The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-04 00:00:00

THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE.

(From the Times' Correspondent.)
CONSTANTINOPE, June 25.
An intelligent English officer, who for the last six
months has devoted his time to the study of the
Servian question, in connection with the difficulties
which had arisen between the Porte and that de-
pendency, has just returned from that country, and
the information which in that space of time he has
acquired on the subject of the Servian Government
and the Servian people affords an instructive lesson
with reference to the irresponsible statements which
go abroad, and which, for want of accurate know-
ledge on the subject, remain uncontradicted, and
from the mere force of persistence and repetition
gradually creep into our political creed as articles of
faith. It is not lrkely that we shall see the end of
the Servian question for some time. It is one
which diplomacy will never settle, and which can
only find a solution in an armed struggle, and this
will eventually decide whether the Turks are able to
maintain their present position in regard to their
semi-dependent provinces, and to strengthen their
hold on them by crushing the turbulent and ambi-
tious aspirations which are daily gaining ground ;
or whether the elements of opposition, becoming too
strong to be subdued, will open up a new phase in
connection with the great Eastern question, by re-
ducing it to a trial of strength between the Suze-
rain Power and its vassal. For this reason it is not
inopportune to avail oneself of the new lights which
are brought to bear on Servian affairs by an eye-

witness who has had every opportunity of arriving
at a correct estimate of the state of things in that
province, and -whose authority is the more trust-
worthy because it is not vitiated by any precon•
ceived ideas or prejudices, or any partiality on the
one side or the other. It is represented by my in-
formant that the greatest difficulty which attended
his investigation, and which it would seem is often
experipcedin Servia by any travellers whose state-
ments are likely to influence public opinion abroad,
arose from the impediments which were constantly
opposed by the official class against any indepen-
dent and free intercourse with the people them-
selves. So long therefore as his observations were
made under the intimidating influence which the
Court and Government exorcise over the popula-
tion, he was met by a certain amount of unanimity
in opinion hostile to the Turks. In time, however,
his suspicions were aroused, and he determined to
rid himself of the surveillance which dogged his
movements, and to endeavour by constant and fami-
liar intercourse with the people themselves to ascer-
tain what their real feeling was. It was not with-
out much difficulty that he contrived from time to
time to escape from the official restraint which
was put upon him; and he declares that in excur-
sions in the very heart of the country, and in a
close and minute survey of public opinion during
his 'wanderings, extending from one extremity of
Servia to the other, he found, with very few excep-
tions, the whole population more opposed to the
revolutionary and encroaching policy of the Go-
vernment than to the nominal protectorate of Tur-
key. Nor can this be wondered at when it is con-
sidered that Servia, although comparatively rich in
the resources which nature affords, is poor as regards
the development of those resources. When, out of a
population of one million of inhabitants, not less
than 105,000 men are employei in the service of the
Militia, the consequences to the country as regards
the interests of agriculture and industry must be
disastrous ; and such it would seem is the real state
of the case. Tinder the influence of the ambitious
projects of the Prince the province has assumed
lately all the terrors of a military despotism. The
general expression of the people when they can
give vent to their feelings unrestrained is to this
effect:—`` Our independence is guaranteed by the
protecting Powers ; the Turks do not interfere with
us. We are in no fear of aggression from other
pursuits, Why should wo
owfeagrerqicuuilrteuarlallour available,hands for the
which is utterly incompatible with our gebxue taferontrescricosdn; into the adoption of a military systera
drequire-
ments,ens i and
tl
which we can reap no advantage ?"
binetgerreosutndofdofinwnamwbiitthiouinstopleorliaebyl,e
t.b_ruomr-
e
formant watched the progress of the large
60,000
ments which are made. The 60,000 or
With the critical eye of a military man Inuit
the
1 !ices by
gujewatz seems to possess all
_.rerstasu
arms
muskets which Russia supplied some
which such changes can be effected, 1:12
all been rifled. The central 'military time
depo.
ta gaot