EVERYONE must have solid convictions by which he can be guided through these difficult times and those that are sure to follow this war. The earlier our opinions are formulated, the better for us. As I was born and brought up in Turkey the social and geographical influences on my life are closely interrelated. Living in a foreign country is bound to influence one's thoughts and opinions considerably. I was reared in an intellectual and cultural atmosphere... We lived on the campus of the College and ever since I can remember, I associated with the boys of various nationalities who went there. Our amusements were comparatively limited. . . . Everyone provided his own... We fell back much more on reading good books . . . rather than on listening to the radio or watching some other provided entertainment. As there were not many American boys of my age nearby, I was alone much of the time. This, for one thing, developed in me an interest in books at an early age. As my mother is English by birth, I have a great many English relatives. They were British merchants in Istanbul who intermarried and, long before the First World War, constituted a British colony. Associating with them so much I have come to like the British. Many Americans unluckily do not understand them. . . . Few families have the good fortune to have so many decent, broadminded neighbors as we had. We knew several Turks, who are, indeed, good, kind people. They are reserved, but are loyal once they become attached to someone or to same thing. My own friends consisted of a son of an American doctor, a Pole who was a naturalized Frenchman and an English boy, son of one of the members of the Robert College faculty. . . . The geographical effects on my life have been many and profound. Living in a country other than your own is bound to influence your thoughts and your attitudes....

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