Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-10
4 LETTER FROM TURKEY.
THEPoRTEs TRUCE WITH THE
RULGARIANS.

fry's Army and Navy.
TThe following is the first of series OF
letters from Europe, which will appear
in the MORNING NEWS. The writer OF
them is one of the most distinguished OF
American journalists.
CoNsTANTINoPLE, Jan. 12.--Now that
the Bulgarian and Servian war has clar-
lied the atmosphere of Southeastern Eu-
rope and the immediate danger OF gem
eral contest has passed away, the Turk
ish empire is permitted to draw long
sigh of relief. There can be no gainsay-
ing the fact that the status OF affairs IN
the empire has not been go cheering for
many years. Turkey knows now with
whom she has to deal. All the powers
concerned in the struggle for the Balkan
Peninsula have made fair showing Of
their intentions and ambitions. The
restless Servians have been severely
punished and, though still agitated, have
learned their place. Greece has been
taught healthful object lesson which she
ought not soon to forget. II Servia has
been so decidedly checked by young Bull
garia, and that, too, with Austria behind
her, there cannot be much doubt Of the
Issue if Greece should attempt SINGLE
handed to cope with Turkey. Bulgaria
has most Unexpectedly presented herself
as an efficient bulwark against Russian
ambitions, and it is probable that Prince
Alexander would fear Russian army of
occupation quite as much as he would
Turkish army. Now that the discussion
concerning the union of the two Bull
garias is practically over, Turkey will
undoubtedly make such terms with
Prince alexander as shall make Bulgaria
q firm friend of the Turks.
1t has been obvious for the last half
century to any one who has paid any at
tentIon to the Eastern question, that the
chief bulwark of the Turkish rule has
been the jealousies of the European pow
ers. Indeed, Turkey may thank England
that she has any territory to-day on the
map OF Europe. In the present crisis the
refusal of England to second the attempt
Of the other powers to cause Eastern
ROnmelia to return to the status quo ante,
and the consequent delay in affairs, large
ly contributed to bring on the Servian
war. These international jealousies are
as fierce to-day as ever, and will remain
in the years to come the strongest defense
OF the Turkish rule.
Next in importance to the jealousies of
the European powers as defense to the
Turkish rule come the mutual lealOusies
Of the various Christian sects scattered
throughout Turkey. Again and again 1t
has been demonstrated that there can be
no etfectual cooperation between Greek,
Armenian or Maronite sectaries. The
International JealOusies have entered the
Empire in this subtle disguise. We
have the spectacle OF many nations
within the boundaries of one
nation, whose hatreds have been ag-
gravated and embttered by a long
heredity of civil strife. In the midst of
this chaos of enmities the Turk rises
easily to the mastery. To say that the
Turk is the dominant race is much more
than to utter felicity of speech-it states
profound fact. This state of affairs must
continue until some strong foreign power
steps in or until the Christian sects can
act with a Christian unanimitY. The
Ottoman rulers can point back TO centu-
rles of dominion. The Christian sects
have grown apart rather than together.
Islam in Turkey has kept a solid front.
This leads me to mention a third and
more fundamental element OF power in
the Turkish empire, and that is the Mo-
hammedan religion. Church and State
were never more firmly knit together.
The Porte as the recipient OF the Prophets
mantle unites the highest powers of
Church and State in himself. From a
thousand minarets come the frequent
calls to prayer, from thousand pull
pits are preached the commands
deal nowadays of a decay of the pure
faith of Islam. 1t is true that ''Frank''
civilization has affected many ef the
ports of the Mediterranean and the ada
cent waters. But it is very doubtful ii
Mohammedanism was ever in a purer
state, at least since it's wide propaga-
tion. In its very earliest days we hear
of a drunken Caliph, and all along we
read a still more revolving story OF ra-
pine and slavery with all their attend
ant horrors. II anything, should call
these the purer days of Islam. The
stern unitarianism of Mohammedanism
has as yet been proof against the argu-
ments OF Christian missionaries and re-
mains a puzzle to the church. No one
claims that Islam could control by the
sword alone such a conglomerate of ma
tions. The Koran is equally powerful,
and without it the Turkish empire would
vanish in night. Despite the many
sects into which the followers OF
Mohammed are divided they all have
common bond in the 'inspired
book" | found occasion recently to
write OF the Turkish army. The fact
that more but MOslems, or those who are
counted as such, can enter the army
places great power in the hands of the
Mohammedans. Except in few dis
tricts like the Lebanon section there are
no native Christians under arms in the
empire. This makes it possible for the
government to put down local insurrec-
lions in any of the Asian Valigets with
the greatest ease, and to limited extent
this is true of Turkey in Europe.
The Turkish soldier on many a hard
fought battlefield has shown himself elf
cient though cruel. The fatalstic prin-
ciple makes him careless Of his life, and
he is taught to anticipate Paradise as one
OF the alternatives on the field OF battle.
OF late years he has suffered much from
poor equipment and bad management.
But there has been a marked improve
ment since the German officials went at
the work Of organization, beginning Jan.
], 1886. A Turkish regiment properly
equipped and differed is more than a
match for Russian or an Austrian regi-
ment, not TO speak OF q Greek or a Ser
Wan regiment.
The Turkish navy is not in as good con-
dillon Gs the army. Most Of the technical
work is done by foreigners. Yet this
bankrupt empire has fleet that Is vastly
superior 10 the United States navy. She
has fifteen large armor-clad ships. most
Of them new. The crews are raised partly
by conscrption and partly by voluntary
enlistment.
Another element OF power in the Turk
lsh empire is the equality by birth OF all
believers. There Is here no dangerous
principle Of aristOcracy. The socialistic
nlnmnTfa ha Of