The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-03
BRIGANDAGE IN GREECE.

WASHINGTON, June 2, 1872.
The American Minister at Athens has communi-
Gated to the Department OF State, under date OF
z May T. 1872, the following on this subject
Exaggerated and false reports are constantly
published by the EUROPEAN press concerning brgan-
s dage In Greece. These erroneous statements are
: not infreqnently republished in American news
papers. They represent that the kingdom out
side or Athens is under brigand rule and
that no traveller can with safety venture beyond
the limits of this capital To show the impression
made by these publications i may state the fact
that have received several letters rom American
tourists inguring whether they could visit Athens
i Now, the truth is, only portion OF the mainland
OF Greece, bordering upon the territory OF Turkey
= OF the kingdoms, including the Peloponnesus
= and the islands, are now and always have
= Greek soil, they cross the border only
to return when they can do with the least dan.
ger to themselves and with some hope OF reward
Tor their daring. The bOrderis extended 1t passes
over mountains and through mountain defiles, and
is impossible to guard 1t at all points by military
force. And 1t is that brIgands get into this de-
partment of Greece in which the capital is located.
The Greek authorities have some three thousand
soldiers employed to guard the frontier and afford
protection against brigands
Some two weeks ago party OF brigands, who
had recently crossed the frontier into Greece were
4 traced to their place of cOnceament near the
border, and the following persons were captured
and killed as reported to me by the government
the province of Orta, Turkey, who took to brigand-
age In 1861 and became the most dangerous chief
In those parts. In 1865 the Greek government pro-
claimed reward Of Is 900 drachmas for the capture
and killing Of this maelactor.
2. Demetrius C00cyths, from Orias, district of
Ombraca, who took to brigandage in 1857. In 1901
reward OF 500 drachmas was offered for his cap
ture and destruction
8, Patsls Sartzis from Maricad ofthe province of
Outa, Turkey, who became brigand five or six
years ago. In 1870 the same reward was offered
for the killing Of this malelactor.
At the same time five prisoners who had broken
jail and escaped were recaptured. They had I'M
doubtedly Joined the brgands.
The government autho rlties inform me that they
are not now aware OF the existence Of q single
band of brigands In this kingdom But to provide
against possible danger from their secret ncurslon
into Greece they prefer to furnish military escort
to persons who desire to travel any considerable
distance to the nOrthward OF the capital This is
done without charge. The country is sparsely
settled, and such protection Is always desirable.
Mr. Brewer, United States Consul at the Piraeus,
accompanying two American titizens, is now
making trip to Thebes, Delphi &C., and he
teegraphed me that there is no evidence OF the ex
istence of brigands anywhere on this route and
that they are everywhere most cordially received
by the people military escort accompanies Them
From the best information l am able to obtain
Official and otherwise, arrive ut these conclu-
siOns:-
/. That at present there is no organized brigand-
age In Greece.
g. That the government is doing all that 1t posi-
bly, can to prevent its existence in the country.
8. That the danger from brigandage is confined
to the northern section bordering on Turkey.
4. That with military escort, to be had for the
asking and without Charge travellers may visit
this northern section without danger.