The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-09-11


essary to preserve the balance o1 power
IN Europe and that her integrity should
not be altogether destroyed
Inc sensations or the congress. cnxi-
neereo by Disraeli we're supplied by
rrea, bfi'ain and we're The secret treat
.es' .heh Tor the frst time revealed. en-
turkey by which the former agreed for
all future time TO defend the Asiatic
dominions OF the Ottoman empire "bv
torce or arms" while Turkey on the
other hand, promised TO INTRODUCES ali
necessary reforms as agreed upon with
its ally and 10 assign the island Of Cy-
pfus TO be occupied and administered
Dy Great Britain so long as Russia
snouid occupy Batum. Ardahan and
hars' This was a ny in the Russian
ointment. and IL sticks there stilI
greatly 10 the annoyance OF the Rus
sian Bear.
Since then have occurred the afro
cious Armenian massacres, beginnine
IN 1894, IN which il was reported more
than $4,000 persons OF both sexes and
all ages met death at the bands OF
the kurds and Turkish soldiery. Eng
iand was at the time almost as greatly
reprooated as the real criminal. Tur-
Key on account of her apathy and ap-
parent indifference.
Inc war between Greece and Turkey
IN 1872 is ,ne most recent appearance OF
large bodies OF Turkish soldiery in the
neld. ~ arose from the Cretan insur-
rection. during which the so called con
cert of powers rallied TO the aid OF the
Turks in Crete and even fred upon the
Cretan insurgents and blockaded their
ports. In the hostilities which followed
between Greece and Turkey II must ba
confessed that the soldiers OF the for
nler made a bad showing as compared
with those OF the latter. They were
beaten al every point. and their cow
Frdice was in marked contrast to Turk
ish bravery. In the peace NEGOTIATIONS
Turkey demanded permanent posses-
sion of Thessaly, which had been rapid
ly overrun by her soldiery. but eyentu-
ally obtained little territory and was
obliged TO be content with large non
ey indemnity instead
From this epitome OF Turkeys doings
as nation we can see that OF late she
has been supported more by outside in.
nuence than by innate capacity. She
holds her position on sufferance only
and would quickly lose her grip on Eu-
rope and be summarily kicked ocross
the Bosporus were IL not for the quar-
rel that would surely arise among the
powers over the vacated territory.
Structuraliy weak. her only strength
lies in the incongruous elements OF her
population. so dissimilar that there can
be no union among them for a success
ful rebellion. AS TO area, while Turkey
In Europe covers about 63.S50 square
miles. Turkey in Asia overspreads 72s.-
lao square miles. The population OF the
former is 4.7s0.000. of the latter $751;
600, with about $4,000. 900 more in terri
tories such as Bulgaria. Tripoli aud
Egypt which acknowledge hardly more
than nominal suzerainty.
IL war were to occur, the porte could
reckon upon the support of only the
10000 900 or 1000. 900 Ottomans. togeth-
er with million or so OF Circassians,
Tartars and Albanians. for the majori-
~ OF his subjects are secretly hostile
to his government. Many OF them are
nom Moslems and hate their rulers
heartily.
The Turkish army on a nominal peace
footing is 10000; on a war footing over
100000 OF all categories. The Turkish
soldiers are brave and faithful, capa-
bic OF great endurance and excellent
nghters, but they lack skilled com
ihahdSiS dHu leducfS. AS compared
with the French. they are poor shots.
deficient in discipline and armed with
almost obsolete guns Their artillery
comprises scme great guns furnished by
the krupps, but. taken altogether, Is
inefficient.
In the Turkish navy there are 1o2
steamers all of a more or less ancient
type, including Is ironclads and 25 tor
pedo boats. with a total peace strength
of about $4,000 men. The navy, hew-
ever, Is not seriously considered by any
power in Europe and is likely to prove
more formidable to its owners than TO
their foes. In her commercial marine
Turkey has hardly more than 100
steamers and $50 sailing vessels. about
100000 total tonnage. The annual rev.
enue OF late has been about ss2. 900 900.
with an expenditure always above re-
ceipts, no, matter what they may be
The total Turkish debt is about $500.
100000 imports, si0o.0oo,Ooo annually
and exports approximating $50. 100000
CLAIMING A. BARLOW.