The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-27
LIFE IN TURKEY.
VicsreRsI ExtravaEancs-An Incidsnt in
smyrna-Improvsme Press.


Cincinnati Commercial writes:-
ltls astonishing to American eyes to see the
recklessness with which these Eastern po en-
tates scatter their Tor other peope's) cash in
mere matters of display. This Viceroy
simple Governor OF vassal province of Turkey,
keeps up an establishment of regal splendor.
guards, and splendid brass band, all
livefied in the most extrayagant combina.
tion of blue scarlet, and gold. He cannot go on
this expedition of two or three months without
having hundred women along, and of course
nearly as many eunuchs to keep them out OF
mischief. Then he has his carriages and horses
with him, and carriages and horses for his
numerous ladies. The number of servants
grooms, postlllons, and cooks is something
appalling. His steamers are always burning
coal, and he cannot go from the shore to his
yacht in anything less grand than steam
ldunde. All this, when his country is inpover-
ished by taxes and laboring in bankruptcy. The
money this man throws away he obtains by
direct tax, in the most oppressive form. Every
man, woman, and child in Egypt-the poorest
day-laborer with gross income OF forty cents
day-must pay six dollars in gold, and nave the
satisfaction of knowing that their ruler is
using the proceeds in masquerading about
Europe. Verify there be some things that need
reform in this world OF ours, besides Andrew
johnson.
- "a pleasant phase of Turkish life is
that experienced by the inhabitants of smyrna
whence come your hgs. Smyrna is city of
10000 Inhabitants, aud it has large foreign
populatioH-Eng French, and German-yet
these people dare not go hye miles out of the
brigands who rule the country. There are only
about ten of these lawless strangers, but they
successfully DEFY all attempts on the part OF the
Government of that district 10 put them down
or even 10 keep them at a reasonable distance
from the city. A young man, son of the Dutch
consul, was gobbled up by these wild noun
taineers within sight of his fathers house. He
was taken to safe distance and then made TO
write a letter requesting $1,000 in gold to be
sent out as ransom for him. The money was
paid, and he was received back amid great re.
iOlclnps. Turkish GOVprnOr
detachment of troops to meet him and guard
HIM safely to the city; but no attempt was made
TO catch the scOundrels young Turk was
next captured by the robbers; and he being of
more modest means, they sent to his father a
demand for ransom OF two hundred dollars.
The old man raised the money but was forbid.
den to send it by the Governor, on the ground
that it would be aiding and abetting the rob-
bers. Next morning the father found his sons
head at his door.
"Robbers send notes to rich merchants
inviting them to deposit thousand or two at
some specified point within twenty -four hours,
or their houses will be burned; and the timid
old chaps often honor the draft. One amusing
story Is told of a certain rich man who did not
have an angel Of wife, He received a note
demanding a thousand pounds in two days in
default OF which the robbers threatened to carry
Off his wife. 1t was astonishing to see how
sollcitous the husband became on a sudden for
his wite's health; he felt sure she needed
exercise, and urged her constantly to take early
morning walks on the hills outside of town.
However the robbers appreciated the Joke as
well as the neighbors, and Mr.. B. IS household is
energetic dispatches from the capital have
at length induced the Governor to act with
something like vigor, and he has actually
reward OF twenty pounds for any wel-authenti--
Gated robbers head But this is the bane of
Turkey, that the provinces are generally gov
erned by imbeciles, who can do nothing to
carry out the laws of the empire save under
pressure from the General Government.
Turkey is a free country to-day, and its laws
q GnhiapIS m fbprtU ia OUn in
many European realm, II these laws coald
only be carried out. The problem is, can the
Government live in its weakness until the young
men, row being well educated. grow up and get
into affairs to intuse new lie into the decaying
old body by faithful enforcement of the re-
formed rT. codes ODE OF law ! fear not: .o.s -,
prOvement is very evident; witness the grand
council of state, in which Mohammedaus aud
.Mohammedans sit together, in utter dlsre-
gard OF the good old principles OF the Koran: or
the great government scientific school, tor
which the great barracks of Gaata Serai have
been redtted, and in which corps OF scientific
men from Paris Will teach MOhammedan aud
Christian youth in the same classes. These
reforms, small as they appear to you at home,
are yet great in their way. AS the main barrier
against civilization in this land has been the
religion of Mohammed, everything that indi
Gates the gradual overthrow of that barrier,
points TO rapid growth towards an enlightened
civilization. And as the sole question i'll which
the people OF this land divided Is one of
religion, every thing tending to do away with
The Old bigotry OF the dark ages, tends also to
strengthen the Government, aud to bring the
nation upwards in the scale of power. The only
question is, can the weak, totteriug patient be
brought up from his sick bed by the toniCs
which are now being administered to it If the
powers OF Europe continue to support the poor
sick man few years more, he may be able to
stand. But if a general European war takes
place within these next few years, woe to the
sick man.
''Tbat the Reform policy of Turkey is begin.
ming to be felt IN the land, may be seen from the
failure of the Cretan rebellion. Even Greece
has at last Withdrawn her aid to the robber
bands who so fondlY hoped to have taken pos
session of the rich fields of the Turkish inhabi-
tants of the island. The families who eagerly
fed TO Greece, in hope OF being fed and cared
for during the remainder of their natural llfe
refugees from tyranny, find their condition
In Greece such that they are eagerly going back
to Crete by thousands, that they may reoccupy
their farms, and earn their bread in peace once
more, tor they find it no easier to live without
working i'll Greece than in Crete,
There are four Turkish, three Armenian,
three Greek, two French, one Italian, aud Que
English paper here, all daily, besides several
chaps do get bold of an American paper they
regale their readers for month afterwards
with juicy little bits under the head of News
from America taking the paper right through b
from bea inning to end. When in the regular
order OF dissection the column Crimes aud
Casualties comes under the scissors, it is made
TO last week, dOled out in bits every day as
evidence of the shocking bad manners of those
WesteIners.
Even here the press are not free from actions
OF indignant civilians for libel, and the like. A
short time since a smart young Armenian wrote
for friend OF his letter exposing some Of the
private peccadllloes of a wealthy official in a
l. .gz.., ..gtNv a1,.v IA.