that Cemal Pasa had said when the Bulgarians were drawn up before Catalca that he would kiss the feet of those who would save Edirne:

"`Do not kiss our feet,' he said, ` but do not prevent us either. Conditions were no better for those who conquered this country centuries ago than they are for us now. This nation's history is full of the marvels of its brave, believing sons. The politics of the day are making you deceive yourself.' Only Bediuzzaman could have said that in those circumstances, and to Cemal Pasa..."

On 10 August 1913, the Second Balkan War came to an end with the Treaty of Bucharest. Turkey had retaken Edirne, as we have seen, and all of Eastern Thrace. However, the Republic of Western Thrace was to be short-lived: on the peace agreement between the Ottomans and Bulgaria being signed in Istanbul on 29 September, it was returned to Bulgaria.

• Return to Van -1913

Sometime previously to this Bediuzzaman had returned to Van, for it was at that time that he laid the foundations for the Medresetu'z-Zehra. His old patron and friend Tahir Pasa, the Governor of Van, was present at the ceremony, and both he and Bediuzzaman gave speeches. The occasion was marked by further celebrations and a banquet.

During his researches in the Archives of the Prime Minister's Office in Istanbul, Necmeddin Sahiner has unearthed twenty or so documents concerning this matter, most of which bear the seal and signature of Tahsin Bey, the Governor of Van, and are addressed to the Palace and Sultan Resad. N. Sahiner writes that Sultan Resad was well-informed of the progress of the project. In the letter he quotes, dated 4 Haziran 1329 (17 June 1913), the Governor writes to the Grand Vizier's Office that all the ulema, notables, and tribal