Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-17
EXPULSION OF TURKS FROM
EUROPE,


Russia has never for a moment Civ.
en- up its determination to acquire
Constantinople and thus gain an out
let to the Mediterranean, and now the
time seems propitious for securing the
grand result. In the last war with
Turkey when the Cossacks were near
the gates of Constantinople, England
interviewed to save the Turk by tho
treaty which Russia was forced to ac-
cept, but the circumstances have
changed greatly and in favor of the
big empire, which has strengthened
itself not only by strong alliances but
by the acquisition of vast areas of
rich territory. The car has possess
sions in Asia that embrace twice as
much land as the United States prop
er. They are about as large as the
Whole of South America and almost
twice as much as all Europe. The
Russian possessions in Central Asia
alone, including the region now being
opened by the Trans-Caspian railroad,
are half as large as the whole of our
country and the czar is claiming the
right to all concessions in Chinese.
I'urkestan, territory twice as big as
the German empire. Manchuria is big
ger than any country in Europe OUT
side of Russia, and Mongolia, which is
fated to fall into the hands of the CO.
lossal empire is one-third the size of
the United States. The Russian pol
icy is to treat the conquered people
kindly if they are obedient, but if they
do not obey, the Russians do not hest
tate to annihilate them This policy
has worked well for the car among
semi-civilized hordes that have en-
countered Russian discipline.
The prediction of the great Napol--
con that continental Europe would
within half century become either
republican or Cossack, has not been
fulfilled but long steps toward the
prophecy have been taken France
is under the strong control of Russia
and is pledged to aid the car in any
war he may undertake. Austria is al
SO under Russian influence and in
case of a struggle with the Turk will
aid Russia. The opportunity for sue
cessful war now appears in Macedonia
in demand for reform in that prov
ince. The course of events will be
somewhat as follows:
The program of reform which Rus
STA, France and Austria have pressed
upon the sultan will not be carried
out. The SHOWS will melt and the in
surgents will take to the mountains.
The rising will be put down and the
bloodshed involved will be eXaggerat-
ed. The Macedonian committee will
be no longer held back. Bulgaria will
come to the rescue OF Macedonia, and
Russia will have to come to the rescue
OF Bulgaria. Austria will have to
stand aside, keeping in the ring and
awaiting the stimulated reward of
war like the last one. The war will be
duel between Russia and Turkey
life struggle on the part of the Turk
and determination on the part of the
car to capture Constantinople and
drive the Turk out of Europe"
The sultan, with characteristic per-
versity and with utter disregard of
the civilized world, has ordered the
Immediate mobilization of 100000
troops in Macedonia, and this levy is
to come from Asiatic Turkey, compos-
ed OF semi-barbarous troops, who will
at once inaugurate another series of
massacres of all who are not Moham-
medans. This will set the Christian
world on fire and neutralize English
sympathy for the Turks.
The war that will ensue will par
take somewhat of the character Of
a holy crusade against the "infidel"
who has held the great city on the
Bosphorus that was long ago captllr-
ed from the Greek Christians; has
also held the sacred places in Pales-
tine in the face of all Christendom,
admitting the Christians only to GER
tain Localities and this with scornfn
condescensian that is insulting and
humiliating 60 the Christian world.
Heretofore Turkey has existed by the
sufferance of European nations on the
theory that such an empire is neces--
sary in order to preserve, the balance
OF power in Europe and thus prevent
constant wars. The time seems to
nave passed when such a necessity
can be urged; wars have been con-.
slant and in many of them the Turk
himself has ben engaged; he has
fought Russia, and when not engaged
in conflict with the greater nations
he has bathed his scimetar in the
blood of those who did not agree with
him in matters of faith and religion
The expulsion of the Turk from Eur
ope need not necessarily annihilate
the empire, but it would be an empire
with its power for great evil destroy,
ed