The National tribune., 1890-11-27

UN@ -a@1 ~ hllhB puNVA VI thN
* Turks, and started
their decline The Mahome,ans had already
wrested away from Christianity all that
great part Of the then civilized world which
lay in Asia Minor, in Egypt, along the south
shore Of the Mediterranean, and around the
Black Sea- They had taken Constautinople,
long the proud Capital Of the Byzantine
Empire; they had overrun Greece, and forced
their way up the Danube to the very gates
of Vienna. In Spain they had established
the prosperous Kingdom OF Granada. Fer
dinand and Isabella had overthrow the
latter about 80 years before the battle Of
Lepanto but the Moslem power was still
formidable.
The condition Of the Christian world in
Europe in the latter half Of the 10th CEN
fury was very favorable 10 MahOmetan ag-
gression. The mighty throne Of Spain was
occupied by Philip ii, a sullen bigot, who was
wasting the country resources in a struggle
with his rebellious subjects in the Neither
lands and in prosecutions of the Moors,
Protestants, and Jews in his Kingdom
France was under the rule Of the weak and
bloody Charles TX, who was soon to perpe-
trate the infamous massacre Of ST. BarthOlo-
NEW England then a poor and weak
country, was torn by religious wars and civil
dissensiOns. Prussia, now so powerful, was
then but an Insignificant Duchy, Lutheran
In religion, and subject to Poland. Austria
was without navy, and was exhausted by
L.
came up the Danube. Russia had not re-
covered from the rule Of the Tartars. Genoa
and Venice, the two great Christian naval
powers on the Mediterranean, were ex-
hausted by century long warfare with each
other and the Turks which had resulted
IN the almost total destruction Of their naval
Resources.
On the other hand, the Turks, elated with
almost continual success, continued 20 de-
vel0p their army until ID was felt 10 be ire
sistible, while they fitted out q feet which
swept the shores Of the Mediterranean
Allied with them were the cOrsairs Of the
Mah0meian Barbary States, who had already
become noted as pirates, a reputation which
they succeeded in maintaining for $50 years
longer until the infant navy Of the United
States took The lead in their destruction.
The arrogance, encroachments and I'M
scrupulOus violence Of the Turks, together
with the fall Of Cyprus followed by the inn
nense preparations in the Turkish ports and
arsenals, made ii evident TO the Christian
countries along the shores Of the Mediterra-
mean that supreme effort should be made
70 check the advance Of the Ottoman power.
Pope Plus ", a simple monk who had been
elevated to the Pontifcal throne, worked
hard be form a league OF the Christian
States, and succeeded in bringing about
coalition between Spain, Genoa, Venice and
Rome.
IN order 10 induce Philip TO Join the
league the Pope consented 10 give him an
the revenues Of the Church as long as the
war should last, promise which
CAUSED GEEAT DELAY,
as the ayarici0us and cunning monarch
deferred preparations and threw every OBJ
Btacle ID The way in order 10 profit as long
a. possible from the rich revenue.
Finally, IN the Autumn Of 1871, the allied
feet consisting Of 100 galleys six huge
Ralleasses, with transports and other vessels.
carrying 10000 soldiers and 10000 rowers.
made rendezvous at Messina, in Sicily. At
The bead Of this feet was placed Don John OF
Austria an Legitimate halfbrOther OF Philip
III, who detained the feet until he was
strengthened by every possible reinforce
mcnt: for defeat on this occasion would be a
crushing one 10 the side which should lose.
and he well knew the resources Of the Otto
man Empire would be strained 40 the utmost
90 equip their armament TO further encour-
age the men, the Pope proclaimed q Jubilee
and granted lnduigences 10 an engaged. az
had been given 20 those in the Crusades.
TIE ealleys were large vessels, propelled
chiefly by oars, and provided with q project
ing spur or ram, aud on the iorecastle was
mounted a gun. The galleasses were much
larger vessels and differed from the galley
inHsmHch ar they were broader and some-
what shorter, aud carried guns IN their
broaasdes. The projecting spurs Don John
caused TO be removed from the prows OF
many vessels, and this change, together with
the mounting Of guns in broadside, was a
complete revolution IN naval warfare.
Much jealousy was caused By the drafting
OF men from one squadron 20 another. IN
order 10 equallze the forces hut Don John
finally succeeded by excellent executive
ability I'D bringing about an understanding
All being completed, the fleet put 10 sea
on the 10th September but made slow prog
ress against the rough seas and head windt
along the Callahan coast They had TO put
into Corfu, where they found the evidence,
OF the enemy In smoking towns and deserted
vineyards. A small dispatch squadron wa,
sent ahead 10 reeOnn0ter, and returned witt
the news that the Turks had powerful feet
and were committing
FEARFUL RAVAGEs
up0n the Nenitian territories.
The Turkish naval forces were assembled
I'm the Gulf OF Corinth, and consisted o.
nearly 250 royal galleys most Of them Of the
largest class, and number Of smaller vessels
having on board, including the rowers
10000 men. The rOWers, consisted ol