The same day the Italians landed on Chesme! Greeks occupied Torbali on May 20^th. Yesterday it was Menemen soon it will be Manisa!”

Cesme Fort

“No way!” Jamil leaned forward. “Is that true?”

“Yes, that’s the truth!”He looked at the card players, “Did you think we are really playing card games here? I don’t believe it is a good time for being a merchant now, Captain! Go see Bekir Sami. If you are going to join his Forces, we can sell your business to someone else tomorrow! All the men, women and children of Izmir are leaving the city. There is no room in the trains; people are on top of one another. I don’t know what people are doing in Istanbul but it is not time to sell beans!”

Jamil felt embarrassed and he asked quietly, “Is there any resistance to the Greeks?”

“Resistance...To resist one has to decide to resist first. The towns that I am talking about were left to the enemy without firing one shot! Not even one rifle shot heard.” He pointed at the suitcase. “If you are not carrying money, leave it with me and find Bekir Sami. As far as I see it, the 17^th Army Corps consists of one deputy Commander, one Captain and a young Lieutenant fresh out of War Academy! The Commander will be so happy to find a Commander for the Artillery Regiment that doesn’t exist!”

Jamil stood up quickly and saluted the Naval Officer whose rank he didn’t even know. When he stepped out he thought, “I should have asked him the address of the Military Recruitment Office.” He didn’t feel like going back.

Since he graduated from the War Academy, he always went to the Garrison first, whenever he came to a new town. For the first time now he was going to the military Recruitment Office like a Retired Officer. For the first time in his life he didn’t ask if there was an Officer that he might know at the Garrison that he was going to. He now realized that it was a great comfort to be welcomed by a friend to a new place. He didn’t know what to say to Colonel Bekir Sami as he didn’t know him personally. Jamil felt more uncomfortable as he approached the office.

Captain Selahaddin, who was an aide de camp to Bekir Sami, didn’t recognize Jamil at first.  As Selahaddin was asking who he was, he suddenly stopped, “Oh! It is Jamil.” He opened his arms to greet his old friend from the War Academy. As he was hugging Jamil, he said, “What are you doing here? I am so happy to see you. We need you here. God Bless your heart!”A door opened behind them and they turned to look. To Jamil’s surprise Lieutenant Farouk came in. Farouk was surprised to see Jamil there as well. “How come you are here Captain? How did you know? Did Maksood send you here?

“Farouk, I didn’t know that you were here.”

Captain Selahaddin asked. “Do you know each other?”

“Yes. Arab was going to let me rot in Istanbul. I thought I better get out of there.”

Selahaddin grabbed his arm and lead him to the other room. He introduced him to Bekir
Sami. His voice was trembling with joy, “Sir, look who is in Bandirma. Allow me to introduce my friend Jamil Beshiktash. He came to Bandirma.”

Colonel Bekir Sami smiled. He was a fatherly man but he had a temper. He was very strict. Wherever he was and whatever he was doing under whatever conditions, he wanted everything to be done by the book. Selahaddin realized his mistake and stood to attention.

“Jamil Beshiktash?”He thought for a while. “Where did I hear your name? Oh I remember. General von Kress told me about you. He called you ‘Jehennem’ in German. Did you go to Germany for training?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Where was the last place that you served?”

“I served in Palestine and then I joined the 7^th Army.”

“Were you with Mustafa Kemal Pasha?”

“Yes.”

Bekir Sami inspected Jamil. “Are you retired?”

“No, Sir.”

“What is your situation?”

Jamil started to tell him what happened in Istanbul.

“Please, take a seat...Tell me from the beginning.”

Jamil finished his story by referring to his friend Ismail. “I talked to Ismail at the Legion. I thought I might go to Anatolia and help.”Bekir Sami waited for more. Then he realized it was the end of the story, he smiled. “Good thinking. It is good timing as well. Do you know anyone who can help around here? We can’t be too picky these days. Even wooden soldiers will do. Sergeant, corporal, artillery, reserve, cavalry, or commissioned officers. Whoever! Since you are friends with Omer the Patriot and Ismail maybe you also know some other TM members that could help us.

“Yes Sir, I was on my way to Rashid’s Circassian village.”

“Good.  I already sent someone to Rashid. I think he will be here soon. If he can’t come over here, then maybe you could…”

“Yes Sir, of course I will go talk to him.”

“We will be on our way to Balikesir. After talking to Rashid you should come join us. Talk to Selahaddin and distribute the duties among the two of you. We will have a lot of time to talk in the next few days,” He smiled, “If we are not dead!”

Jamil realized that Colonel Bekir Sami was maybe not the greatest Commander but he was brave and trustworthy regardless. Since the second constitutional period, so many of the Officers wanted to be promoted to the higher ranks… at all costs. He wasn’t like them. With his bold head, moustache and stocky build, he was a fatherly Officer that the soldiers liked. He was stationed in Iraq and Caucasia. He performed all his duties well. He was well liked in the army by both his superiors and subordinates. 

From the book
The Reluctant Warrior
By Kemal Tahir
Translated by Elif Mat