The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-03-22
THE EASTERN COMPLICATIONS.
Turkish Outrages in Bosnia-Midhat
Pasha Dismissed by the Sultan for
Cause,

Turkish OutrageS in BOSnla-MI0hat
Pasha Dismissed by the Sultan for
Cause.
BELGRADE, March ID learn that
the Mohammedan population are becom-
ing very much excited by the addresses Of
Imans, Hadjas, and wandering Dervishes,
who have reused the fanatical passions of
their followers to such pitch of excite
ment that foreigners residing in Bosnian
towns state there is imminent danger of
massacre of the rayahs. In the district of
Tumela the Turkish authorities have made
requisition for eight hundred horses and
pack saddles, with one driver for each
horse. Similar requisition has been made
in Serajevo, the animals being used for
trans porting military stores and ammuni- /
tion through the stations in the northern |
part Of the province. Tne Christians in
Bosnia assert that they have already paid /
taxes for the present year, now being col
lected a second time. Taxes are assessed
at eighty four piastres per head. Beside
this the rayahs are taxed thirty-one peas
tASs OH SdCu lldIG iOT GAeIllp lptAOu lFOn Illl-
itary duty. The Governments tenth oft
produce of the country is exacted in mon
ey, and the beys, or landlords, who receive
| one-third of the products Of the lands cul-
tivated by the peasants, exact this third in
money, as they know that their will be re-
QUESTIONED by the military authorities are
strongly fortifying Seraievo. Sail Pasha
has left Belma with staffof engineers for
the purpose of fortifying Bartshka, Sham
atz, and Orashia. The Turks are also for
tifying the Southern bank OF the river
Save, and compelling the rayahs, withou,
distinction OF age or sex, to work upon
these Notifications and furnish themselves
with provisions. Banjaluka is being trans
formed into fortified encampment by the
forced labor of men and women of all ages
The insurgents are gathering in the Kozara
mountains and are receiving reinforce
ments. The Governor of Bosnia has made
requisition of all grain and Indian corn in
the district of Serajevo and Travnik. 1t is
reported that Mohammedan official in
Banjaluka cut off the head of man of
that place on the 4sh of March Oh account
of his having been accused of agitating in
favor of the insurgents. Murders and out.
RACES are said to be on the increase in
Northern Bosnia, and many Christian in
habitants of the districts of Banjaluka,
Bisatsch, and Berbin are fleeing across the
frontier to Austria to save their lives,
leaving their property to be plundered by
the Bashi- -Bazouks.
Admiral Hobart Pasha, of the Turkish
navy, writes to the Times from CONSTANT
nople, under date of March 2, contradict.
ing the reports current about Turkey. He
says:
1t exactly suits Turkeys great enemy
that these reports should be promulgated
as proof of the impossibility of Turish re.
form. The Turks say these reports are toe
ridiculous to require refutation. In ordi
nary times this might be true, but we live
in extraordinary times, and l cannot stand
by and allow such injustice to pass unno.
ticed. The Sultan is in perfect health, and
works day and night for the welfare of hi:
) country. Shevket Pasha has not been ap
pointed to any command on the Danube O,
elsewhere. Midhat Pasha was not remov
ed through palace intrigues. The SultaI
= himself, for reasons l do not intend tt
: criticise, dismissed him. Mahmoud Ned
din Pasha is n OF recalled from exile, nor il
there any probability of his being So NJ
money was sent TO the Palace from Russif
: on Midhat Pasha's dismissal This coun
try, although passing through fearfu
crisis, and while the passions and aspira
tions of five or six different religious com
munities and nationalities are reused, i
perfectly quiet. Life and property are a
safe as in Europe. There is no panic any
where. Christians follow their vocation
e in safety. If the ruinous drag of impend
ing War were removed, / believe Turke,
would soon be able to lift up her heae
again. The Turks honestly admit the trutl
b of the accusation of bad administration
d and are most desirous to make radica
J. changes; but bad system from beginning
to end in a vast empire full of conflicting
n elements cannot be changed in a day. The
h ask for time help from without in the wa
r of administration, and little kindly, gen
a erous feeling from Europe.