The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-07-14
What is the Russian Quarrel with
Turkey!

We have seen variety of articles no.
ticing the rupture between the Sultan and
the Czar, but they all failed to indicate
exactly the point of dispute The ba-
sis of quarrel was, in fact, very like the
origin of the Crusades. It concerned the
Sepulchre of our Lord and the protecto-
rate of the holy places connected with his
history in Jerusalem. The Latin and
Greek churches, under the wingsof France
and Russia, entered the arena; and, at
one time, the question was rather between
the two ecclesiastical branches, than be-
twixt the Russians and Turks. But at
length the frman of the Sultan regulated
the occupation or use of the sacred local
tiles by the Christians of both churches,
and the sovereign's decision was assented
to by the Emperor and the Gear, with
but few reservations. Russia, however,
was resolved not to be contented with
drawn battle. Prince Mentschicoff re-
quired that the privileges granted to the
Greeks of whom his master claims to be
Primate-and which are said to be revo-
cable at will-should be guaranteed by
Syna2agmat1c treaty, in the same manner
that the immunities aid franchises are en-
joyed by the Latins, under the protecto-
rate of France. This demand was reiec-
ted repeatedly by the Divan. The Latins
under the church of Rome amount to but
few thousand, while the Greeks COM
prise fully twelve millions of the Sultans
subjects. The relative ratios of popula-
ton will be more clearly seen in the fol-
lowing table
The number of Turks at Con-
stantinople is 100000
Turks in European Turkey and
the Islands, 100000
Greeks at Constantinople, $4,000
Greeks il European Turkey,
the Island and coast of Asia
Minor, 1850, 900.
Greeks of free Greece. 1900, 1000
Slavonians, Servians, &C., 1900, 900
Bulgarians, 5000, 600
Wallachains, (Dacians) 100000
Walks, (of Pindus) 100000
Albanians, Christians 100000
Armenians, (Christians,) at
Constantinople. 100000
There are also at Constantinople about
10000 other Chrstians of all nations,
and 10000 Israelites, who, from dislike
to Christians always side with the Turks
against them. Among the 100000
Turks in the provinces, 800, 900 in Bosnia
are renegade Slavonians, and almost all
the Turks of Epirus are renegade Alban-
ians.
Accordingly, the Turks contented, with
apparentj justice, that there was no equal
ity in the demands of Russia and France,
especially as the latter power did not pre-
tend, like the Gar, to become an arbitra-
tor between the subjects of the Sultan and
the Sultan himself. The Emperor Of
Russia, as head of the Greek church,
welding the acknoaclcdged spiritual power
and temporal protectornte of twelve mil
lions ofGreeks, would soon be able to coun-
terbalance the authority of the Porte.
At this juncture France, England,
Austria, and Prussia made a concerted
movement, through their ambassadors at
Constantinople, to conciliate the Emperor
and the Sultan. Prince Mentschikoff re-
newed his ultimatum several times. The
Divan took time to reconsider the whole |
controversy. But, in the end, the Sultan |
original resolve to maintain the indepen-
dence of Turkey was fully acq uiesced in,
and on Nay 22d, the Russian envoy en-
barked for Odessa, thoroughly check
mated. 1t is understood that France and
England accorded entirely in the decis-
sion Of the Divan, while it is not unlikely
that the two other powers, or at least
Prussia, coincide in the result.
The next question is-What will Rus
sia do? We prefer to let bis majesty an
Swer that question himself In the mean
while, however, we will present our read
er8 with statement Of the relative forces
Of Russia and Turkey, SO that they may
see that the Sultan is not likely to fall
without struggle that may compare with
the one that preceded the treaty of Ad-
Recent authorities state the
military establishment of the Gar pretty
nearly thus:
sacks, lo1 ,e92
Foot, embracing every descrip-
ton of troops. $40, ,388I
Artillerymen, Pioneers, &C., $3.50
Total, sol 900
These estimates, however, are extreme
y crude, the method being to sum up the
several divisions corps, and regiments of ..
,he army, assigning to each its full COM |
plement of men. The fact, we are con-
idently assured, differs from this result
% the extent of about 5000 men; very
few Of the established corps being filed
up, and many of them existing only in G
name.
The naval armament of Russia, in the I
Black Sea is stated as follows Z
Line-of- Battle ships, IS
Frigates and smaller vessels, 81 '
Steam frigates, 6
smaller steam vessels, Is