He a captive but living pretty well for the moment in
Vetluga, studying Russian and having a local tailor
make him some new pants.//
St. Catherine Church in Vetluga today.
7 June 1916 Wednesday
The weather is nice, hot. Until late
afternoon I worked with Şerif on the
Russian book. Russian grammatical rules are annoying. Halis and I
went to the garden to walk around but we had an argument over
something I said in jest
without thinking. Anyway, Halis is nothing
more than a child. In fact, a bit after we quarreled he
came up to me
and scolded me excitedly as a child would. But I was disturbed by one
thing and
that was he told me yesterday that he’s been thinking night
and day about his father and
his wife of just one week Zıya having
suffered a calamity. He told me about a few more of
his problems, as
well. Yes! I found myself in the wrong because I had said something
unintended that upset this troubled child. Because I had amplified the
troubles of this child by
doing what I did. Nevertheless, I’m able to
comfort myself and I didn’t really feel that bad since the problem had
arisen
unintentionally.
8 June 1916 Thursday
The weather is nice, hot. I went to see
Şerif before noon but we didn’t
work. In the afternoon I wrote my father a letter on the cards
given to
us prisoners. I advised him about my good health and told them not to
worry. I asked him if
possible to send me Russian, French and German
dictionaries, a few readers, a novel and
three of my latest photographs.
I gave him my address here (in Russian). May God see that it
reaches
him. At night we talked until dawn.
9 June 1916 Friday
The weather is nice. Mosquitoes are active.
I went to see Şerif in the
morning and we worked on Russian a bit. After lunch we fell into
a
discussion and played some games. Here’s some news: the Germans
have sunk a battleship in the
North Sea carrying the English Defense
Minister and the General Staff, who all drowned. The
journal
newspapers wrote this approvingly. Then they wrote that the Turks
have advanced to the
Kusur Pass. Apparently, the Kusur Pass is near
the highest mountain four or five hours beyond
Evlit. Very good.
In the evening we discussed Zühdü’s marital problem. The poor young
fellow is
beside himself about entering this new life. Marriage is not
such a bad thing but there are some
possible problems while he’s in
captivity. This is all related to the secretary’s grown-up
daughter. But
Zühdü hasn’t yet been able to make a definite decision.
10 June 1916 Saturday
In the morning a noise shook our
surroundings. Everyoe who was
sleeping got up in an outrage. The problem: Captain Hakkı and Osman
had an
argument about a missing spoon. The Captain’s ill manners
and impoliteness in both words and
actions fanned the flames.
Nevertheless, the real reason was not clear. In the evening
the
committee and all of us gathered. Salah of the committee first
requested that such a noise
in the morning, which disturbed
everyone, not happen again. Then Osman wanted assurance
to prove
he was in the right because of the insult he suffered from Hakkı. The
Captain
was without grounds on all points and he apologized with a
confession of wrongdoing to Osman.
He was admonished not to let
something like this happen again and the meeting adjourned.
The
tailor brought my suit today but because the pants weren’t quite
right he took it back.
With great difficulty I found five rubles and gave
them to the tailor. I asked him to bring back
the remaining parts
tomorrow. The tailor made the suit for 15 rubles. When I came to
Vetluga I had
just 35 rubles (although I had sold my army jacket
to Fahri for five rubles). I spent 20
rubles on material. I spent some
money on other things I needed. Of course I don’t have much money
and
consequently it’s insufficient. When I
asked Kör Mehmet to lend
me some money he said he
didn’t have any but just a few days ago
he said that he did. When it comes to money no one
is willing, honest,
loyal or true to his word. Again we went to sleep late.
11 June 1916 Sunday
Today I feel like I’ve got a high fever.
Even when I resting I perspire.
In the morning the tailor brought my pants but the space between the
legs is still not right. Fortunately, I was able to find five rubles to give
to the tailor. The
weather is gloomy. In the afternoon it rained for a
few hours and the weather got cool. The
mosquitoes are gone. I went
to see Şerif again in the afternoon and we worked on Russian. At
this
time a ferry (like the ones on the Golden Horn) was passing on the
river. The
Russians take good advantage of the rivers. Zühdü today
said that I’ve lost weight. He
advised me not to think so much and
not worry about anything, just live care-free. Osman
related some
things in the evening. We passed the time.
12 June 1916 Monday
The weather is cloudy again and in spite of
the relative coolness the
mosquitoes are active. In the afternoon I went to see Şerif again
and
we worked a bit. Today I wrote down Russian verbs that I got from
Hakkı (regular army
junior officer, captured n May 1331 (1915)) and I
learned grammar, as well. After chatting at
night, I went to bed. The
nights are odd here. During the day the sun heads south and west
from
the point where it rises, at a curve of approximately 27 degrees. At
night 90.
Since the sun doesn’t go away after it sets there’s always
some light. Dawn and pre-dawn blend
together. Today I wrote a letter
to First Lieutenant Zıya, who I know from the War
College, from our
regiment. He has gone
to Chukhloma camp. Will the letter get to him?
I don’t know.
Chukhloma camp was located about 200 kilometers
west of Vetluga.
//END of PART XXX//
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