outside Angora. He tells me that, like most of his constituents, he lives almost entirely upon goats' milk and bread, and that, as many of them have reached their hundred and twentieth year, he himself is reckoned a young man!
Curiously enough, however, it is the Dancing Dervishes who have sent up one of the most progressive spirits to the Assembly. The "Grand Tchelebi," too, is a picturesque figure in his long brown cylinder felt hat and ecclesiastical robes. Descended from an even older family than Osman's, he yet voted with the Hodjas for the dethronement of the ex-Khalif.
The hostility of many deputies towards the Hodjas is rather puzzling; but the journalist who said, "These men cannot think as we think," may be right. He added: "Every big nation except the English has recognised the wisdom of separating Church and State. Yet when we advocate the same policy we are severely censured." It is also stated that the Hodjas themselves cannot keep pace with the most progressive among the leaders, and are, therefore, quite willing to stand outside the Councils of the State. The Assembly no doubt would not suffer any religious element to hamper progress or interfere with its newly acquired freedom and independence.
The predominance of military uniforms will strike any Western observer; but one should remember the country is still at war. A few still wear the fez; but the very great majority have adopted the more picturesque kalpak, that varies in colour from grey and brown to black, and must be comfortable and warm in winter.
There are, naturally, many of the special difficulties in this Assembly that are inseparable from all beginnings of progress, in a country with no experience of self-government. The more illiterate deputies, for example, know nothing of Europe, and regard everything Western with bitter hostility and distrust. On the other hand, I met one day a brilliant Socialist munition-worker who, having studied Karl Marx and Arthur Henderson, wants to establish a
