The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-16
The Greek Patriarch Sanctions the
Slaughter of His CO-ReligiOniStS.
CORRUPTIOMrO OR WEAKNESS I?
Everything Ready for Movement
on the Danube. aze
MONTENEGRO YET UNCONQUERED.
lDY CABLE TO THE HERALD. I

There is o great dearth Of war news Of
Importance this morning. No definite
information regarding the preparations
tor the crossing of the Danube
has reached US, nor have any
further details of the sanguinary struggle
before Kars come to hand. The action of
the Greek Patriarch is likely to be source
of trouble among the Christian population
of the Turkish Empire.
GREEK PRAYERS FOR TURKISH SUCCESS.
The HERALD correspondent in CONSTANT
nople sends very significant piece of in
telligence. The Greek Patriarch of Con-
stantinople-the highest ecclesiastical dig
nitary of the Greek Church in the Ottoman
Empire-has ordered prayers to be offered
up in all churches of his patriarchate for
the success Of the Turkish arms. The
Patriarch of Constantinople, while claim
ing to be the head of the whole Eastern
Church in opposition to the Russian Arch
mandrite, is always under the moral in
auence of st. Petersburg through force of
Russia for protection against Moslem per.
secution.
THE PATRIARcH's DIFFIcULr POSITION
He is a Turkish subject, however, and
therefore the Porte exercises q sort of right to
veto his election, and in many other respects
he is under the direct control of the Sultan.
In the present state of the East the Patriarch
is in peculiarly difficult and delicate
position. His natural sympathies must be
with those who aim to overthrow the Turk
ish power, although he may have some mis-
givings that the complete triumph Of Russia
would lower his status in the Greek Church.
DANGER FROM MosLEM FANATIcIsM.
On the other hand. the slightest expression
of sympathy with the Sultan's enemies, or
failure to comply with an order from the
Porte, might have very serious consequences
for the Patriarch. The fanatical populace of
Stamboul are now excited to fever heat,
and if some sofia would only denounce him
as Russian spy or an enemy of Islam the
utmost efforts of the Turkish government
could hardly save his life.
wac ruv p.rpr.pcr- pov,,ruo
But fear was not the only incentive which
moved the weak or venal Patriarch to take
The strange action reported. On last Tues
day, according to a special despatch from
the HERALD correspondent already cabled,
the Sultan sent for the Patriarch and had o
long private interview with him, in the
course of which the Patriarch promised to
use his good offices in favor Of the Turks
He lunched with the Sultan, which was an
unusual honor, was decorated with the
Crossof Osman, and was made the recipient
OF very valuable presents. Probably the
presents had as much to do with the
Patriarchs action as the fear of Turkish
vengeance.
INTENSE IRRITATION OF THE CREEKS.
The irritation among the Greek popula-
ton Mt the action of the Patriarch is intense
and widespread. He has utterly destroyed
his influence over the members of his
Church and is looked upon as a traitor to
his race and creed. If the war was On ordi-
nary one the feeling would be strong
enough; but considering that tho Sultan
has proclaimed a holy war against Chris
tianity, tho command of the Patriarch to
the Christians of the Greek Church to offer
up prayers for the success of tho Moslem
arms is looked upon not alone as downright
sacrilege and apostaey, bat a. an evidence
of venality and corruption of the basest kind.
The affair is likely to produce very serious
results and is calculated to revolutionizs
the whole Greek Church.
An BARLY CROSSING or THE pAsrm.
Several special dispatches in the London papers
OF this morning seem to show that there viii
shortly be some movement on the Danube.
SHIFTING THE RUSSIAN HEADQUARTERS
Vienna despatch dated last night says:--.It rs
announced the headquarters offices OF the Russian
army wni after tomorrow, be transferred to Alex.
sndra, near 0iurgevo."
EVERYTHING READY.
Piocjcsti despatch states II IL supposed
operations viii soon commence as every.
thing is prepared, but the Danube falls
very slowly. There have been many departures
from this place, but the destination OF those who
leave IL kept profoundly secret.
THE TURKS ExPEcrAST.