In addition, another point to remember was that our army was going to fight in the place we wished, not they did, and there it would strike the final blow. Therefore, it was not much important to withdraw and leave some places to the enemy as required. It was necessary to do the requirements of military profession without feeling undetermined. Nevertheless, despite the belief of leaders in victory, the depression of having withdrawn to the eastern part of Sakarya led to willy-nilly shocks; and some environments naturally got anxious and restless.
In the secret session of Turkish parliament on 4 August 1921, emotional negotiations were made on the military condition and formation of chief commander post in this atmosphere. The deputies were looking for a final remedy to revive the tired army and get them out of this trouble. This remedy was the actual commissioning of Mustafa Kemal as the commander of the army. This was because he was a commander who was not defeated in any of the wars he took part. Therefore, people agreed on his being the chief commander. Both his supporters and his opponents wanted him to command the army. The great majority of the Parliament held the opinion that this was the only way for liberation. The negotiations started on 4 August 1921 in the Parliament went on the next day too. Mustafa Kemal Pasha remained outside of these negotiations at first. But, to prevent the possibility that people may think his idea about the situation was hopeless, he put forward the following motion to the Chairman of the Parliament because of insistence of national will wishing to see him as the Chief Commander.
I accept the post of Chief Commander because of general wishes and wills of the distinguished members of the parliament. I undertake this post provided that I use the authorities of the Parliament for obtaining the benefits in the shortest time possible arising therefrom and increasing the material and spiritual power of the army and strengthening the management of army. I additionally demand that this authority be limited for a short period as 3 months to confirm once more that I have been a most loyal servant of national sovereignty for all of my lifetime.
This motion lead to some objections because of the demand of using the authorities of the Parliament. But this was an extraordinary condition and extraordinary conditions, a matter of life and death was the subject of the talk. The duty accepted by Mustafa Kemal was very important, in other words in relation with the destiny of Turkish nation. Making the necessary and most accurate decisions without losing time in the front against the enemy in the swiftest manner was merely possible by using the authorities of the Parliament.
At last, the Parliament found him right in his will. As a result of the negotiations, the law conferring the post of Chief Commander upon Mustafa Kemal Pasha for a period of 3 months to use powers of the Parliament in military issues was unilaterally accepted. The Chief Commander had made his plans and began to execute in the most definite manner. The objective was to take all necessary measures to take us to victory in the shortest time. To this end, 10 National Taxes were issued on 7 and 8 August 1921 signed by himself. These orders formed a National Tax Commission in all districts. Every house was demanded one coat of underwear, a pair of socks, and a pair of rawhide sandals. 40% of stocks of the merchants were confiscated to be paid back after the victory for the material needs of the army. Everybody was to give to the army 40 % of their grain, animal and bait stocks to the army to be paid for later. All available weapons and munitions of the people would be delivered to the army granary within 3 days. A list of ironmongers, metal workers, carpenters, industrial workshops should be prepared and names of their owners would be determined. Thus, all country was invited to an extraordinary mobilization for the prospective victory.
The chief commander, having taken these immediate precautions, went to the Front Headquarters in Polatlı from Ankara on 12 August 1921. Now, Mustafa Kemal Pasha was actually leading the Turkish army in the army.