New-York tribune., 1868-05-07
TURKEY.
THE FOUR RACES OF EUROPEAN TURKEY.

TIE -FOUR RACES OF EUhOIEAN lOhhhi'
Prom Correspondent
CoNsTASTINOPLE, March Is, 1868.
In previous letter we spoke of the four chief
races of Asiatic Turkey We will now make few
statements about the four chief races of European
Turkey.
First: The Roumans inhabitng the Danubian
Provinces Modavia and Wallachia Thegare' the
descendants of the old Roman Military Colohists'
Their language has more pure Latin words than any
other extant They are all Christians OF the Greek
rite nominally but they seem to have taken Christi
anity rather feebly. If it ever improved their
morals there has been reaction i'll favor of the old
Roman system, spoken Of by st. Paul IN the Inst
chapter of his Epistle to the Romans They number
about four millions and too nearly independent,
TO be regarded as any important part of the Empire
in time of peace. But in or revolutions they
would be sure to pour in their whole force against
the hated Moslems. Moreover Roumania Is rising,
in about the same degree that the Osmanli race Is
retrogradng. The Roumans are advancing Gov
ernment intelligence, and civilization. are making
some progress and the present hereditary Prince is
endeayoring to improve public morals.
Second The second race we have to mention in
European Turkey the Slavic 1t is not the second.
however, in number and importance With some un-
important differences the inhabitants of Bulgaria,
Servia Bosnia and HERZEGOVINA, may be regarded as
of one race. The Buganans arc pure Slaves The Ser
vans are of the family. The Slavic element IN
European Turkey probably amounts to 100000. II
is becoming restless and ambitious. 1t is awaking
from ages Of stupidity aud suppression and is max
ing surprising progress in education intelligence, and
politics It's relationship to Russia by religion, and
race gives IL consciousness Of power and opens TO 1t
great future Russian agents are stirring II mp, and
as race while disposed To fall I'M with Russian plans
il il half conscious that Russia will II selshly
and despotically. The Ottoman power regards with
lust alarm the movements and tendencies Of this
powerful Slavic element.
Tbrd: The third race Of European Turkey is the
Greek 1t is also widely spread in Aslatic Turkey,
but il regards Europe its home and us faiTe III
NAV number two three millions in all the Empire.
and little than one million IN Greece proper
Ambitious restless intelligent, onterprisng. and sue
cessful in commerce. IL aims at Empire. IL Is pre-
dominant in Thessaly and Eprus. lt would like TO
claim rs cOmpatrOts for political purposes all VINO
belong to the Greek Church; but unfortunately the
Greek Church. as q religion, has had no hRVunq
power and the intense nationality OF slavic race WIZ
never follow Greek leadership. IL is however ter
rible thorn in the side of Turkey:
Fourth The fourth race IN European turkey ~
Albanian, about half Christian aud half Moslem.
They are bad Christians and bad Ainssnmans: They
eiety is lust giving them their first sehoobooks and
Testaments. There is proveTb among the TURKS
BoOkless as an Albanian" They are nevertheless.
brave waTlike and spirited, and make excellent
soldiers, bandits. and robbers We may consider
them as one and half millions.
III
Turkey i'm regard to their religion, there IS con
siderable miring mp of the matter. There may be
about 100000 of Mussulmans or Mohammedans, OF
whom not more than lOOOOJO probably are usmdhH
Turks and the rest by Greek Slavic, ROuma-
man. and Albanian. These Mussulmans renegades
from Chrstianty, are often extremely ianatlcal ana
bigoted. But they not so generally. Were there
perfect freedom allowed. there is no doubt but many
would return 20 Christianity.
The numerous other smaller races OF the Empire,
the M0ntenegrins the Zezidees, Kuzzelbasheos, Clip
sizes Jews. MarOntes Druses, we omit as 0i no great
political importance. What must strike every one.
is that of these eight races. four in Asiac Turkey
mainly, and four in European, IRE are Christian
races. These races are all increasing in numbers IN
intelligence, and IN enterprise The ruling race, the
Osmanlis are falling rapidly into the rear.
These Christian races are becoming every year
more and more restless and dissatisfied. The sym
pathy and the political plans of Russia arouse them
and gOad them on. They are all watching for the
favorable opportunity 10 throw off the yoke Is IL
possible then that Turkey should long maintain her
position in Europei The first breath Of war blows It
away unless powerful allies maintain her. Her posi-
ton in Asia Minor is strong. If her immense army
her polygamy, and her oppressive and corrupt adj
minstraton, both financial and Judicial, did not
declmate the MOsem population, ~ might form q
compact and powerful empire IN ASIA Minor. But
the seal Of fate is the race. It's day is past Its
sun is setting
Bnt what is TO be the fate Of European Turkey
when Moslem rule departsi The Greeks dream of
having il. But there is unity OF race. The Scaylc
race hates the Greek with an unconquerable
hatred, and the Albanian hates both. common re-
ligiOn has done nothing toward unlfying them They
may unite TO throw off the Moslem yoke, but the
Slavic race Outnumbering the Greek two 10 one. will
never submit TO Hellenic rule. lie knows nothing Of
the East who believes it possible The most that
be hoped for is independent prncipatles under the
overshadowing protection of Russia They may be
governed by princes, who will have royal cOnsorts
bestowed upon them by the royal family Of Russia;
the provinces will become Russian and Russia will
finally rule Asia and Europe Have the other nations
Of Europe unity of policy and force sufficient TO pre-
vent itG That is the questionable great question
which time alone can answer. We must await the
unfolding of Gods plan.