New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-10
TURKISH AFFAIRS.
THE PROGRESS OF CRIME, OPPRESSION

ness of the change wrought In the Turkish nature
under the influence of civilization has become the
horror of the hour DR.. Kiatibian, highly edu-
Gated and talented physician and man known
and loved throughout the wide circle OF European
residents, was found dead in the Sea OF Marmora
last week. An autopsy proved that he had been
murdered by smothering The fact of the murder
in itself horrible enough but the manner of 1t
recalls the worst days Of palace intrigues and the
secret Dowstrinz The Police have not succeeded
in finding clev to the criminal, Dut the circum-
stances appear to be about az follows: The doctor
was summoned to attend a case in a country
house just outside of Kadikeny lChslcedon on the
Asiatic side of the Bosphorus. He was seen to
enter the grounds of the house but not to leave
them Either IN tho grounds or In the house he
was set upon by men, in number sufficient TO throw
him down and to control his struggles during the
time necessary to smother him by holding some
soft body upon his face. 1t Is hard to imagine
human beings capable OF coolly arranging to hold
man in order to put him to a slow death, but the
internal evidence of the bronchial tubes and the
external marks the lips where they ere forced
upon the teeth prove that the ancient impervious-
to ordinary human sentiments still exists
among the Turks. The men who did this deed were
men who could plan the slow torture, and could
rely upon the hardness of Their own hearts. They
knew beforehand that they could resist the i'm
pulses of pity during the long commissions Of their
victim and they preferred to do this rather than
to risk discovery by taking the quicker method OF
the bullet or the knife. But the worst feature OF
the is that the murderers were directed by
someone 50 high in position to control the po-
lice. Witnesses have been found who testify that
they the murdered man undress on the sea
beach and plunge into the water on that chill
November day. witness who ncautiOusly remark
Al 81. e
house where he is supposed TO have been killed. has
mysterIously disappeared. All the servants well
as the family at the house declare that Or. Kiati
ban did not 20 TO the house that day and are con-
seQuently left urdisturbed by the police Moreover,
the police authorities in opposition TO the testI
mvny Of all the physicians have advertised in print
their decision that DIR. Kiatiblan was drowned. In
fact this tragedy is of those whose actors live
in palaces and will not let the truth be told. 1t Is
almost dangerous to speak the name of the dead
doctor IN public place. Only surmlses exist as to
the cause Of tho 1lu,der. One theory connects
woman with the affair; another attributes the
crime to professional jealousy the part Of a
Turkish physician of high rank Who felt his future
threatened by the of DR.. Kiatiblan in treat
ing members OF the Imperial family. Whatever
the cause the crime one that reminds Us how
firmly the Turks still cling TO the HABITS of the dark
ages.
This crime in ConstantinOple attracts attention on
account of the personal qualities of the victim.
Others equally outrageous occur every side. In
the Taurus Mountains. not far from the city Of
Adana in Ciltia is n village called OsmanIe.
When it was founded seven eight years ago. it
was expected 70 protection 10 commercial
traffic through the mountains. Men were encour-
aged to move in and settle there The population
Is mainly composed of MOsems, but contains also
Christians who are the tradesmen and provision
merchants of the place. With the wave of Moslem
fanaticlsm which has lately swept over this conn
try, the lofty spirit of Mshometan aspiration has
been stirred IN this village also. The Moslem inhab
itants have systematically plIlaged the houses and
shops of the Christians by way of giving expression
to theirhigh religious feelings The Christians natu-
rally appealed TO the Governor for protection and
redress. The Governor. however. ordered them
ont of his august presence telling them that had be
known that Christian dogs existed In that place
he would never have accepted Office there. A few
years ago this would have ended the matter. Now.
however Christians all over Turkey have begun TO
learn from American missionaries that they are
men and have rights. Hence these men strangely
persisted in demanding Justice, naming the robbers,
and pressing their claim in such a way that the
Governor was forced 70 arrest the guilty parties.
The men arrested confessed the crime and were
sent to prison for few DAYS. They nOt. how
ever caused to return the stolen goods and be
ing quickly released without trial. they made haste
TO tell their Christian neshbors to look out for
venpe. A few days after ward a leading Christian
was found dead in his bed, with cord around his
meek and a sword in his heart The other Christians
of the place. terrified beyond measure applied once
more to the Governor for protection. This time |
they got it, Every who testified that he could
identify the sword. OF who had expressed belief |
that the murder act of revenge for the !
former complaint. was arrested and put IN prison.
These men now lie in jail charged with the murder
Of their comrade. Not an inquiry has been made OF
the watchmen Of the quarter. not question has |
been asked of the Moslem owner OF that tel-tale |
sword; the Government has limited its administTa-
ton OF Justice to the summary suppression Of wit |
nesses who might prove annoying if left to carry
the case 10 higher quarters What can those |
wretches dOi To them every foreigner is repre- |
sentative of judicial force of unknown might. |
and they present their to every foreigner |
whom they can reach. They implole protection. |
Justice they hare no hope Of receiving. The mere |
escape with life from the consequences of their |
rash attempt 20 stolen property is oil they
ask, and they ask it patheticay, desDairingly. |
Multiply such case by the number of small out-of-
the way villages in Turkey and you have a sum of
hopeless grievance which is appalling Thousands
on LuOusduuc VI uiSOAdplOi 4BiOAoH' PN'PAO Ai'N
under the yoke and suffer an anguish of fear be-
cause they are Christians They are outnumbered
ten to one by Moslems and so they. are hel pless.
But as their cry goes up to heaven the sound of
II rends our hearts, because human power can do
nothing to remedy their trouble.
Foreigners commonly can do nothing to help the
ont of the way victims of Moslem fanaticsm. Bat
General Wallace has lately had 10 in his power to
aid one group of unhappy creatures who were
arrested at Janins time ago for real or mag-
mary violation Of the dignity of the Empire. Six
Greeks arrested by Turkish troops had lain i'll