New-York tribune., 1881-03-25
THE OTTOMAN TROUBLES.

THE OTTOMAN TROUBLES.
A BANKRUPT NArI0N STRUGGLING TO PREPARE FOB
wAR-oPPEEssIvR TAXATION AND ITS MFAdkH
RFsuIrs-INrRRNAL DIssEHsIoNs, FAMINE AND
PEsrILENCE.
Although period Of calm seems to have aliayed
immediate fears of war IN the East, the Turkisn
Government is making every preparation 10 hgns
with Greece in the spring. The proposal for now
conference of the Powers at Constantinople was
followed by proposal for negotiations in favor OF
a compromise, to be conducted separately by the
Ambassadors of the SIX Powers at Constantinople.
These negotiations have been going on without re-
snlt for some time Like the Yankee farmer who
did not wish to name price for his horse, on the
ground that he might spoil the sale by giving his
word TO take nothing less the Porte has been en-
treruely unwilling to mako positive declaration
"a 70 the greatest concession which 1t iswiliins 70
make 20 Greece Ii fears to bind ts honor 10 fnaiu-
tam a concession of territory which Europe may
consider insufficient.
Meanwhile Turkey Is suffering sll the financial
straits of war itself. The Government Is con-
stantly adding to the army, buying quantities OK
war material and increasing its capacity for mill
tary manufacture at Constantinopie. ALI this
energy requires money; and money Is the greas
lack OF Turkey. The Treasury and the revenue
offices have all been placed under military control
IN OfQer TO luSuIo tno unc Aoa oA'nJ PH&b~~FN -
every cent which the Treasury can raise. Taxes
have been collected with unheard of rgor; salaries
of civil functionaries have been entirely suspended
nensions and annuIties have been suppressed; but
still the Unsuitable War Department cries for more
funds The Pachas look enviously at the seeming
ease of the Greek Government which, although
raising force of nearly $4,000 men, has found
itself able to send q donation OF $4,000 70 the
sufferers by the floods in Cyprus. N
In these times $4,000 is not too small sum 70
seem noteworthy to the harassed statesmen Oh
Turkey. The Porte Is forced to descend TO all
manner of enterprises in order to raise ready cash
for its purchases Of The Treasury has long
been in the habit Of contracting small loans In
Galata giving in return orders on the provincial
assessors for an amount 40 or 50per cent greater
than the amount of the loan. Not long ago. Ior the
first time in history these drafts on the provinces
were not paid on presentation. The Galata bankers
applied to the Porte and received written orders
fIom the Grand Vizir directing the payment OF the
drafts which they held But upon second appli-
cation to the assessors the bankers found that the
General who is now Turkish Minister OF Finance
had directed the assessors not to observe the order
of the Grand Vizir, and had sent army officers to
enforce his decree. The bankers are unable TO Io-
cover their Dues ana are DOW sadder and wiser men
Rut with characteristic lack of forethought the
General Of the Treasury soon applied to these very
bankers for o new lean of few hundred thousand
dollars to be secured by new orders upon the pro-
vinclal assessors. He soon found ont his mistake,
on being notified by syndicate OF bankers that no
could have no more money until the dishonored
drafts were paid with interest. This military
fnaneer was surprised at such impndence, storned
little consulted his advisers as to the Possibility
of forcing the bankers to give him money, and
IN mai the 0verdu0 drafts. Three
months have now elapsed, and the Treasury has
not vet found the means of meeting the obligations
which bar its efforts at new loans. Meanwhile IL tn
forced to do without money. OF be contented with
what can be squeezed from day to day out OF the
people.
In view of this lamentable stringency, the Sultan
has now issued new decree 10 raise funds for the
use of the army forced loan is ordered 20 be laid
uDon all the property holders OF the Empire. This
loan is equal in amount to the annual taxes which
these people pay, and is accompanied by the pro-
mise of 10 per cent interest for the money ad-
yapced Besides this. the Sultan's decree lays
special impost upon ali the inhabitants of the dis.
trict Of antiuople. the amouns to be varied
according to the ability of the tax payer Thus. all
Government employees having salary over $3.50
per month are to pay inpost equal TO 10 pei cent
of the monthly salary. Merchants are to pay SOL
middle class traders are 70 pay ~; whiic day
laborers are required TO pay u. Tho tax Is to be
collected within three months. This decree shows
the dire distress of the Tarkish Goyernmenf
Among che people Ii has produced great coIsterna-
tion. Constantiuops has hitherto been free from
ali manner of itnposts and the Innovation IA In ~
self blow ut ancient privileges. But aside from .
this, the Government has Indirectly taken large
sums from the people durng .wo years past by its
juggling with the currency, and 1t applies tins new
tax to people already in poverty. The conntry IS
already suffering all the misery Of sn actual state
Of war; To the possibilities Of the future the people
look forward with dark forebodings. q, y
AS might be expected. robhsrlss sse f.s eu eyery