The Panic At Rodosto.

New York Times 100 years ago today, November 14, 1912:
Defenders of the Port Were Too Apathetic to Dig Trenches.
Special Cable to THE NEW York Times.
    LONDON, Thursday, Nov. 14. -- Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett, correspondent of The Daily Telegraph, complaining that the censor maltreated the dispatch describing his visit on Saturday last to Rodosto, which has since fallen, sends to his paper from Constantinople a fresh account of the panic which prevailed when the Bulgarians attacked Rodosto.
    On Friday the battleship Masudia, with a torpedo boat, had arrived off the port, and the military authorities, under Col. Remzi, either on receipt of instructions from Constantinople or else gaining confidence from the big guns of the warships, decided to defend the town in spite of the sustained supplications of the united divines.
    Rodosto was completely surrounded by the enemy's cavalry. All the roads radiating from it were cut off.
    The Turks, with their customary apathy, were leaving everything to chance, making no effort to entrench the position, preferring to save themselves unpleasant labor, but utilizing some petty rises in the ground or else hiding behind outer houses of the town. There was no scheme of defense. There were no supplies of reserve ammunition, no guns, no dressing stations.
    About the luncheon hour a shot from one of the guns of the Masudia brought every one to his feet. This was followed by a series of broadsides from the four-inch and eight-inch guns of that vessel, which shook every house in the town and caused an almost indescribable panic among the Greek and Armenian population.
    There was a general stampede of gesticulating men, panic-stricken women, and howling children toward the Consulates, which are all situated close together on the seafront
    Mr. Ashmead-Bartlett and others did their best to calm the fears of the women and children, but for some time with little effect, the populace not being able to discriminate between a gun being fired and the bursting of a shell, and thinking that the Bulgarians were shelling the town. But after a time, the novelty of the sound having worn off, tears were dried, men ventured to saunter forth into the streets, and women, pressing their children closely to them, took shelter in cellars.
    About 2 o'clock the sound of rifle fire from all sides of Rodosto showed the enemy were approaching, and soon the defenders were replying vigorously.
    It was a pathetic sight to watch the blue-coated gendarmes doing their best to keep off the invader with rifles out of date twenty years ago, sending up great columns of smoke after each discharge.
    The Bulgarians developed a strong attack on the west of the town over ground which gave considerable cover, but the Turkish regulars in this quarter valiantly held their own, encouraged rather than materially assisted by the deafening broadsides from the Masudia, which fired all its guns in salvos at objects the marksmen could not possibly see and with little harm to the enemy, but which only served still further to terrify the good citizens. In fact, it seemed as if the Turkish sailors in their efforts to reach the enemy would blow off the upper stories of the houses near the seashore.
    Some of the consuls, to avoid this contingency, took down their flags, which were facing landward and hoisted them seaward, in order to remind the Masudia, which was evidently revelling in the opportunity of distinguishing herself, of her international responsibilities.
    It was evident that Rodosto could be carried at any moment the enemy developed sufficient force at any one point.
    That afternoon they contented themselves with feeling the position. They were evidently without artillery, as they made no effort to fire on the Masudia or on the town. Mr. Ashmead-Bartlett continues: "I have already mentioned that a number of Turkish vessels, steamers and sailing ships, were anchored in the roadstead. Early in the day they were engaged in taking off refugees. As soon as the Masudia started shooting they all, without exception, hauled up their anchors and made for Constantinople, leaving Rodosto to look after itself.
    "Things were looking extremely black for us, when, at about 5 o'clock, the Mamora, a mailboat flying the French flag, put into the roadstead, anchoring a long way out. Immediately there was a rush of those desiring to make their escape, who went out in small boats to her. Thanks to the French agent, we secured a boat and were allowed to leave, after a prolonged parley with the authorities, who required passes from us.
    "Our departure was the signal for a fresh panic, as the citizens of Rodosto attributed it to fear alone. There was a general rush for the quay, but the soldiers, hearing that the Mamora was already crowded, refused to allow others to embark, which caused the wildest lamentations.
    "With utmost difficulty and by sheer fighting we reached the ship and fought our way aboard. The gangway was then hoisted. From that moment until we sailed, a crowd of boats hovered around us, refugees imploring to be taken aboard and offering to pay any sum for passage, but as the boat was built to carry about 200 persons and some 1,500 were crowded on her, the Captain remained adamant.
    "When his decision became known a perfect Babel of discordant cries, shrieks, curses, and prayers arose from the darkness, which had now settled over this unpleasant scene, and lasted until we sailed. Some in their desperation tried to climb up the sides, abandoning their baggage and their friends and relatives.
    "The Masudia continued the bombardment until nightfall. Almost the last shot she fired burst prematurely, sweeping the harbor with fragments of an 8-inch shell.
    "I learned later from a refugee, who came by an Italian ship which called at Rodosto after our departure, that the military authorities temporarily commandeered our cars to carry petrol to the Turkish quarter of the town, as they intended to burn it down if the Bulgarians attempted to enter."