Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-07-17


and commercial oblivion. and the ex
istence of once powerful people wa,
almost forgotten. They lay helpless
and hopeless under the heel of a win
dictive and merciless despot, until
what Were termed the Bulgarian afro
cities excited universal horror in 1877
81. Then Russia interviewed on the
pretext OF racial and religious rela
tionship and attempted to take them
from Turkey.
The original treaty of San Stefano
which fixed the terms of peace exact
ed by the czar from the sultan. would
almost have restored the boundaries of
the ancient Bulgarian empire given Its
people theoretical independence under
his protection. and reduced European
Turkey to a narrow strip of territory
but the jealousy of the other powers
would not permit IL. Russia must not
be allowed to extend her sphere of In.
fuence toward the Mediterranean
England and Germany interfered
called "A conference of nations at Ber-
lin, tore up the treaty of San Stefano,
restored large area to the Turkish
empire. and left group of small,
weak states to stand as a buffer be-
tween the sultan and his aggressive
neighbors.
This was done upon certain condi-
ttons. Certain pledges were exactnd
from the sultan concerning the admin.
istration and taxation of the restored
provinces, particularly that the inhab.
itants should be given religious lib
erty aud be governed officially of Their
own faith. None of these conditions
have been fulfilled, aud the most apall-
ing injustice and }cruelties have been
practiced year after year, similar to
those which occurred in Bulgaria and
provoked the Turko- Russian war. Hut
man life and property have been held
as worthless by the Turkish officials
and military garrisons. No woman
has been safe from their lust No
man has been allowed to accumulate
property or to improve his condition
without exciting the avarice of the
tax-gatherer and the military corr
mandant. 1t has been useless for the
inhabitants TO save money or produce
more than enough to supply their own
wants. for the slightest surplus would
attract attention and be stolen from
the owner
The Christian population have had
no standing in the courts and were of
ten prohibited from practicing their
religion except In secret The num-
Der of lives wantonly taken. the num-
Der of homes wantonly destroyed. the
number of children ravished and the
number OF children butchered in the
Turkish provinces of Europe, and par
ticularly in Macedonia, where the pop
ulation is almost entirely Christian,
would shock the world if the truth
were known, and yet. year after year.
the powers of Europe have permitted
these conditions to continue.
An occasional insurrection or law
less incident of which a foreigner has
been the victim, like the kidnapping
of Miss Stone has attracted public at
tention and several written papers
have been filed at the sublime porte
by the ambassadors at Constantinople
in which the sultan has been warned
that the atrocities would not be toler-
| ated any longer and has been admon-
ished to repent and reform But. in
stead of improving. the conditions
have grown worse. Each of these Dip
lomatic episodes has been followed by
more serious exactions and persecu-
tions. Every remonstrance has been
| followed by an Increase of the military
garrison in Macedonia. by greater re-
strictions upon the liberties of people
and by the arrest and Imprisonment
of patriots who were suspected of
having inspired the protest The fact
is well known at every embassy at
| Constantinople and in every foreign
Office in Europe both from official and
unofficial Information. Every man in
the world who cares to know the
truth can learn it without the slightest
| trouble.
| How long the powers of Europe will
permit the sultan to defy them and to
| the present conditions to continue is
a question often asked in private and
in public and never answered.
| PORTSMOUTH, Eng, July 15-
The royal train bearing King Edward
arrived at 2 o'clock this afternoon
| The king embarked on the royal yacht
Victoria and Albert. The yacht goes
direct to Cowes. The weather is hot
but the sea is in a dead calm. an idea
condition for cruises.
| LONDON. July liking Edward
left Victoria station at II :35 a. m. this
morning for Portsmouth. where ht
will board the royal yacht. The time
of his majestys departure was KEEP,
a secret At II O'Clock the station
was cleared. The king was brought
to the station in a large closed ambu
lance. Big scarlet screens wer,
4 placed between the ambulance ant
train. and none but doctors and imme
date attendants saw his majesty. II,
was carried on a couch to the doubl,
door of the railway carriage Heav,
curtans obstructed the interior of al
coaches.
| LONDON. July 15.-Memorial serv
ices for the late Lord Pauncefote wer,
held in the royal chapel at noon to
|day.
NEW YORK. July I5.-Mrs. Johan
ma Dwyer wife of police roundsman
placed under arrest this morning
lcharged with the murder of her seven