Fear Of Massacre Strong In Capital.

New York Times 100 years ago today, November 7, 1912:
Christians Tremble at Prospect of Outbreak Such as Occurred at Rodosto.
COWARDLY TURKISH OFFICERS
Three Shot by Nazim Pasha Himself — Others Hiding in Constantinople and Condemned to Death.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
    LONDON, Thursday, Nov. 7.— A Constantinople dispatch to The Chronicle, dated Nov. 6, says:
    "The shadow of war hangs like a heavy thundercloud over this doomed city. At any moment the storm may break and involve us in the red ruins of massacre and outrage. We have had a foretaste of what is to come in the news from Rodosto.
    "Thither came the bands of Nizams driven from Lule-Burgas by the victorious Bulgars. In their terror-stricken flight they abandoned everything and arrived at Rodosto famished and weary, but full of furious hate against the infidel. The thin veneer of European civilization vanished like the mist in the morning sunlight.
    "A scene of horror followed. The town was given up to massacre, outrage, and pillage. It was set on fire in seven places and the children hurled into the raging flames. In their agony of fear many took to boats and tried to get to the open sea, anywhere away from these human wolves. In some cases the boatmen were massacred and in others those who trusted to the sea found another, yet more merciful, death beneath the waves.
    "Nor does Rodosto stand alone in its baptism of fire and blood. The victorious march of the Bulgarian Army produces similar scenes wherever the Turks anticipate the coming of the enemy. In Constantinople the dread of a coming massacre almost paralyzes the population.
    "Nor are the apprehensions of trouble confined to Europe. From Syria comes the news that the consuls of the European powers are urging the necessity of protection for their subjects against outrages by the Turk and Arab. Roman Catholics seem to suffer most. The French Consul at Beirut reports the pillage of monasteries there. There is disquieting news from Smyrna, where the Governor seems totally unable to keep the Moslems in check. Here the Greeks are suffering most.
    "Nazim Pasha has sent report to the Ministry of War which throws a flood of light upon the history of the war. The Turkish Commander describes the condition of the broken remainder of his army as being desperate. The discipline, says Nazim, is abominable. Fifty officers have been condemned to be shot for various offenses. The Commander himself admits that he shot three with his own revolver in an outburst of rage at their cowardice. Many positions, he says, were abandoned without the slightest resistance. Artillery and stores were left to be seized by the enemy. Many officers show the greatest reluctance to go to the front and are hiding themselves in Constantinople. An energetic search is being made for them everywhere, and the Minister of War has issued a warning, pointing out that they are liable to be condemned to death for such conduct, and stating that the death penalty will certainly be inflicted if they continue to skulk. A number of officers have already been condemned to death by default.
    "Another ground of uneasiness has been provided in the fear that the enemy will cut off the chief water supply at Derkos. This is the main source of supply for the European quarter of the city. It is situated in the picturesque forest of Belgrade just beyond the Summer residential quarter of Bouyoukdere on the Upper Bosphorus. "Many households in Pera offer a strange appearance. Vessels of all kinds, buckets, cans, ewers, and basins filled with water are found in every room, together with the food stores which have been laid in in view of possible emergencies. Food prices are rising enormously."