1921, November 10th, Thursday.
The tenth of November dawned with a chill wind sweeping down the Bosphorus, mirroring the frigid diplomatic climate that Reşid Akif Pasha, Sultan Murad VII's Foreign Minister, was about to navigate. Today, he would embark on his carefully orchestrated series of individual meetings with the Allied High Commissioners. Armed with the concise summary of the "Ledger of Lies" and the Sultan's blessing, his mission was to apply targeted pressure, to present the damning evidence of corruption within the Port Authority, and to deliver the polite but firm demand for Allied-led reforms within one week, with the implicit threat of wider exposure should they fail.
Murad met with Reşid Akif and Grand Vizier Tevfik Pasha in his study before the Foreign Minister departed. The atmosphere was one of controlled tension. "Reşid Akif Pasha," Murad said, his gaze steady, "you carry with you today not just the concerns of my government, but the weight of evidence that exposes a profound betrayal of trust by those who claim to be here for 'stability and order.' Remember, your approach is not one of supplication, but of a sovereign state demanding rectification for wrongs committed on its soil, against its people. Be firm, be precise, and observe their reactions meticulously. We need to understand not just their official stance, but their individual vulnerabilities." "I understand, Your Imperial Majesty," Reşid Akif replied, the portfolio containing the damning summary and his diplomatic notes held firmly in his hand. "My first meeting is with General Harington at the British High Commission. Thereafter, General Pellé, and finally, Marquis Garroni. It will be a long and challenging day." "May Allah guide your words and grant you strength, Pasha," Tevfik Pasha added, his own experienced face etched with concern. "The fate of this initiative rests heavily upon your diplomatic skill."
Reşid Akif Pasha's first encounter was, as anticipated, the most formidable. General Sir Charles Harington received him in his imposing office, the very picture of British imperial authority. His demeanor was cold, his eyes sharp and suspicious. He had clearly not appreciated the previous joint démarche being effectively superseded by this new, individual approach. "Monsieur le Ministre," Harington began, foregoing any pleasantries, "I trust this summons, initiated by your good self, pertains to a matter of genuine urgency. My time, as you know, is considerably occupied with ensuring the security of this city." Reşid Akif, unperturbed, presented the concise summary of the Port Authority documents. "General," he stated calmly, "His Imperial Majesty's government has come into possession of disturbing evidence detailing significant financial irregularities and apparent corruption within the administration of the Constantinople Port Authority. These irregularities, as outlined in this summary, represent a serious breach of fiduciary duty and a considerable loss of revenue that rightfully belongs to the Ottoman Treasury and people." He detailed a few of the most egregious examples from the summary – phantom contracts, diverted funds, unrecorded duties – without revealing the full extent of their knowledge or the names of all implicated. "This evidence, General," Reşid Akif continued, "is of such a grave nature that, were it to become public, it would undoubtedly cause a major international scandal and severely damage the prestige of the Allied administrations here." General Harington's face, initially dismissive, slowly hardened as he scanned the summary. He recognized some of the internal references, the departmental codes. This was not mere speculation. "This is an extraordinary accusation, Minister," he said, his voice tight. "Are you suggesting Allied officials are involved in... common thievery?" "I am suggesting, General," Reşid Akif replied, meeting his gaze, "that the system currently in place at the Port Authority is demonstrably corrupt and is being exploited. His Imperial Majesty's government believes these irregularities must be rectified immediately and transparently by the High Commissions themselves, with the full and active partnership of Ottoman officials in a genuinely reformed Port administration. We expect a formal proposal from the Allied High Commissions outlining such concrete and satisfactory reforms within one week from today. Should such reforms not be forthcoming, or be deemed inadequate, the Ottoman government will be morally obligated to take all necessary further steps to protect its sovereign interests and expose this wrongdoing to ensure justice is served."
Harington's eyes narrowed. The veiled threat was unmistakable. "Are you threatening His Majesty's Government, Minister?" "Not at all, General," Reşid Akif said smoothly. "I am merely stating the inevitable consequences should such a grave matter not be addressed with the urgency and seriousness it warrants. We are offering you, and your Allied colleagues, the opportunity to rectify this situation internally and discreetly, thereby preserving the integrity of your own administrations." He then rose. "I will leave this summary with you. I have similar meetings with your French and Italian colleagues today. We await your collective, constructive response within the week."
His meeting with General Pellé, the French High Commissioner, followed a different, though equally tense, trajectory. Pellé, a man of considerable Gallic pride and cynicism, initially attempted to dismiss the summary with a wave of his hand. "My dear Minister, these are common accusations in any port city. A few minor officials perhaps lining their pockets… it is hardly a matter for such high-level diplomatic intervention." Reşid Akif, however, highlighted a specific instance from the summary that pointed towards a French-led consortium involved in one of the inflated contracts. Pellé's dismissiveness vanished, replaced by a keen, calculating look. "This requires… further study," he said slowly. "France, of course, insists on the utmost probity from its officials and associated enterprises. We will examine your concerns, Minister." He was clearly less interested in a joint Allied defense than in assessing any specific French liability. Reşid Akif left feeling he might have planted a seed of discord, or at least, self-preservation.
Marquis Garroni, the Italian High Commissioner, was smoother still. He expressed profound 'shock' and 'dismay' at the presented summary, lamenting the "shameful actions of a few individuals who besmirch the honor of all." He was effusive in his assurances that Italy would never condone such corruption and would fully support any investigation that brought culprits to justice. However, he also subtly probed Reşid Akif, attempting to ascertain the full extent of the Ottoman evidence and whether specific Italian nationals or interests were implicated in the larger, unrevealed dossier. Reşid Akif politely deflected, reiterating the call for a joint Allied reform proposal. Garroni promised his "fullest cooperation in finding a just and equitable solution."
By late afternoon, a weary but resolute Reşid Akif Pasha returned to Yıldız Palace to debrief Murad and Tevfik Pasha. "It is done, Your Majesty, Your Highness," he reported. "The summaries have been delivered. The demand for reform within one week has been made clear to all three. General Harington was… predictably hostile but clearly shaken by the specificity of the information. General Pellé was initially dismissive, then concerned when French interests were touched upon. Marquis Garroni was outwardly cooperative, but I sense he is primarily concerned with protecting Italian interests from any fallout." "Did you detect any willingness on their part to genuinely reform the Port administration, or was it all damage control?" Murad asked. "Primarily damage control at this stage, Your Majesty," Reşid Akif assessed. "Harington will likely advocate for a stonewalling approach, perhaps a strong counter-accusation. Pellé and Garroni might be more inclined towards a superficial investigation to sacrifice a few low-level scapegoats, hoping to appease us without ceding any real control. Their united front, however, will likely hold in public. None of them want this scandal to erupt." "The one-week deadline is now active," Tevfik Pasha stated gravely. "We must prepare for all eventualities when it expires."
As this high-level diplomatic chess game unfolded, Kolağası Esad Bey's intelligence operatives were also at work. He delivered his own report to Murad later that evening. "Your Majesty, my sources within the Allied High Commissions report considerable agitation following Reşid Akif Pasha's visits. There have been urgent, closed-door meetings at all three legations. General Harington, in particular, is said to be furious and has ordered an immediate internal security review at the Port Authority, suspecting a high-level leak. They are trying to identify Arif Efendi, or someone like him. His disappearance has almost certainly been noted by now." "Is Arif and his family still secure, Esad Bey?" Murad asked sharply. "Yes, Your Majesty. They are well hidden and protected. But the Allied search will be relentless. We must assume they will eventually trace the leak to him, even if they cannot find him." Esad Bey continued, "More significantly, Your Majesty, there are indications of disagreement amongst the Allies. My contact close to the French mission overheard a heated exchange where General Pellé apparently argued against Harington's preferred tactic of outright denial and counter-threat, suggesting it might be wiser to offer some 'cosmetic concessions' regarding the Port to avoid a larger public embarrassment, especially if the Ottomans truly possess more detailed evidence." Murad exchanged a significant look with Tevfik Pasha. This was precisely the kind of pressure point they had hoped to find.
The routine of governance continued amidst these tensions. Cavit Bey, working with a small, handpicked team of incorruptible accountants, was meticulously preparing the full dossier from Arif Efendi's documents, cross-referencing every detail, building an unshakeable case. Ferik Fevzi Pasha reported that the first Hassa Ordusu recruits were responding well to the rigorous training, their morale boosted by new uniforms and slightly better rations (funded by Kenan Pasha's seized assets). He was, however, facing increasing difficulties in acquiring further arms and ammunition discreetly, as Allied surveillance on all known depots had visibly tightened in the last 24 hours – a clear consequence of the Port Authority démarche. Sheikh-ul-Islam Nuri Efendi confirmed that his sermon for the upcoming Friday Jumu'ah was ready. It would be a powerful call for justice, integrity, and the rejection of corruption, themes that would undoubtedly resonate with the populace and offer spiritual support to the government's stance.
As the day ended, Murad felt the immense strain of the high-stakes game he was playing. He had successfully applied pressure to the Allied High Commissioners, exploiting their fear of public scandal. He had perhaps even sown minor seeds of discord amongst them. But he had also initiated a one-week countdown, at the end of which a major confrontation loomed if the Allies did not offer satisfactory reforms. Their intelligence services were now fully alerted and hunting for the source of his information. The pressure points had been pressed. Now came the dangerous wait to see if the adversary would bleed, or if the pressure would cause the entire fragile structure of Murad's new Ottoman government to collapse. He prayed for the success of the humble traveler from Konya, still making his way to Ankara, carrying another, perhaps even more vital, set of whispers.