The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-19
WOES OF CHRISTIANS.
What They Endure Under Moslem Rule in
Macedonia and Crete-Russian Influences.

What They Endure Under Moslem Rule in
Macedonia and Crete-Russian Influences.
CONsTANTINOPLE, Aug. I'm. Nelidoff,
the Russian ambassador. has become more
urgent in his demand for reform in Mace
dOnia. and says the impassive attitude of
Lord Salisbury respecting Macedonian af-
fairs has seriously hampered Sir William
White, the British ambassador. in his eff
forts to prevent the Car from playing the
role of protector of Christians from the
slavery of Moslem rule, both in Macedonia
and Crete. Entirely trustworthy informa-
tion has been furnished from the interior
districts of Macedonia, showing that
there has been little exaggeration, if,
indeed, any, in the reports which
have been sent out as to the general
disorder and misgovernment which prevail
there. In the complete absence of the ex-
ercise of any authority Moussa Bey and his
followers have had everything their own
way. A worthy successor of his father.
Mira Bey of infamous memory, he has
harried aud plundered the Christians
without check, in many cases merely to
crafty his selfish instincts. But, bad as it
Is, 1T Is one of the concomitants of Turkish
rule. Among some of the methods by
is the fogging of women. the husbands of
many of whom are in Constantinople striv-
ing hard, as hamals or pOrters, or in other
capacities, to earn money with which to
return to their homes. Very often the only
news these poor fellows have of home is
some tale of violence and outrage commit
ted by the governing authorities or the
licensed robbers, the kurds.
Great Britain has incurred obligations to
these people. and to her own advantage.
xrh 10 or ha
ticle of benefit, but rather the reverse, and
the obligations England has incurred were
undertaken by a conservative government,
in which Lord Salisbury occupied the same
position he does now at the Foreign Office.
Influential and leading Armenians, speak
ing of this, say the patience of the Armen-
ian people under sutferipgs under Turkey 8
administrative Kurdish brigands has been
almost entirely due to the hopes held out
to themselves that England would do some
thing for them; hopes they say they can no
longer hold out, and the consequences. they
fear, will be disastrous, for in the absence
of amelioration of their condition they will
follow the lead of revolutionary spirits,
In anticipation of an outbreak. Russia
has sent large force on the frontier for
any emergency. The sympathy displayed
by the Russian ambassador at Constantine
pie has created strong pro- Russian feeling
among the Macedonians, and Russian troops
would receive hearty welcome and many
recruits should they cross the frontier. 1t
is admitted that Russia's action, both as
regards Crete and Macedonia. has won her
many friends among the anti-Russians in
the Balkan states. This feeling has so in
creased in the past week as TO make it diff
cult for NJ. Stambouloif to hold Prince
Ferdinand in Bulgaria many weeks longer
unless England and Germany move in the
matter of reform in Macedonia. AS it is
now, public opinion in the Balkan peninsula
is undoubtedly with Russia for her humane
steps toward lessening the sufferings of the
Cretans and MacedOnians under Moslem
rule