1921, November 20th, Sunday.
The Sunday of November twentieth in Constantinople was deceptively placid on the surface. The heightened Allied military presence remained a stark reality, a constant reminder of the occupiers' power, but the undercurrents were shifting. The news from Esad Bey the previous evening – that General Harington was under pressure from London to find a "swift resolution" to the burgeoning Port Authority scandal – had injected a potent, if perilous, dose of hope into Sultan Murad VII's inner circle. The "Ledger of Lies" was working its poison on the international stage.
Murad met with Tevfik Pasha and Reşid Akif Pasha in his study, the atmosphere charged with a new kind of anticipation. "The pressure from their own capitals is our greatest ally now," Murad observed. "Harington's fury will be tempered by his fear of reprimand, Pellé's by the threat of French parliamentary inquiry, and Garroni's by Italy's desire to avoid being dragged into a scandal that primarily benefits Britain and France. They will be looking for a way out, a way to staunch the bleeding of their prestige." "Indeed, Your Majesty," Reşid Akif agreed. "I anticipate an overture from them soon, perhaps today. They will likely try to offer us something symbolic, something they can present to their own governments and public as 'addressing the concerns,' while ceding as little actual control or revenue as possible." "Then our task," Murad stated, "is to ensure that whatever they offer is far more than symbolic. Cavit Bey's evidence gives us the leverage to demand substance."
Kolağası Esad Bey arrived with his morning intelligence briefing, and his news confirmed Murad's assessment. "Your Imperial Majesty, Your Highnesses," Esad reported, his voice betraying a hint of satisfaction, "the story of the Constantinople Port irregularities is now more prominent in both the Parisian and London press. Several British newspapers, including the usually government-supportive Times, have printed carefully worded articles referring to 'disturbing allegations' and 'calls for parliamentary scrutiny' regarding the administration of Allied-controlled entities in the Near East. In Paris, Le Figaro has joined Le Cri du Peuple, demanding transparency from the Quai d'Orsay. The French Socialist Party has formally announced it will table questions in the National Assembly tomorrow regarding Monsieur Dubois, the implicated dragoman, and the broader Port affair." He continued, "Most significantly, Your Majesty, a highly reliable source within the Italian High Commission here reports that Marquis Garroni convened an urgent meeting with his key staff late last night. He apparently expressed extreme displeasure at being 'dragged into an Anglo-French mess' and has instructed his legation to prepare a separate report for Rome, emphasizing Italy's 'clean hands' and its desire for a 'just and rapid resolution that respects Ottoman sovereign concerns where feasible.' He seems to be positioning himself as a potential mediator, or at least seeking to distance Italy from the primary culprits." Murad exchanged a knowing glance with Tevfik Pasha. "A chink in their armor indeed. Garroni seeks to save himself, and perhaps Italy's reputation. This is useful."
The anticipated Allied overture came just before noon. A formal note, jointly signed by all three High Commissioners, was delivered to Reşid Akif Pasha, requesting his and Grand Vizier Tevfik Pasha's presence at a meeting at the British High Commission that afternoon. The tone of the note was markedly different from previous communications – less dictatorial, more an invitation to "discuss constructive proposals for enhancing the efficiency, transparency, and mutual benefit of the Constantinople Port Authority's administration." "'Mutual benefit,'" Murad scoffed lightly, reading the note. "A phrase conspicuously absent until their own newspapers started asking inconvenient questions. Gentlemen, prepare yourselves. They are coming to the table, however grudgingly."
The meeting took place in the same imposing office where General Harington had previously delivered his furious tirades. This time, however, the atmosphere was palpably different. Harington was still visibly resentful, his face a mask of thunderous disapproval, but he allowed Sir Horace Rumbold, the more diplomatic British High Commissioner, to lead the initial discourse. General Pellé was present, his expression carefully neutral, while Marquis Garroni adopted an air of concerned gravitas. "Your Highness, Monsieur le Ministre," Rumbold began, his tone measured, "the Allied High Commissions have given careful consideration to the concerns recently raised by His Imperial Majesty's government regarding the Port Authority. We acknowledge that certain administrative procedures may benefit from review and improvement to ensure maximum efficiency and transparency, in the spirit of our shared desire for the prosperity of Constantinople." He then outlined their "proposals":
1. The dismissal of three named mid-level Allied officials (one British, two French, notably less senior than some implicated in Cavit's full dossier) from the Port Commission, cited for "administrative lapses."
2. The establishment of a new "Allied Review Sub-Committee" to oversee Port finances, which would include one non-voting Ottoman "liaison officer."
3. A promise to conduct a "thorough internal Allied audit" of Port accounts for the past year, with a summary report to be shared with the Ottoman government "in due course."
4. A vague offer to "re-examine the distribution of surplus revenues" once "operational efficiencies" were achieved. There was no mention of a full independent audit of all past accounts, no offer of genuine Ottoman co-management or appointments to the main Port Commission board, and no clear mechanism for recovering misappropriated funds.
Tevfik Pasha listened patiently, his aged face betraying no emotion. Reşid Akif Pasha took meticulous notes. When Rumbold finished, Tevfik spoke. "We thank the esteemed High Commissioners for their… preliminary suggestions. His Imperial Majesty's government appreciates this first step towards acknowledging the serious issues we have raised. However," his voice firmed, "these proposals, with respect, fall considerably short of addressing the fundamental problems of past injustices and ensuring genuine Ottoman participation in the administration of our own primary port." General Harington bristled. "Pasha, these are significant concessions, offered in good faith! We are removing personnel, we are instituting reviews! What more can you reasonably expect?" "We expect justice, General," Tevfik replied calmly. "And a genuine partnership. The dismissal of a few junior officials, while perhaps warranted, does not address the systemic corruption that has cost our Treasury millions. An 'Allied internal audit' lacks the necessary impartiality. A single non-voting Ottoman 'liaison officer' on a sub-committee is not partnership; it is tokenism."
The Ottoman counter-proposal, carefully crafted by Murad, Tevfik, Reşid Akif, and Cavit Bey, was then presented by Reşid Akif Pasha. It called for:
1. The immediate suspension of all senior Allied officials directly implicated in Cavit Bey's full (but still unrevealed) dossier, pending a full, joint Ottoman-Allied investigation.
2. The establishment of a new Port Authority Governing Board with equal Ottoman and Allied representation, and an Ottoman chairman.
3. A full, independent forensic audit of all Port accounts for the past three years, conducted by a reputable international firm agreed upon by both sides, with full Ottoman access to all records.
4. A new, transparent formula for revenue sharing, guaranteeing the Ottoman Treasury a significantly larger, predetermined percentage of all gross revenues.
5. Restitution for past proven misappropriations.
General Harington exploded. "This is outrageous! Preposterous! You are in no position to make such demands! This is a return to your government's earlier intransigence!" General Pellé, however, intervened quickly, his eyes darting towards Harington. "Mon Général, perhaps we should study His Highness's counter-proposals with care before dismissing them out of hand. There may be elements upon which a… mutually acceptable compromise can be built, in light of the… unfortunate international attention this matter is now receiving." Marquis Garroni eagerly seconded Pellé. "Indeed! Dialogue, compromise! Surely we can find a path that satisfies Ottoman concerns for sovereignty and our own needs for security and efficiency. Italy is always ready to facilitate such understanding." Harington looked from Pellé to Garroni, his face suffused with anger, clearly feeling undermined by his French and Italian colleagues who were now visibly spooked by the international scandal and their own potential culpability. He knew London wanted a "swift resolution," not a renewed, wider confrontation if the Ottomans had more damaging evidence.
Tevfik Pasha and Reşid Akif Pasha pressed their advantage calmly but firmly, dissecting the inadequacies of the initial Allied offer and reiterating the justice of their own demands. The meeting dragged on for another two hours, filled with tense exchanges, veiled threats from Harington, and increasingly desperate attempts by Pellé and Garroni to find some middle ground that would appease the Ottomans without completely dismantling Allied control or admitting the full extent of the scandal. No final agreement was reached that day. But as Tevfik and Reşid Akif departed, they knew the dynamic had fundamentally shifted. The Allies were no longer dictating; they were being forced to negotiate, to react. The chink in their armor was widening.
They reported immediately to Murad at Yıldız Palace. Cavit Bey was present, his eyes blazing as he heard of Harington's outburst and Pellé's and Garroni's wavering. "They are on the run, Your Majesty!" Cavit declared. "Their unity is fracturing! We must press harder! Release more of the dossier if they continue to resist our just demands!" "Patience, Cavit Bey," Murad cautioned, though a grim smile played on his lips. "We have them off balance. Now is the time for steadfast diplomacy, backed by the continued threat of full exposure. Reşid Akif Pasha, you will convey to the High Commissioners tomorrow that while we appreciate their willingness to discuss, their initial offer remains unacceptable. We await a substantially revised proposal from them that addresses our core demands for co-management, a genuine audit, and restitution. The one-week deadline has passed, but our expectation for a just resolution has not."
That evening, Esad Bey brought further news. "Your Majesty, the articles in the London press are more prominent today. Several MPs have indeed tabled formal questions to the government regarding the Constantinople Port administration, demanding official statements. The French government has issued a brief, non-committal statement promising to 'investigate any allegations of misconduct by French personnel.' The Italian press is now openly speculating about a 'crisis of confidence' among the Allied commands in Constantinople." The international pressure was undeniably mounting. The foundations of Allied arrogance were being shaken by the simple, persistent assertion of truth. Murad knew the battle for the Port, and for his Empire's soul, was far from over. The Allies still held most of the cards in terms of raw power. But today, his government had negotiated not from a position of abject weakness, but from one of newfound moral leverage. The chink in their armor was real. And Murad intended to widen it, until the entire edifice of their unjust domination began to crumble.