Polemics Debate of Old-New Kemal Ahmet's Case Against the Accusation That He Had Turned Bourgeois Against Leftist Pretenders Against the Accusation that He was a Nationalist Reaction was not late in coming. Four days later, again in "Akşam," Orhan Selim published "İt Ürür Kervan Yürür No. 2." Longer than the first article of the same title, among other things, it said: "From the casting of the Caliph seven layers into the bottom of hell to the wearing of hats, there have been those whose hearts were torn apart in every step of the republican revolution. From the perspective of the revolution, there were those who felt iron clasps choking them as imperialism was being cast into the sea, and as steps were being taken toward pure Turkish. I was aware of all this. And this awareness led me to expect that when I wrote an article called "İt Ürür Kervan Yürür," the green-turbaned would stir in the dark, round-beard smelling of Arabian oils would be stoked. What I expected to happen did happen. With a small difference, however: instead of openly hollering, "İstemezük" (Shariat and we say Nay), they made me, Orhan Selim the 'mechanical worker earning wages by his pen', indirectly into a stepping stone. Because I declared that I saw the entire history of humanity consisted of a struggle between caravans that continued on their way and dogs that barked at them, I have been told I would no longer be able to earn wages. "The man by the name Orhan Selim is nothing but an object that, as a technical, writing worker, has for the past two months been writing essays in pure Turkish in the newspaper "Akşam." But he has a pair of eyes that see and a pair of ears that hear. Thus he understands that those who have cut off their Arabian-oily round beards and have exchanged their green turbans for bowties, are cunningly intending to manipulate the world around them, with a 'Father Tahir' colouring to their voice, à propos of Orhan Selim." (9 January 1935) On 11 January 1935, Orhan Selim published in his column at "Akşam," a letter he had received from Nâzım Hikmet: "My light-weight, thin, naive son Orhan Selim! For two months I have been reading your writings, and some couple of times have read what's been written about and to you. The bullets of all those who counter you, seek your back, but in order to hit my breast. [...] "You have published an article entitled "İt Ürür Kervan Yürür." In every country that has made a revolution, that article may be read as a song of the heart. But, again in every country that has made a revolution, there would be those that are deeply offended as they watch the caravan move on and disappear from sight and thus perceive this song as a death march. In fact, you have offended some! These have threatened to deprive you of your means of earning a living. 'We'll cut off your income', they have said. They have attempted to intimidate you by throwing a stone at me through you. They frowned, observing that 'You're treading dangerous ground'. "You are a novice, an inexperienced writer. How can you, in all your naiveté compete with those aged wolves who were taught by the powers of darkness ans learned every lesson of imperviousness? "Look, there they go again, claiming that it is my heart that drives your pen, that they are fierce, untouchable lions, stronger than the strongest, and thus seek to intimidate and cower you. "Never mind then, son, Orhan Selim! They have two aims in prolonging the fight: one is to deprive you of your means of earning a living by provoking you; the other is to increase their sales! Do not fall into the trap, son! [...] "Let them say what they will; you stop fighting. Else, you will show yourself not to grasp the meaning of that proverb you like so much." The polemic between Nâzım Hikmet and Peyami Safa took place while the two were on the staff of the same newspaper. On the second page of the paper "Tan," the left-hand column entitled, 'This, From Me' was Orhan Selim's while the right-hand column entitled 'As I Reflect', belonged to Peyami Safa. They were of diverse opinion in most matters. Everywhere in the world, relations between national socialists and communists had become strained. Spain was headed for civil war. Many years later in his memoirs, "Tan"s owner Zekeriya Sertel was going to describe the relations between the two columnists occupying the same page in the following words: "Nâzım was keen on spreading communism and converting those around him to communism. Therefore, the most prominent subject of their discussion was communism. The very subject drove Peyami Safa mad. Peyami was a very brilliant and talented young man. He had recently won acclaim by his novel 'Fatih-Harbiye'. Nâzım was earnestly bent on winning him over to the cause. He patiently took all Peyami's blows and hysterics, as patiently attempting to persuade him, but intelligent as he was, Peyami also had evil in his soul. He drank too much, and was also known to smoke hashish. In this sense too, he was the direct opposite of Nâzım. He was jealous of Nâzım's influence and made a point of calling white what Nâzım said was black. He was jealous of Nâzım's influence, and feared coming under his influence. Nâzım ignored all of this and persisted in wanting to win him over. "Conversely, Peyami tried to dissuade Nâzım from communism. But he would go delirious whenever he had to face the fact that he was alone in his project. The discussion continued for many months. In the end, Peyami opted for fascism and left us. From then on, he became passionately anti-communist and served fascism for the rest of his life. He launched fierce attacks against communists. Especially against Nâzım and us, there was no slander, no denunciation left which he did not attempt." ^ Top | Next >