onth a
fresh Turco-German convention was signed, whereby was enforced a
reciprocal surrender in both countries of persons liable to military
service, and of deserters, and simultaneously all Turks living in
Switzerland, and who had paid exemption money, were recalled to their
Germanised fatherland. By now the first crops of the year were ripening
in Smyrna, and in default of civilian labour (for every one was now a
soldier) they were reaped by Turkish soldiers and the produce sent
direct to Germany.

Already in August 1916, certificates of Ottoman nationality had been
granted to Serbians resident in the Empire who were willing to become
Ottoman subjects, and their 'willingness' was intensified by hints that
incidents akin to the Armenian massacres might possibly occur among
other alien peoples. They had to sign a declaration that they would not
revert to their former nationality, and thus, no doubt, many Serbs
passed into the Turkish army. Further enrolments were desirable, and, in
March 1917, all Greeks living in Anatolia were forcibly proselytised,
their property was confiscated, and they were made liable to military
service. Unfortunately all were not available, for of those who were
removed from the villages where they lived to military centres, ten per
cent. died on the forced marches from hunger and exposure. That was
annoying for the German recruiting agents, but it suited well enough the
Pan-Turkish ideal of exterminating foreign nationalities. When trouble
or discontent occurred among the troops, it was firmly dealt with, as,
for instance, when, in November 1916, there were considerable desertions
from the 49th Division. On that occasion the order was given to fire on
them, and many were killed and wounded. The officer who gave the order
was commended by the Prussian authorities for his firmness. Should such
an incident occur again, it will no doubt be dealt with no less
firmness, for, in April 1917, Mackensen was put in supreme command of
all troops in Asia Minor. But in spite of this desertions have largely
increased lately, and during the summer deserters out of all the Turkish
armies were believed to number about 200,000. Many of those have formed
themselves into brigand bands, who make the roads dangerous for
travellers. The exchange of honours goes on, for not long ago, in
Berlin, Prince Zia-ed-Din, the Turkish Sultan's heir, presented a sword
of honour to the Sultan William II. Probably he gave him good