Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-04-13
FROM CONSTANTINOPLE.
lCorrespondence of the Ohio Statesman ]
CoNsTANTrNopLE, March IA, 1861

CONsTANT1NoPLE, March IA, 1868.
The last news received from the island
of Gambia confirm the particulars about
the struggles which have taken place at
Sphakia and at Kissanois, and the acts of
vandalism committed by the Turkish army.
On the morning of the 4th inst, the troops
commanded hy Sava Pasha had arrested
and treated most cruelty a number OF
Christians, who had received little flour
from the insurgents to keep them from
starving. 1t appears to have been the in
tentlon OF the generous delegate of the
Sultan, that those peasants should die of
starvation. Sava Pasha afterwards en-
deavored to punish in the same manner a
number of inhabitants of the villages of
Ziziphe and MelidOni. The insurgents of
Aporona, however, repulSed bravely the
Mnselman troops, who after some loss were
obliged to retreat to their camp at Caina,
ashamed and enraged at Sava Pasha. 1t
is useless to say that the latter is now dis
pissed, not only by the Christians, but also
by the Muselnans, on account of his
shameless conduct towards his own coun-
trymen. The inhabitants of the eastern
provinces, where the revolution is in full
blaze, have requested the consuls of foreign
powers to send vessels to take their fami-
lies on board, and transport them into
Greece. | am assured by reliable CORES
pondents from these provinces that the in
surgents are firmly resolved co continue
the sacred conflict until they have van
quished the blind stubborness of Turkey
In this capital rumors are afloat about
reforms, but they are sure not to amount
to much; there is too much superficiality in
Turkish diplomacy. In order to do, as
every body else does. the Porte has lust
published its "Red Book" The situation
OF the country generally is decidedly crit
ical the Porte appears finally to understand
that it is necessary to do something more
In q n fn In, r
ever, that it is rather late. Revolution as
sumes threatening aspect on all sides.
The existence of a Bulgarian legion is no
longer secret for any body, and it is gem
orally believed that in the course of the
month or April some decided movement
will be inaugurated in that quarter. In
Servia and Romania the agitation is in
tense, and the Montenegrians are likewise
dissatisfied. There is no doubt but that
Thessaly and Epirus will follow suit. A
Polish legion in course of organization in
this city, at the head of which will be Kan
giewiez. The decisive moment appears to
approach, and we have to keep ourselves
ever in readiness. A letter from Gambia
about the latest struggles says the fol-
lowing: The victory which the Syba-
rites, under the command OF Chionoad-
aki, have had over the Turks, encamped at
Prosgialo, is one OF the most signal ones
which the Cretans have to boastof.
lt is SufnclenC TO say tnaJ battalion OF
Turks owed their salvation merely to the
timely arrival of two trigates, which had
cast anchor within sight of the battle
ground and afforded protection by
their guns. This victory, together
with several others, are a sure evil
dence OF the Cretars not only not hav-
ing lost courage, but also having scared
the Turks. 1t has also been proved that
the Christians, who had hitherto limited
themselves to defensive measures, have
now taken the offensive, which changes
the features of the insurrection considera
bly,. You must have heard that the Grand
Vizier has published his new organization
previous TO his departure. 1t is master
work of judiciary and administrative or
ganization, which is well worth all the
blood shed for its acquisition.
But what do l say? We understand here
that Lord Derby has share in this conces-
sion of His Highncss. One of the points of
this new law provides that the Cretans
would be exempt from land tax for two
years, and would during the following two
years not be held to pay more than one
half of this tax. The question is, however,
where Cretans wou. d find the means where
with to pay taxes to the Pasha, while
it is absolutely impossible to them to find
subsistence on their unhappy island.