New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-11-17
RUSSIA AND TURKEY.

A RUSSIAN CLERGYMAN'S VIEWS OF THE ATTITUDE
OF THE TWO CoUSTRIEs-RUssINs DEMANDS In
TIE INTEREST OF HUMANITY.
In a conversation yesterday with the Rev.
Nicholas Bjcrrng. the head Of the RussoGreek Church
in this country, that gentleman expressed his opinion
that there would be no war between Russia and Turkey
unless Russia was driven 70 IT, The Russian people,
well as the Russian Government he said, sympathized
heartily with the d1wntrodden people Of seryia and
herzegovina only because they members Of the
same O. ce) Church. but also for the sake of humanity
and civilization. People In this country, he ald had no
idea how terrible the suGengs the poor seryians
at the hands ofthe Turks He Cfr Berrngl person.
ally acquainted with Eugene Schuyler, and he knew that
every word written By him in regard Turkish atroc
was Besides he himself was in possession OF
documents confirming Mr.. schuyer's statements. Ho
had received a copy of letter from Gabriel Wcssesky
BogdlrOyitch 10 the Archbishop Of Belgrade Metropo
tan servia informing him OF the formation Of an inter-
national committee help the wounded Seryans, their
wives and children. This letter accompanied by
copies Of official reports to The Archbishop in which occur
the following passages:
Prisoners taken in battle are tortured by the Turks.
chopped I'm pieces which thrown into the camp OF
their fIirnds. Every nyah even If he docs not bear
arms aud thOut distinction, but merely because he IS
q CHRISTIAN Is entirely In the power Of every Mussul-
who. from cowardce. personal hatred, or fanati-
honor Al those who can bear arms prefer
to the life they have led until now ana the rest
OF the population are taking flight
But" continued Mr.. BjcrTng, after reading the
above "hclr how these Turks treat the poor fug
lives who cndcayor TO escape to the Austrian frontier.
Here Is auotncr report official at Belgrade,
By the delegate sent by the Relief Committee TO Dalmaa
and Croatia"
landed at Tarsanovatz At $50 a. M, and II was not
until $50 m. that was able 10 get country cart and
for Doubiz1. During the whole time Witnessed tie
nght OF cmigrauts from beyond the Unua, IN boats or
else foot OFTEN, the opposite bank,
Turks appeared, Who pursued the usitiyes and fred at
Them Balls reached them sometimes in the middle OK
the river and even fell upon our road with an opera;
elias, swa boat tul OF and children that seemed
Acrlm. where also neard this incident: The same day
large boat !l o. people reached the Austrian bank OF
the RIVER after being ed al, al red win bi0o On the
steamer was told that nine Gorpsss had been seen
own bodies floating On the water headiess and IN
wumtn's garments
"Now" continued Mr. Bierrlng, "tbe Russians in SYM
pathzug with these people, act only upon their humane
impulses and they will support their Government In any
reasonable measure toward securing the autonomy Of
these puncp4cS anl to these people their rights In
securing these rights the Seryans the Russian Gov
eminent does not start with the idea Of disturbing the
territorial status Of Turkey. What be the result OF
long war; Of course nobody predict. or one thing
the American people may be assured there perfect
cord between the people the Church. aud the Govern
mont OF Russia. The Russian people well know that
There is no longer any despotsm under government
like tnat of the present Emperor who has liberated 49,
600 600 scrfs Tie church. too has not stood still while
the general awakening Of the Russian people 10 new
schools the missions the activity OF her clergy the pn-
cipe OF election the administration Of ecclesiastical
Offices the new connections with the foreign churches,
which formerly never cxstedal these are signs Of the
times showing the efforts made by the Church to act in
harmony with the progress of the people and the will Of
the Government under its present Emperor"
the Emperor Of Russia the head Of the Greek
Church" asked the reporter, and his wnot supreme
IN church matters the in ordinary government
Mt ouite said Mr. Bjerring "The highest ecclesi-
1stca power Russia Is ccntered IN the Holy synod,
which governs all Church adirs and gives annually
account 10 the Emperor by secular pTocurator, APP
uo,ne purpose. The Orthodox Church OF Russia
contains 81 100000 souls and all will stand by the En-
eror should hc a. eide upon war; and repeat there Will
be no If the Emperor obtain for the Seryians
those guarantees which will them rights exist
rs human beings" In reply To question how IL came
that notwithstanding the frequent changes IN the Gov.
eminent Of Turkey, the Turkish army always showed
such steady front to the enemy, Mr. Berg stated tlat
he had heard II said, whether correctly OF mol ne dd
know that numerous Hungarian ana Austrian ofh-
GERS, alter having embraced the Mohahheuah reiglOn,
had received commissions In the Turkish army IL was
also said that English officers were serving In the
same ranks or the Scrvans having Deen SO long
oppressed turkey, not sucl good soldiers as tho
Nnnteurgrns but nevertheless, like all other people,
they cruyed independence. Even the few Seryians who
had resided i'm ewlOrk City, where they had been
oyrd IA clerks during the past few years had left this
conry for their homes 10 secure the Independence OF
land aud he for had wished them God
sneed Among the Russians Of his acquain this
city there a general belief that Enganl would not
take hand Ia the fight The British Lion would
good deal before entering upon war.