FETHIYE DURING THE YEARS OF THE INDEPENDENCE WAR

During the War and Italian Invasion

During the Balkan Wars the loca inhabitants paid their dues and fulfilled all the required sacrifices.

With the start of World War I,thousands of citizens from the region were sent to fronts such as Caucasia, Yemen, Macedonia, Galicio, Dardanelles, Paletsine and other unfamiliar areas, a majority of which died in these remote places.

During the war, on the basis of the London Treaty signed in 1915, the Mediterranean coastline near Antalya was granted to Italy. However, on learning that its share was smaller than that of the French, a new treaty was signed between Italy and England-France, where Izmir was also given to the former, subject to Russia's approval. The establishment of the Bolshevik Regime in Russia altered the conditions. On 2 November 1918, Venizelos demanded that the region between Makri and Erdel in Western Anatolia, with its Greek population of 8 1 2.000 should be turned over to Greece.

When the war ended with the defeat of the Ottomans, during the Paris Peace Conference, there was a major contention between Italy and Greece regarding Izmir where England supported the Greeks.

Faced with opposition from England and the U.S.A.Italy started working on a policy of an independent Turkey which was presented to the allies and, for the purpose of realisation of economical and political expectations, secret agreements were executed which were concentrated on regions promised to Italy.

The Italians frequently sent warships to regions they had a claim on and later, preparatory to their invasion, attempted to win over the mayors, the inhabitants and prominent personalities with various commitments, as well as promoting chaotic events at places where they organized reconnoitering trips, thus ensuring the nonconfidence of the public to the existing authority. In addition, the Italian soldiers distributed postcards and sweets to children of the region, also providing free-of-charge medical treatment and medicine, to gain popularity among the public, From 16 March 1919 onwards, the Italians organized a naval commando station along the Mediterranean coastline extending from the Twelve Islands and the bay of Kusadası to Antalya. Italians were quite successful in their strategy.

ITALIAN INVASION OF FETHIYE

Antalya was invaded by the Italians on 28 March 1919. Meanwhile, Venizelos was hying to provoke Greeks with assistance from the Red Cross. In the Makri region with a majority of Greek population, the Greeks carried on their activities. By the end of March 1919, the Greeks wanted to enlarge the scope of the Red Cross and asked for Red Cross stations to be established at Izmir, Urla, Manisa and Makri. Meanwhile, the Italians, concentrating on the Anatolian cities along the Mentese coastline after Antalya, instigated some serious steps preparatory to invasion. Since the Italians could not obtain approval of all their demands during the Paris Peace Conference, they wished to start certain activities in Anatolia to intimitate their allies. However, the Greeks, opposing the Italians and supported by principal countries, wished to be influential in the Makri region. As of 3 April' 1919, the grapevine kept talking about the arriva of a Red Cross ship of Greek origin in Makri.

On 8 April 1919 an Italian torpedo boat brought in some weapons and soldiers, aided by the Italian representative, but there was no further action by the Italians.

 When the Italians could not get what they wished at the Paris Peace Conference, the Prime Minister Orlan do returned to Rome. On 24-25 April 1919 Italians invaded Konya. On 6 May 1919, when a decision was reached at the Peace Conference permitting the Greeks to take over Izmir, Italians moved their invasion in the direction of Izmir, both to extend their areas and also to prevent Greece from moving southwards after Yzmir. The first point invaded by the Italians was Makri (1 1 May 1919). In the afternoon of the same day Marmaris and Bodrum were occupied by the Italians.

In spite of protests that these occupations were contrary to the conditions of the armistice, Makri, Bodrum and Marmaris were taken over by the Italian forces. While the Ottoman officials protested that the Italian occupation was against the terms of the armistice and Italy claiming that it was in accordance with the conditions set out therein, the Governor of Izmir, Mr. Ahmet Izzet made a statement to the effect that Italians landed a few soldiers on the shores of Mentese which was definitely not an invasion and there was nothing to worry about.

However, with supporting forces brought over from Antalya and the islands, the invasion army in Marki and Marmaris was soon reported to be numbered by hundreds and protests were made in the news media.

Fethiye during and after the Invasion At a meeting held on 14 May 1919, the President of the U.S.A. was the first speaker and said the lower plains of the Meander River should also be granted to Greece.

Italy, on the other hand, moved its area of invasion towards north to prevent Greece from moving southwards. Italians occupied Kusadasy on 13 May, Seljuk on 14 May, Afyon and Akhisar on 16 May and Soke on 17 May.

When the Ottaman Ministry of Foreign Affairs Drew When the Ottoman Ministry of Foreign Aff up a declaration of protest addressed to the Italian Delegation, Italians replied that they did indeed occupied Kusadası, Seljuk and Megri and while there was public order in these regions, they took these steps to avoid trouble in the future.

While Italians were getting ready to occupy Milas, they were also active in Makri. They started repairing the road connecting Makri to Kaya and the Italian official inspector at Makri attempted to collect the weapons of the residents for the purposes of security which was prevented by the efforts of the governor of Mentese.

In the reports of developments submitted to the Ottoman Sublime Porte through the Ministry of Interior Affairs via the Governor of Mentese, it was pointed out that the Italian occupation was just as unjust as the Greek invasion. It was further reported that these assaults would be dealt with only on political grounds. that there was no intention of getting involved in battles, coups and arguments; that the public would be enlightened about the undesirable consequences of such invasions, and that every attempt would be made to resolve this matter peacefully.

In the year 1919, Italians occupied Milas on 2 June, Yatagan and Cine on 5 June, Burdur on 28 June and Mugla on 23 July.

 Meanwhile the rivalry between Italy and Greece in the occupied regions in Anatolia continued. Italian officers were very helpful to villagers and the Italian agents collected signatures from the people, like the Greeks, as propaganda material of the approval of the local Moslems in favour of Italians.

On 17 May 1919 the Mentese inhabitants formed the secret Society of National Defense. A Nationalist Forces Committee was established at Makri. Among the leaders of this Committee were Osman Maro of Cesme, Kamil sikman, Salih Zeki Pekin, Dr. Vasfi and Hilmi Dogerli.

   While this Committee carried out its work, an Italian soldier was assasinated at Makri on 7 August 1919.The commander of the Italian occupational forces issued a threatening declaration. In the third month of the Makri Committee of Nationalist Forces, a very unexpected event occured: Greece sent an ideological group to Makri under the name of "Red Cross Delegation".

On 1 8 August 1919, a Greek boat entering the port of Makri wished to land an observer, whereupon the Italians sent a memorandum to the Governor of Makri, expressing their wish to mutually ensure security, which is rejected by the Makri people.

During the congress at Nazilli, it was decided to bind all towns and villages to Mugla.

At Makri, on the other hand, the Governor, Kaya Subdistrict Administrator Mr. Hasan, the Mayor Mr. Cemal and military authorities established close ties with their neighbours, especially with Köyceğiz Committee of Nationalist Forces, and were able to acquire arms. However, the undisciplined attitudes of the guerillas and the swashbuckling youths were detrimental to the spirit of the Nationalist Forces. Regular units of gendarmes caught these youths and tried to establish order.

The Commander of the 57th Army Corps, Colonel sefik sent a cable to Yorük (Nomad) Ali, who was in Mugla, saying, "these disreputable attitudes, these oppressions are a God-send for our enemies and a disaster for our poor nation", and asking him to be more seriously involved. Alyman Ago of Karaculha and his group, meanwhile, came to the aid of the members of Fethiye Nationalistic Forces to prevent looting. At this time, the groups favouring Son-in-law Ferit, as well as appointed civil servants were opposed to nationalistic movements.

On 18 April 1920, a British warship arrived at the port of Makri and later on Atkinson, who was then mining chrome ores at Makri, tried to stage an uprising; but the British were finally banished from Marki never-to return.

Italians treated the people in Makri well after the invasion. However, faced with the resolution of Turkish

Nation, they could not stay long, departing from the quay of Makri on 21 June 1 920. This was one of the happiest days for the people of Makri.

During the most intensive days of the War of Independence, the rural region of Makri was the center of AWOLs, bandits and guerillas. This is also a period when the village chiefs were most powerful. However, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal, all these obstacles were overcome and the people in Marki contributed all they could to the struggle, rendering whatever they possessed.