Bekir Sami was doing his buttons on top of the stairs. He
put on his cartridge belt. He adjusted his colpack. When he left the building
he looked perfect as a Commander. His steps were measured.
“Is the 17th
Army Commander Bekir Sami on line? I am Artillery Officer Captain Rasim. Did
Bekir Sami arrive at the telegram Office?”
“Yes, Captain Rasim. I am Deputy Commander Bekir Sami. Is
Commander Ahmet Zeki with you?”
“Ahmet Zeki is in the office, Sir. I had much difficulty in
coming here. The Governor of Manisa has the telegram office under observation. That’s
why no one could have communicated with Manisa up until now. The Sub- Governor of Akhisar is preventing
communications as well.”
“How is the situation in Manisa?”
“It is very complicated, Sir. The people are divided, some wanted
to resist first and said the military should take a position in Menemen. The volunteers
wanted to support our troops.”
“Did the majority of people want to resist?”
“Yes. There is an Islamic Organization here headed by the
local Muftu.”
“Does the Muftu support the resistance? This is very
important!”
“Yes, Sir! The Muftu supports the resistance. Vasif and Bahri encouraged people to fight at
first. But things changed later. Vasif
is from Izmir and Bahri is an influential man from Manisa. He is a brave man.
However, the Sultan’s supporters wanted
to surrender. They attacked him and
Bahri had to leave the city.”
“Who are the people who
want to surrender?’
“Governor Husnu and Alderman Hafiz.”
“Hafiz who? What is his name?”
“I don’t know his name. They just call him ‘Hafiz’.”
“Yes, go on. Who else?”
“Some town notables.”
“Alright. They will have to answer for their conduct later.
Tell me about the artillery guns. What did you do with the cannons? How many do
you have? Were you able to take them out of Manisa? How about the ammunition?
Did the infantry troops already leave the city? How many men do you have?”
“Sir, the cannons…Well…. Ahmet Zeki received your telegram
that you had sent him from Bandirma. He wanted to follow the orders right away.
However, his men, both the artillery and infantry divisions panicked and they
deserted. Ahmet Zeki and remaining soldiers…”
“How many men does he have? Give me the numbers!”
“About fifty in the Artillery Division and sixty in
infantry.”
“All those men were not able to carry eight guns? Shame on them!
I ordered this when I was in Bandirma; I wanted the 10.5 mountain Obus guns at
all costs!”
“That’s right. Ahmet Zeki had them carried out, Sir!”
“Good, tell me this in detail!”
“Yes Sir! I will let the clerk write Ahmet Zeki’s report. It is as follows:
Ibrahim Calli
‘To the 17th
Army Corps Deputy Commander Colonel Bekir Sami,
I received your orders
that you sent with Rasim concerning the transportation of the weapons,
ammunition, and the troops, on 24/05/1919 before 5 o’clock. As per your
previous orders from Manisa, we have transported the machine guns, cannons and
all the ammunition we could carry out of the city with our men and volunteers.
However, the local Greeks and some of the Turkish supporters reported this to British
Political Representative Elcanheim and he followed us.He informed us that as
per the Ceasefire Agreement that was signed by our Government we didn’t have
any right to transport the weapons and troops.He threatened us that he was
going to use force and exile our Officers to Malta. He ordered us to take back
the weapons to the depots and the troops to the Garrison. “He gave written
orders, Sir! I have given this written order to Captain Rasim to be taken to
the Army Corps. Rasim signed a receipt for receiving this document. The
Commander of the French Troops here also had given us the same orders in the
name of his Government. After all this, we still planned to transport the
weapons during the night. The volunteers promised to help us by bringing their
animals and carriages near the depot at a certain time. They told us they could
only carry these weapons for a three hour distance and we accepted. However,
very few came to bring their carriages and animals. The others panicked because
of the counter propaganda.. It is not only the machine guns and the artillery. There
are also thousands of Mauser guns, millions of ammunition and all the equipment
and supplies of a 200 hundred bed hospital. We couldn’t have carried those, so
we had to leave them to the enemy. When Rasim brought your orders yesterday we
took action again. The infantry and the 59th Division Artillery Troops were
sent to Salihli. The 57th Division also escaped with the help of the
townspeople, however, some who support surrender, stopped them. There was going
to be chaos. The people wanted the 57th
Division to dismantle. If we had insisted there could have been a bloody fight between
the two sides. Rasim told me that he would assume all the responsibility but he
doesn’t have written orders. That’s why we haven’t left the Command to him.
Rasim talked to the town notables. He hired workers to carry the cannons and
ordered me to give out the weapons and the ammunition to the volunteers, but I
haven’t given the weapons to anyone that I don’t know without written orders.
The town notables feared that the guns, which are going to be given to them for
the purpose of defending the country against the enemy, might be used for loitering.
The volunteers insisted on getting the guns and when I didn’t agree they went away.
Even though I said to them that I would give them the guns once they were out
of town. For these reasons we were not able to follow your orders and take the
cannons out of town. Now we don’t have any means of transportation. We no
longer have any men, animals, or carriages. As Rasim will explain to you later upon
his return every hour we are losing men. The soldiers are deserting the army.
We only have eight Officers. I am awaiting your orders. Are we going to leave
the troops, the food depots and the 200 bed hospital’s supplies to the enemy
and retreat or are we to stay here?
Ahmet Zeki.
Commander of Manisa
“Sir, this was Ahmet Zeki’s report.”
“Damn it! Is he crazy? Rasim, how many soldiers does the
English Lieutenant have?”
“He doesn’t have any soldiers.”
“No soldiers? You idiots! Why didn’t you tell me that the enemy
deceived you! If he doesn’t have any soldiers with him who cares if there is no
written order? You should have carried the cannons anyway!”
“Sir, the situation was better before I arrived here. The
volunteers said the same thing. Ahmet Zeki could have taken the weapons out of
the city. But things changed for the worse later. The local Greeks said, ‘whoever helps the resistance beware; we are
going to report you to the Greek Commanders and you will get hanged’. After
that the volunteers who were helping us just disappeared. There are two
telegrams that are not sent from here. Because either the Governor here or the
Sub governor didn’t allow it to be sent
or be read.”
“Read them to me.”
“ From the 56th Division Commander Hurrem to the
172th Division Commander Ali:
“To the Commander of Ayvalik,
Izmir, May 20th
Tell me the position
of your troops. Urgent!”
Ali had replied immediately:
Ayvalik, May 20th
To the Division Commander
of Izmir,
All the soldiers of
our Division are on duty. They are as strong as a fort. We are ready to take action.
My Regiment and the people are ready to fight for our country.’
“Sir, I gather from this telegram that he is ready to resist
the invading army.”
“I know him personally. He will resist.”
“I am reading the second telegram. It is from Lieutenant
Nuri to Bekir Sami. Lieutenant Nuri is the President of the Weapons and Ammunition
Commission of Bergama.”
“What do you mean? Is the President of the Commission a
Lieutenant?”
“Yes, Sir. The President of the Commission is a Lieutenant.”
‘To the 17th
Army Corps,
There are rumours here
that Manisa was given to the Greeks by the British. There are 2000 volunteers
here. If Manisa falls I will distribute all the remaining guns to the people.
Please advise if Manisa had indeed fallen and if you approve of my action.
Best Regards.’
“Is that all?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Send a telegram to Ali in Ayvalik, address him “Brother”
and tell him I support him. Send another telegram to Bergama to Nuri; tell him
Manisa didn’t fall yet. But the situation is not promising, because there are
no heroes in Manisa like him. Do you follow?
“Yes, Sir!”
“Tell him, he has my approval. He may act as he sees fit in
Bergama. Tell him to report to me when he can, and my orders for you: Ahmet
Zeki is untrustworthy. Find him. Hire as many workers as you can and carry all
the artillery, all the machine guns, and all the ammunition out of the city.
Transport the guns to Salihli. Don’t let the soldiers desert the army. I want
all the Officers present!”
“If it is not possible what should we do, Sir?”
“I want the 10.5 Obus guns. You will fight them if you have
to.”
“Should we fight in the town or should we leave the town
with the soldiers?”
Bekir Sami thought about this for some time. Rasim must have
considered the situation very dangerous. That’s why he is concerned about not
being able to take the cannons out.
“Save the cannons at all costs. If you can’t then leave the
area with all your armed soldiers, bring the troops to Salihli. Hang Ahmet Zeki
in the town square before you leave. May God be with you.”
“Sir, we might not be able to talk again. Please, don’t
leave the office just yet, in case for some urgent reason we need to contact
you again.”
“That’s right. I will stay here waiting. Be safe! If you
can’t contact us again, we will meet at Akhisar. Talk to the officers. After
transporting the weapons, come to Akhisar!”
All four of them had forgotten about their hunger and were
waiting at the Telegram Office, staring at the machine.
The telegram officer was a chubby man with a greyish beard.
While he was sending and receiving telegrams he didn’t hide his pride; because all
of a sudden his job became so important. His hand was not steady and that
didn’t made people observing him confident. He was doing his job almost like
his mind was somewhere else.
The officers were happy that Manisa didn’t fall. But they
were concerned because Ahmet Zeki didn’t obey the orders. They couldn’t believe
that one of their fellow officers had been so incompetent. They were comparing
him with that old telegram officer who was so proud. They felt ashamed for
Ahmet Zeki.
Bekir Sami was reading the telegrams from Manisa again as if
he would find something new.
Jamil noticed that the usual ‘If you don’t obey the orders you will be executed!’ warning was not
there. It was either because the Commander didn’t remember to write it or he
thought that it was not as powerful as it was in Bandirma. Jamil wondered what would
happen if he went there instead of Rasim. He thought he could have success in
getting the cannons out. He imagined bringing them to Akhisar. He figured there
must have been a way to transport them. If worse comes to worse, he thought,
there was always the option of pulling his gun and threatening the English Lieutenant.
Tell him to go home.
Selahaddin was yawning for the third time and stretched. He
looked like something was troubling him. His face looked very tired and his color
was turning yellow. His eyes were bloodshot. Jamil remembered that Selahaddin
was really mad when Nizam was talking. Selahaddin was grinding his teeth.
Kınık
The telegraph operator said, “It is a commercial telegram,
Sir. It is from a drapery seller in Istanbul to Hafiz… Someone was admitted to
hospital …”The telegraph Operator was informing the Officers of each telegram
that he received. Bekir Sami lit another cigarette. After inhaling two times he
extinguished it.“Could you try Ayvalik? I want to talk to Colonel Ali. ”
“I will try. If it is not successful then I will try Bergama
or Balikesir.” The Operator rolled up his sleeves and looked like he was
getting ready for a really tough job. “First I will try to get Lieutenant Nuri
in Bergama.”
“Fine.”
“The tapping was fast then steady. Then it was quick and
fast again. The operator was calm and patient; he was good at his job.“Kinik
didn’t answer. Kinik has been nonresponsive for a long time now. I will try
Manisa!”
Selahaddin yawned again. He pressed his elbows to his body. Jamil
was about to ask him what was wrong when he heard someone approaching the door.
It was Gavour Efe looking for Yusuf. “Where
is Yusuf?”
“Gavur Efe! Why are you asking?”
“I need to talk to him.”
“Why? Don’t tell me he frequents your brothel…”
“No. The Sub- governor sent me here to get him. As you know
I am his messenger now.”
“Fuck Off…What you are talking about? You are drunk. Go away!”
Gavur Efe called, “Yusuf…Oh! Yusuf!”
Yusuf was still trying to contact Manisa. He wondered what
was going on outside when heard his name called. He stood up and went outside.
Jamil signalled Lieutenant Farouk to go see what was going
on.
“It is the Sub- Governor’s orders.” The drunken man lowered
his voice to a whisper. Farouk was listening through the door.“Tell him that I
have to talk to him. What do you mean you can’t tell them? You have to tell
them what I am saying to you. Akhisar is in great danger. Because of these
strangers, the Greeks will come and burn our town. Think about the children. I
won’t be quiet! It is not a secret matter. The Sub- Governor ordered them to leave
the building. If they don’t leave immediately there will be hell to pay! If you
don’t tell them, I will.”
Farouk intervened. “Who are you? What do you want?”
“Never mind who I am! Everybody in Akhisar knows me. I am
the messenger of the Sub- governor. Where is your Commander?”
“Come in. The Commander is here…”
Gavour Efe entered the room. He was tanned and looked very
dark. He had a long, curled moustache. He looked like a cross between a Zeybek fighter
and tradesman. He had embroided black pants and a vest with golden thread. He had
a dagger tucked in his large belt. He was short with skinny legs and a thick neck.
He was all sweaty and his breath smelled of alcohol.
Colonel Bekir Sami asked
with disgust, “Why are you here? What does the Sub- governor say?”
“Are you the Commander?”
“Answer the question!”
“He says you have to leave the building right now!”
“Why?”
“Both the Greek and
the Turkish population pleaded with the Sub- governor. Everyone including the Hodja
want you to leave. The French Captain was also present at the meeting. No one
wants to resist the invasion.”
“What if we don’t
leave?”
“The enemy will burn the Telegram Office. They are warning us.
They were polite to come to talk to the Sub- governor first.”
“The Sub- Governor couldn’t find someone better then you as
his messenger?
“What is wrong with me? Don’t discriminate among God’s
people.”
Selahaddin stood up. His eyes were blood shot. He was
licking his lips and swallowing hard. Bekir Sami motioned to him not to
interfere.“Tell us. How are they going to burn the place down?”
“They will bring kerosene and pour it all over the building.
They have already piled up the cans of kerosene across the street. They are
waiting in front of the Land Titles Office. Captain George is having difficulty
in holding them back. They are saying that they won’t have mercy on you because
you are putting the town in danger. The infidels are swearing that they will do
what they say. I believe them. The Sub- Governor wants you to leave the
building and the town as well. The watchmen on the hill said that the Greek
troops have been spotted on the horizon. And they were not using binoculars .They have seen the Greek army. The
Greek Commander already knows you are here and he threatened to destroy the
town with artillery fire. You have to leave our town. The people of Akhisar
have sent me here. They said you should go away and if you want to fight, fight
somewhere else. Go to your own home town.”
“Enough. It is understood. Go, now. Tell them that we are
coming to the Sub-Governor’s office. Don’t let anyone leave before I arrive. I
will talk to them.”
“No, I am afraid it is not possible. You should leave the
town now. You should go to your Hotel. You are only allowed to go to your
hotel. If you are seen going anywhere else the Sub-Governor said he is not
responsible if something happens to you.”
“What can happen to us?”
“I have never seen anything like this... It’s something
unheard of. Not even the history books mention such a thing. They can shoot you
as you walk by. People are waiting by their windows with their guns in hand. Go
to the hotel and get your belongings and go to the Station as quickly as
possible.”
“Is there a train available at the Station?”
“The Sub- Governor has said that you shouldn’t worry about
the train and go there anyway. The French Commander promised to protect you and
let you get on a train safely. You better leave. The sub Governor told me to
talk to you very briefly. There is no time to spare. He ordered me not to take
long. They are waiting for you to leave. He assured me for my safety. He said
nothing will happen to me because I am only a messenger.” Gavour Efe bowed his
head and put his hands on his belly in a submissive way by habit. Whatever he was
thinking, he suddenly looked confident and said, “You are lucky that I came
here as a messenger or else you would be in so much trouble. It could have been
your last day on this earth. Always remember me in your prayers!” He turned on
his skinny legs and went out. He was walking like a donkey carrying a heavy
load. He left a disgusting smell of rotten flesh in the room.
Bekir Sami asked Farouk
who was staring out of the window, “What do you see outside?”
“Nothing, Sir. No one is around.”
“Is there any kids or any women?”
“No one.”
“This doesn’t look good. I think they will attack us. We
should leave. Jamil, please call the operator. We must inform Rasim. Then we
will go to the hotel and discuss what to do.”
“I guess we can’t leave the town tonight, Sir!”
“Why?”
“Remember, tonight, Halit, the warlord is coming to talk to
us.”
“That’s right! What do you think we should do?”
Jamil looked at Selahaddin, who was standing there holding
on to the back of the chair. He looked weak. He didn’t appear to hear the
conversation; he looked like he had lost a lot of weight during the last couple
of hours. He was already underweight. The Commander said, “All right, call the
Operator.”
Jamil stepped out. He couldn’t see Yusuf at the counter. He
yelled his name twice. When no one answered he opened one of the doors. “Who
are you looking for?” an old man by the stairs asked him. “All the clerks and the operator left the
building.”
“Who are you?” Jamil inquired.
“I am the caretaker of the Sub governor’s office”
“Why did you come here?”
“I was ordered to lock the doors and bring back the keys.”
“Fine.”
Bekir Sami was still in the room waiting.
“Commander, they are bringing the kerosene cans on the other
side of the street. The situation is serious.”
The Reluctant Warrior
by Kemal Tahir
Translated by Elif Mat
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