The Osceola times., 1885-11-21
An Explanation Of the
Eastern Puzzle.
From the New York Her I'D.

The Herald has kept its readers
thoroughly informed on the compli-
cations of the Bulgaro- RoumeIian
questions. In addition to the ordi-
nary dispatches which it has shared
with all its contemporaries il has
enjoyed the facilities afforded by
the Mackay Bennett cable.
We have received large number
OF letters asking us to explain what
the trouble is all about anu what is
likely to be the outcome of it. 1t
seems strange to many that second
rate quarrel in half a dozen insignifa
icant provinces should set all Europe
ablaze with excitement, Apparent
ly the effects is much greater than
the cause.
Let us look at the problem. In
the southeastern corner of Europe
is large sized hornets nest. Rou-
mania, Bulgaria, Eastern Roumela,
Servia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece
with the Sultan at Constantinople-
these are the hornets which have
stung the great Powers into mad
ness many time, aud are SO likely
at any moment to do it again that
the Powers are in a chronic state of
petulence.
The Russian Empress Catherine,
II. In 1774 wrung from the conquer
ed Turks concession which lies at
the root of the whole difficulty. The
Porte-that is the government of
Turkey-was compelled to allow the
members of the Creek Church per-
feet religious freedom, and the EN-
peror Nicholas, grandfather of the
present Gar, claimed that this meant
the right of Russia to protect all
members of the Greek Church, which
ID the national church of Russia, in
any place over which Turkey held
the suzerainty.
AS very large proportion of the
provinces above named belong to
the Greek Church, Russia exercis-
es surveillance over the whole of
the European part of the Turkish
Empire. Russian spies ana emissa-
ries or ministers or agents are to be
found everywhere, and they are
working for Russian interests, both
openly. and secretly. The Emperor
wants Constantinopie. CONSTANT
nople is the birthplace of the Greek
Church. 1t is to the East what
Rome is to the West. Besides the
immense commercial and military
value of the city, the people of Rus
sia reverence the spot and have a
profound hatred for the Moslem
power which holds it. 1t is the
dream of Russia to command the
Bosphorus, and her religious zeal or
fanaticism may some day make the
dream a reality.
1t is for the interest of Russia to
foment quarrels among these prov
inces, to badger, compromise, per-
plex the Sultan, because at the right
moment she may step in as peace
maker and so gain lager control.
When Bulgaria absorbed Eastern
Roumelia it was like applying a
match to haystack. Why should
Bulgaria have Eastern Roumelia and
Servia have nothing! There was
land on the south Of Servia which
had been wrenchcd from her by the
Turk, and now was the time to get
it back. Bulgaria herself was in
possession of few hundred square
miles of land stolen from Servia, and
now was the time to compel her to
give them up. The Servian troops
crossed the frontier, and, rather than
fight, the Bulgarians made com
promise and concession. Then Greece
too, flew to arms and declared that
Turkey had robbed her Of part of
| the old Greek family estate, and that
it must be returned or there would
be trouble. She ground her sword
and started for the frontier.
The Albanians are quiet just now,
but il Turkey takes the field they
will not remain quiet. They, too,
have wrongs to be rcdressed. And
as for the Montonegrins, AMID their
rocky Businesses, they have been de-
spoiled, oppressed aud maitrcated
by the Turks for centuries, and at
the right moment they will know
where aud how to hit.