#35: "Pontus" (1921)
There remained the question of "political" matters. In this
respect, our attitude toward the Turkish Government had been
careful and correct. We always recognized our obligations to
the Government in authority, and our American officials in
Constantinople or nearer frequently reminded us, whenever we
consulted them, of our duty to maintain a neutral attitude
as between contending parties with a spirit of friendliness
for all and respect for authority. Our domineering visitors
seemed eager to find some incriminating evidence, something
that would implicate or compromise us Americans. This clear
and strong impression was confirmed by our legally-minded
associate, who was in my office at the time while the search
was being conducted there, Mr. Theodore Riggs. When I was
allowed to be also present, the General and the Judge
compared notes in my office over two maps hanging on the
wall on which they read the word, "Pontus". "See", they
said eagerly to each other, "these are maps of the province
of Pontus, which they aim to establish. See, the Pontus
boundaries are not the same; on one map they are larger
than on the other. They enlarge the boundaries as their
ambitions increase". The wall maps were printed in Chicago
some years before to illustrate the Roman provinces in the
time of the Apostle Paul! But afterwards Turkish papers
published statements to the effect that charts had been
found in the College on which was outlined the province
of "Pontus", which revolutionists connected with the
College, especially the Pontus club, planned should be
annexed to the Hellenic kingdom.
That evening the Executive Committee of the Greek Literary
Society, consisting of three teachers, one alumnus, and
two students, were arrested, with the promise that they
would return as soon as they had been asked and answered
a few questions. But they never came back. Much was made
of the Pontus Society seal, as rebellion; it carried a
device clearly showing a school boys' club for "musical,
literary, and athletic" exercises.
NEXT: The final exodus (1921)
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