New-York tribune., 1870-05-25
IMPORTANT REFORM IN TURKEY.

The Bulgarian question has been for many
years one of the most perplexing of the Turk
ish troubles. OF the two principal nationalities
which make up the European part of the poly
glOt Ottoman Empire, the Roumanians, united
under a hereditary prince have nearly achieved
their complete independence; the Bugarians,
who are next in numbers and importance, as
vet are less successful, but their strenuous ef-
forts to secure q recognition OF their national
rights in the administration of their political
and ecclesiastical affairs have won the respect of
the civilized world. Thus far they have suffered
from a double tyranny. In politics, though
more numerous than the Seryians, who have
reduced their dependency upon Turkey to the
duty of paying an annual tribute, and are in
full possession of a constitutional form of
government, they have been entirely at the
mercy of the Turkish officials; in church mat
ters, the crafty Greeks have forced upon them
bishops and priests ignorant of the native
Bulgarian language. By repeated instructions
they have endeavOred either to establish an
Independent Bulgarian kingdom or, at least,
to obtain an Independent administration like
Servia, Roumania, and Montenegro. They have
demanded the reestabishment of an independ-
ent Patriarchate, which, though agreeing with
COnstantinOple in point of doctrine, should be
independently administered by Bulgarian
bishops and priests. The political efforts have
failed, though the beginning of some admin
istrative reforms has been made On the other
hand their demand of church independence
has now, in the main, been granted by the
Turkish Government, and Bulgarian Exarch
has been appointed, having under his juris-
| n r II
crease of which, whenever it may appear neces-
sary, special provisions have been made. To
spare as much as possible the feelings of the
Patriarch of COnstantinOple, the Turkish Gov
ernment has not only withheld from the new
ecclesiastical head of the Bulgarian nation the
title of Patriarch, but has decreed that the new
EXarch shall remain subordinate to the
Patriarch of COnstantinOple.
The Bulgarians, though not yet at the end
of their wishes, are jubilant at the reform; the
Patriarch and the Greeks of Constantine
pie vehemently protest against it. The Patri-
arch denies the right of the Turkish Govern
ment to make such a sweeping change in the
constitution of a Christian Church, though it
was the same Turkish Government which in
the last century, at the instigation of promi-
nent Greeks, subjected the Bulgarians to the
Patriarch of COnstantinople The Patriarch
demands the cOnvOcatiOn of an Ecumenical
Council, the only competent authority, in his
opinion, to make the change. However this
controversy between the Patriarch and the
Turkish Government may end, reforms like
that now granted to the Bulgarians are not
likely to be taken back They are accom-
plished facts.
The important consequences which this re-
form must have upon the future history of
Eastern Europe are apparent at the first look
1t involves the restoration of the Bulgarian
nationality, and must lead at an early day to
the establishment of semi-independent Bull
garian state, which virtually will be master
OF its own destinies as fully as Roumania and
Servia. Together, these three States consti-
tute more than one-half of all European Tur-
key, which then will be drawn into much
closer connection with the remainder of
the civilized world. The Church's indie
pendence of C0nstantinoDlo will. more