see the rich ones doing
themselves well in the restaurants whilst other poor beggars are
starving outside," says another who does not like the Russians now.
"The French aristocrats went to their deaths with a smile," says
another. "What do you think? Oh, but you've got a soft spot in your
heart for the Russians." "I have a golden rule. I think it is in the
worst of taste to say anything against a people who have suffered so
much as the Russians. And what should we be doing in their place--if
the pride of England had been broken, and we also were all in exile
eating the bread of strangers. Should we present as brave a front?"
But how difficult it is to put oneself in another person's place in the
imagination, and how unreadily it is done!

Still, loathing other nations is a favourite after-dinner occupation of
English people, and need not be taken too seriously. As a matter of
actual behaviour, none in practice are kinder to the Russians than
these same who speak against them. Kindness goes a long way; practical
common sense would go further. Most of the Russians want permission to
go to other parts of Europe. The British command is theoretically in
favour of letting the Russians go. It is aware of the danger and
distress of having a hundred thousand starving men and women on its
hands. But it cannot extricate itself from the tangle of international
red-tape which smothers Constantinople. On the other hand it actually
allows thousands of new refugees to come in and make the situation
worse. The task of governing the city is so complicated that there is
constant irritation. The rivalry of the French with ourselves, and of
the Turks and Greeks to one another causes endless trouble. By herself
England would, no doubt, govern Constantinople well, cleanly and
honourably, but in concert with French, Italians, and Greeks there is
not much evidence of a strong hand or a clear mind. There is a strong
sentiment in favour of handing the reins back to the "old Turk," as he
is lovingly called, and an equally strong one in favour of unique
control. "We do not come till we are invited, but then we usually
stay," is the formula.

The Greeks certainly still hope that they will hold the city. If the
Turks come back and the Greeks remain at Chataldja, and the Allies for
economy's sake go away, it will be a great temptation to the Hellenes
to try and assist Providence in the fulfilment of the outstanding
prophecy by br