AFTER VICTORY, THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT WILL BE A REPUBLIC
Mazhar Müfit Bey was something like the chief secretary of
Mustafa Kemal’s movement. He dealt with almost everything at
headquarters and even found the money to cover daily expenses.
Mustafa Kemal Pasha knew that Mazhar Müfit Bey kept notes on the
events of each day. One day, he said to him:
-Write down what I am about to tell you,
but no one must know about this except you, Süreyya, and me!
Then he began dictating:
-July 7–8, 1919, Erzurum, just before
dawn...
He continued:
-First, after victory, the form of
government will be a Republic.
Second, when the time comes, the necessary action will be taken
regarding the Sultan and the Ottoman dynasty.
Third, the wearing of the veil will be abolished.
The fez will be abolished, and the hat will be worn instead.
***
Mazhar Müfit Bey says, “The pen slipped
from my hand.”
The Pasha asked:
-Why did you stop?
-Please don't take offense, Pasha, but you
do have a tendency to chase after dreams!
-Time will prove this when the moment comes. Keep writing!
***
When they reached the fifth item, Mazhar Müfit Bey asked
permission to go to bed, because this item began with the words:
“The Latin alphabet will be adopted.”
Mazhar Müfit Bey had reached the end of his patience, and dawn
was breaking. He asked to be excused and went off to bed. He
probably thought to himself, “Our Pasha
really is quite the dreamer!”
***
Years passed, and almost all the things Mustafa Kemal Pasha had
dictated that night came true.
At a few of his dinners at Çankaya, Atatürk would recall this
incident...
But there was one particular event still to come!
***
Mazhar Müfit Kansu recounts:
"He was returning from Kastamonu after
announcing the Hat Revolution. I was standing in front of the
old Parliament building, watching the procession pass, when I
saw something that I simply could not believe my eyes.
The President of Religious Affairs, who was sitting beside
Atatürk, was also wearing a hat!
As I watched in astonishment, Atatürk slowed down his car,
stopped, and called me over:"
-My dear Mazhar Bey, have you been looking
at your notes? Which item have we reached now?
Note:The Sultanate was abolished on November 1, 1922, and the Republic was proclaimed on October 29, 1923. In 1925, a dress code regulation was introduced.