THE CONSTANTINOPLE FIRES.
[To TEE EDITOR 07 THE "sPzCrwroa."] Sin,—We beg your permission heartily to commend to all who are able and willing to relieve distressed humanity the appeal for help made on behalf of the unfortunate men, women, and children who have lost their homes and household goods in the recent catastrophe at Stamboul. We are in- formed that the property of few has been covered by insur- ance, and that the need for assistance is very urgent. British
residents at Pera and Galata are co-operating with those of other nationalities in succouring the victims of the fire. A correspondent writes :—
" One can walk for several miles over nothing but ruins and smouldering cinders stretching from the Sea of Harmers almost to the shore of the Golden Horn. 2,500 dwellings, shops, and other buildings have been destroyed. Many thousands are absolutely destitute. Tents have been pitched in every available spot, and families are camping out in the courtyards of mosques, squares, and even on the sites of disused cemeteries. As during the last ten weeks there have been 126 deaths from cholera it is feared that the rate of mortality will greatly increase. The defective municipal arrangements for the prevention of fires and the lack of efficient organization contributed to widen the extent of the disaster ; and it has to be recorded that the fortunate presence of the gunboats stationed in Turkish waters for the service of the Ambassadors has been of the utmost value. All are unanimous in praising the bravery, and activity, and resourcefulness of the foreign naval officers and sailors, through whose courage, and skill, and knowledge in grappling with an emergency the flames were overcome before destroying the entire city."
Apart from those having business relations with the Ottoman Empire, or who have travelled in the European and Asiatic provinces and enjoyed the generous and traditional hospitality of the East, there are, we feel sure, many of our countrymen in the United Kingdom and in the Dominions beyond the Seas who, mindful of our historic associations with Turkey in the past, will be glad to show their practical sympathy with the homeless poor of Stamboul in this their time of sore need.
Donations will be thankfully received by Lloyds Bank, 16 St. James's Street, -London, S. W. Cheques should be crossed " afc Stamboul Fire Fund, British Committee."—We are, Sir, &c.,
HONALDSHAY. GERTRUDE LOWTHIAN BELL.
C. BIRMINGHAM. MARK SYKES.
LAMINGTON. L. S. Alizair.
AVEBURY. EDWARD ATKIN.
E. R. FREMANTLE. Jos. AGAR BEET.
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