Naturally, the “veiled” tenants stood in too great awe of their Pasha to say much, so we first walked on to inspect the new family of a favourite dog, then visited another happy family of geese and chickens and the horses! Like many Orientals, M. Kemal is over-merciful to his beasts, who are apt to grow fat and lazy from insufficient exercise.
Mustapha Kemal always says, and means, that everyone has a right to come and see him. He enjoys talking with peasants, and pays a generous tribute to their sterling worth. But in Turkey, some mysterious inborn tact prevents the uncultured from awkward attempts at intrusion upon his superior, however brotherly the hand of friendship between them. It is, however, almost impossible to compare the two countries, for, despite the Moslem’s respect for authority in every shape or form, rank and family do not count with him as with us, and the feudal habits, of which no so-called democracy can cure us, must appear strange indeed to these simple folk.
I have been privileged to hear “the Pasha” explaining the new Turkey he has created, expressing all his ideas, hopes, fears and anxieties; and this, at what is perhaps the very summit of his career, when his nation has just entered upon her existence of freedom and independence.
Yet I hesitate before the attempt to analyse or to describe the character and political achievement of this man; to convey all the subtlety and the strength of his mind. The complexities, and the apparent contradictions, of the Oriental are always baffling to the West; while, though far superior to vanity, the Pasha knows his own value and takes himself, as it were, too much for granted, to encourage or assist others in the dissection of his character. I can but rest on the tolerance all great men extend to our judgments, if prompted by sincerity and justice and a love of truth. As it is written in the proverbs of old Japan: “If your judgments are tempered by the dictates of truth, the gods will protect you, even though you offer no prayers to them.”
We are naturally enthusiastic before a New Turkey, built out of nothing. Surely these people are capable of carrying on? If some ask: “Will this man lose his head?” we answer: “He has not done so under the strongest temptation. Why should we fear?... He has not made himself Dictator; he has refused wealth and honour; he has abolished ‘decorations!’”
When the work of reconstruction begins in real earnest, when the country, so rich in minerals and with so fertile a soil, can be developed in peace to the best advantage; then I, for one—now I know him—believe “The Pasha” will prove to us that he can unite his people no less wisely in the building up of their fatherland than in saving it from tyranny and interference.
The Nationalists have had their warning from mistakes made by the Committee of Union and Progress, against the only real danger one can reasonably foresee, that of teaching the people to run before they have learnt to walk.
To all who would see the vision realised of an established, strong, and well-governed new Turkey, I only say: “Take care of your Pasha, for ‘his value is above rubies.’”