The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-10-31
BRIGANDAGE In TURKEY.
Unsnie Condition Of the Country nbout Sn.
lonica and Aidin.

The latest exploit of brigandage near
Salonica, according to the Constantine.
pie correspondent OF the London DAM
76tcgrdph, has caused CONSERVATION ut
the Palace and Porte. So long as the
brigands confined themselves TO plum
dering and carrying off foreigners or
small farmers the authorities hardly
chose to interfere, and seemed to have
regarded them only as levying back
sheesh in n slightly irregular manner.
When, however, they catch Mehmet
Pacha, n general of brigade, his broth.
er-in-law, and wealthy local merchant
of Salonica, the case is regarded rs more
serious. There has been always n strong
impression that there was some kind Of
understanding between pursuers and
pursued. Some Of tho watches which
were sent to the capturers of Colonel
King were worn by Turkish employees
not long after they had been delivered
to the brigands. After TIE capture of
Colonel Synge Salih Pacha was sent to
Salonica. A thorough soldier and an
honest man, he buckled to the job with
resolution and skill, and in n series of
ably planned and vigorously executed
operations dispersed most of the bands
and filed the prisons of Salonica with
brigands. 1t will hardly be believed
that not single one was brought to the
gallows, and that many Of them were
allowed to go out on baii, n washcrwo-
mans son becoming surety for several
dozens. The few who were killed died
resisting the troops. and Of those who
surrendered the majority appear to have
escaped without even nominal punish
ment. Salih's oxertions were almost
thrown away. He was thwartcd Mt each
step by the provincial authorities and
finally called to Constantinoplc. Almost
before his back was turned Niko and the
other chiefs collected fresh followers and
resumed their interrupted occupation.
GUESTS OF THE FARMERS.
The vilayet of Adm is nearly as badly
of ms Salonica. At Smyrna, its capital,
a few years ago--pcrhaps the system
still flomishcs-a regular agreement cx-
istcd between certain notabIcs of the
province and some OF the brigands. The
thieves laborcd on the large farms of the
influential Turks during the winter
months without wages, in return for n
distinct understanding that il they got in-
to trouble while robbing in the summer
their masters should employ their inhu.
ence to obtain their release. To this
day the traveller in Adm may have
| pointed out to him, staggering in en-
broidcrcd garments and with belt full
of knives and pistols, miscicants who,
though guilty of scores of murders, have
cheated the hangnan and actually been
made guardians of estates and mines.
When Midhat Pacha was appointed Gov
crnor in 1880 he found Adm overrun
with brigands. He instantly made
preparations for attacking them, and
within six months the delighted citizens
of Smyrna were witnessing the death
struggle on the gibbet of n dozen or so
of their worst enemies, Moslcms and
| Christians alike. At the time Of his
arrest in the spring of 1881 His High
ness could boast that he had already
given to the vilayet the same security
with which he had endowed the Syrians
| His successor was Ali Pacha, superseded
| n couple of months back. Under his
rule brigandage assumed its old proper
tions, and the Smyrniots now dare not
put foot outside the town. At Cnstam-
Lol, on the Black Sea, further evidence
of the difference between good and bad
administration may be had. Said Pacha,
formerly Woolwich cadet, compelled
the villagers, by fines and other punish
ments, to attack the brigands, who were
ravaging the country with impunity. He
completely cleared the vilayct of these
rullians. Rustcm Pacha, protected by
the charter of Mount Lebanon from
Stamboul's interference, handed over to
Wassa Pacha II province where peasant
and tourist are as safe as in England.