The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-07

Bulgaria DR.. Washburn has already explained
what has been done in the newly enfranchised
province. A few weeks ago I was in Athens
and had the opportunity of seeing the quite re-
markable progress which Greece is making. Ev-
idence OF her progress is to be found here Also
Ten years ago Greek merchant steamer had
hardly been seen in the Bosphorus. Now, lying
off Scutari with the feet of English steamers on
their way to and from the Black sea or the Dam
ube the Greek flag is constantly seen. Such
commercial activity as exists in the Bosphorus
where 1t is not due to western Europeans, be-
longs to Greek residents in the capital.
There is, moreover remarkable change
coming over the population of Turkey, to which
cannot do justice in this letter. Throughout
the empire the Turkish population is decreasing
at a rate which it is difficult to account for,
while the Christian populations are increasing
The records of the English consuls in the Blue
Books give extraordinary evidence of this fact
An English consul told me that where in jour
neylng between the capital and his post, he had
dozen years ago passed through eighteen Turk
ish villages, there were now only twelve; that
these twelve were smaller than they had pre-
viously been; that where there had been
three or four mosques there were now
only two or three. The Christian villages. en-
the contrary, were increasing in numbers and in
population. / have endeavored to learn whether
shere is any portion of the empire where re-
verse process is at work. There has been a
really great emigration of the Moslem popula-
ton from European Turkey and Asia Minor; but
in spite OF such movement, l cannot find any
evidence that any Turkish town has increased
in population except it be three or four villages
on the Asiatc side of the Dardaneles. In fact,
the Eastern question is settling ITSELF and If a
policy of "hands off" could be maintained and
Turkey left without external interference of any
kind the inevitable result would ensue very
quickly in Europe and-remembering that am
speaking of the life of a nation-not very re-
motely in Asia Minor.
he inn loft do fn nd all
European peace, once the Bulgarian difficulty is
disposed of, is Macedonia The disorganization
which reigns there is complete. Opportunity
should be taken of the present crisis to insist
upon the establishment of an autonomous
government upon the lines laid down by the
commission of which Lord Edmund Fitzmaurice
was a member. The difficulties of good govern
ment in Macedonia are increased by the jealousy
of Greeks and Bulgarians. TIE ultimate settle
ment of the respective rights of these races will
take long time. and each is anxious that the
other shall not PREJUDICE the question by occupy
ing territory. At present the game of the Turk
is to ally himself with the Greek population
against the Bulgarian, and the result is to per-
petuate and intensity ill-feeling between the
races. A government more or less detached
from the Porte would do much to quiet this jeal-
ousy, would at least preserve order and make life
and property secure, which they are not at pres
emit. If this result were attained should have
n fear about a friendly solution being arrived
at between the rival races. The Greeks, who are
in minority. are the most advanced race
in the peninsula. and are quite capable
of taking care of themselves. 1t is
too soon to talk about the division of
Macedonia, and yet the great anxiety of Greece
appears to be concentrated upon such division.
If something be not done to put an end to the
anarchy which at present exists, Austria will al
ways have an excellent pretext to occupy Mace
donia in the interest of order. If Austria wishes
to be at Salonica she would probably be unwill-
ing to see an autonomous government estab-
lished in the province.
If the present difficulty can be peacefully ar
ranged it will be infinitely to the advantage of all
parties concerned. The Turks will be saved a
terrible cost in men and money. Turkey cannot
possibly gain by the war. She has never during
the last 200 years recovered an acre of territory
she has once lost On the other hand, the Bull
gar;ans Servians and Greeks can we'll afford to
wait for their inheritance.