19143 ^t Constantinople 



Dardanelles. But the Greeks said: "There is none Two ways 

 except ourselves against whom you need to defend °/'^'«*- 

 the Straits; we will take the islands, therefore, and see 

 to your protection." Strangely enough this assurance 

 did not satisfy the "Young Turks," who soon, under 

 German direction, showed unexpected energy and ex- 

 pended much money in fortifying Gallipoli peninsula. 



Near the entrance to the Dardanelles we observed 

 the old Turkish fortress, replaced the following year 

 by modern defenses. Through the Sea of Marmora 

 the boat passed by night, arriving at Constantinople 

 in the early morning, when the incomparable vision 

 of the mighty mosque of Santa Sofia and the minarets 

 of old Stamboul burst upon us. At the dock we were 

 taken off by an American Embassy launch, which 

 immediately proceeded — against the swift current 

 of the Bosporus — to Robert College, located on a Robert 

 high bluff at the very extreme north of the city near ^°^^'^' 

 Rumilly Hissar, an ancient Roman watch tower. 

 Here we remained, during our stay in Constantinople, 

 as guests of the president, Dr. Caleb F. Gates, and 

 his excellent wife. 



The college buildings command a majestic view of 

 the Bosporus, the city, and the valley of the " Sweet 

 Waters of Asia" {Les Eaux Douce s de I'Asie), a pretty 

 stream flowing down from the Anatolian hills across 

 the Straits. The "Sweet Waters of Europe" {Les 

 Eaux Douce s de V Europe), tributary to the famous 

 estuary known as "The Golden Horn," lie to the 

 northward of the city. 



It is impossible to praise too highly that admirable 

 institution which has brought to the Near East the 

 best thoughts and methods of American democracy, 

 and has made its influence powerfully felt among the 



1607 -} 



