Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 131, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 June 1913 — SHUKRI PASHA’S PLEA [ARTICLE]

SHUKRI PASHA’S PLEA

Wanted World to Know That He Did Not Surrender

Details of Manner In Which Noted Turkish Commander Was Made a Prisoner at Adrianople by Victorious Bulgarians.

Sofia, Bulgaria.—One of the mogt interesting incidents of the fall of Adrianople was the manner in which Shukri Pasha, the brave defender of the city, was captured. When brought to Sofia he emphasized the fact that he did not surrender to, but was captured by the Bulgarians. His capture, indeed, was a romantic one. During those eventful days, March 24 and 25, upon which the fate of the capital of Thrace was decided, Shukri Pasha’s activity was Intense. He was directing affairs everywhere. When, after a series of most bloody encounters the victorious Bulgars of the Twenty-third regiment had come to the last Turkish fortification and there was a pause and a wavering for a moment, Lieutenant Colonel Pashinoff. seizing the regiment’s flag, spurred his horse forward, shouting: “My boys, for the honor of Bulgaria, for the honor of our army, for the honor of the Twenty-third regiment, forward! Follow me!” These words had a magic effect upon the men, and one after another all the forts connected with tt\e Aivas-Baba fell into the hands of the Bulgarians. When the Turkish officials and population found out that resistance was hopeless and that the whole city was enveloped by the Bulgarians, they began to surrender. Lieutenant Colonel Marcholeff, after sending two detachments of his cavalry into various directions of the city to Institute order, started for the government house, where he surprised a large number of the .Turkish officials and pashas, among whom were Ismaiel Pasha, commandant of the city, Rifaat Pasha, commander of the artillery, and others. “Where Is Shukri Pasha?” demanded Marcholeff. "We don’t know,” was the answer. The Bulgarian officer drew his revolver and, pointing It at Rifaat Pasha, shouted again: Is Shukri Pasha?” Rifaat, with a Aolheadedness typical of a Turkish pasha, answered: “We do not know, but if you will wait a minute I will inquire about him.” With Rifaat Pasha leading, the party started for Hasderluck.

At Hasderluck the Bulgarians found some 300 officers and officials gathered there for safety. Shukrl Pasha, however, was not among them. Here Marcholeff recognized Teklr Bey, an old acquaintance, of whom he asked where the commandant of Adranople was. He was immediately led to a small annex, in the basement of which Shukrl Pasha, together with ten*>f his trusted officers, had taken refuge. Colonel Marcholeff, on opening the door of the underground chamber, at once knew who Shukri Pasha was. He first saluted him and then said: “In the name of dur royal majesty, the king, I command you to follow me. You are a prisoner!” Shukri Pasha was thunderstruck at the suddenness of the procedure. After recovering from the shock he answered coolly, “I beg to say that I am not a prisoner, (or I have sent messengers who have not yet returned. I have just sent four more.” .**K is too late,” was the reply of Colonel Marcholeff. “All of yohr forts have fallen, your army has been beaten at all points and your soldiers and officers have been made prisoners.”

On hearing this, Shukri Pasha wept like a child. Then he said: “I didn’t think the end would come so soon." “Do not be depressed, general,” said Colonel Marcholeff. “Your splendid defense of the city has elicited the admiration of the whole world. Come, let us go. The orders are to take you to General Ivanoff.” “Kindly wait a minute more,” entreated the aged man. Meanwhile he sat down and began writing something. On finishing he turned to the colonel and asked him to read what he had written. “You and I are soldiers,” he said. "We have our enemies, and I especially sign this paper in which I describe how I and my staff were captured. Our enemies may say we have surrendered, when, Allah! I never thought of surrendering the city." - Colonel Marcholeff complied with his request Half an hour later Shukri Pasha and General Ivanoff met. The Bulgarian general showed the greatest civility and respect for the Turkish commander, telling him that the defense was almost equal to the attack. “The defense of Adrainople will add great luster to both Bulgarian and Turkish history,” declared General Ivanoff.