The New York herald., 1869-06-04
TURKEY.
The Frontier DiHlculfies-Ehe Investigations
of the Mixed COmuiissiOn-Russinn Intrigue
at Work Among the KrOomiees-Street

The Frontier DiHlculties-Ehe Investigations
of the Mixed Commissioned Intrigue
at Work Among the KrOOmlees-Street
CONsTANTINOPLE May 15, 1859.
The main items Of news which reach us this week
are from the northeast From Mouch, in Anat0lia-
we hear that the mixed commission sent there to
investigate the differences between the Persian and
Turkish frontier authorities and also to inquire into
several acts OF sacrllege committed by the rowing
Kurds on some Armenian coHvents and churches in
the town and neghborhood Of Mouch had sue
ceeded In finding the stolen property; but 30 far we
are not told in whose possession the things were
nor what measures nave been taken to trace the
actual perpetrators Of the outrages committed.
Nearer the coast in the vicinity Of Trebizond there
are the districts Of Surmene and Kroom Inhabited
by about 5000 men-Kro0mlees they are called.
About three centuries ago, at the time Of the con-
quest the forefathers OF these KroOmlees were, by
the invading race OF Mussumans, forced to embrace
the faith OF Islamism. In most cases, however,
where large bodies or men have been obliged to
change their religion either through interest or fear
the outward ceremonies are the only forms changed,
but not the real iath So IN this case alsO Demetri0s
or Constantine was altered to Mustapha or Ahmed
the mosque was 1requented In lieu Of the church,
and the people assembled to their devOtions at the
ring OF BELLS but at heart they retained and when
the hot zeal OF the cOnqueror cooled down. gradually
resumed their old ways, customs and superstitlOns
and though Mussumans In appearance and form, in
wardy they held FAST from force OF habit, II not from
conviction, to their original faith. Up to very
cent period these kroomlees as Mussulman subjects
OF the Porte, furnished " the Turkish army their
yearly contingent OF conscrpts, instead OF paying,
as all Christians do, the tax called Bedeee when
exempts them from service. The ground to WORK
upon and the materials to meddle with were too
good not to fix the attention OF Russian intrigue,
and we now hear that these Kroomlees many OF
whom possess Russian passports, have thrown or
the mask and declared themselves Christians OF the
Greek Church. To this decision they, OF course, as
Christians add that OF refusing TO furnish conscrpt5
to the army but they go further and also refuse to
pay the Bedelee tax.
The action and interference OF foreign consus, for
good or evil, as 1t may best suit the interest OF their
respective governments, Is as usual not wanting In
this instance, and through them their chiefs here
appear disposed to interfere In the matter, more
particularly the Russians, who plead for The con-
vers TO their faith. The Forte, OF course, sticks to
It's rights and Is decided acting thereon. 1t does
not refuse to recognize the right OF the kroomlees
To become Christians II they wish 1t, and Is even
willing to allow them TO emigrate TO Russia If they
feel 80 ncned but from those who remain it insists
on having either cOnscrps Bedeee, the latter in
preference, perhaps, to the former as men are pen
tiiul and money scarce. so lar these people refuse
to bear arms, to pay the Bedelee or TO decamp to
Russa-a piece OF obstinacy rather too eXactng and
certainly too dangerous to be permitted.
project on the tapiS Is the laying down OF tram-
project,seems meet the views and the approval OF
the Turkish Board and, as 1t will not require very
great outlay OF capital aud provides means OF CON-
IN the interior OF this town. which is
necessary, 1t has good chance of succeeding, and
may ultimately prove profitable undertaking.