Paradise Lost: Smyrna 1922 - the Destruction of Islam's City of Tolerance
“A large Union Jack fluttered proudly over the Whittall residency – an unambiguous declaration that Edward’s sympathies lay wholeheartedly with the Allied cause.
It was a most provocative act, given that Britain was now at war with Turkey, yet one that Edward performed with customary relish. It was his own personal statement of defiance, his red rag to a bull. He was informing Turkey’s rulers that although they were able to lead the country into an unpopular conflict, he had no intention of allo...wing them to impinge on the way he lived his life.
Bournabat’s merchant princes were nevertheless concerned that the hostilities would bring about an irrevocable change to their lives. The closure of the harbour was a particular worry; they feared having to close their factories and lay off the tens of thousands of workers they employed. Such a course of action would cause real hardship throughout Smyrna, since most families had only one breadwinner whose salary had to support a large number of young children.MoreLess
It was a most provocative act, given that Britain was now at war with Turkey, yet one that Edward performed with customary relish. It was his own personal statement of defiance, his red rag to a bull. He was informing Turkey’s rulers that although they were able to lead the country into an unpopular conflict, he had no intention of allo...wing them to impinge on the way he lived his life.
Bournabat’s merchant princes were nevertheless concerned that the hostilities would bring about an irrevocable change to their lives. The closure of the harbour was a particular worry; they feared having to close their factories and lay off the tens of thousands of workers they employed. Such a course of action would cause real hardship throughout Smyrna, since most families had only one breadwinner whose salary had to support a large number of young children.MoreLess
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