New-York tribune., 1910-09-11

-,orIe are strung on q history Of Robert College
during the first forty years Of its existence,
ending in 1908. This part Of the book is typi-
cal Of the difficulties encountered by Christian
educators and missionaries in the Near East
in The past Of the uncertainty Of their position
and is dangers, but also of the great benefits
bestowed by them upon the youth intrusted to
tfef~ care. Robert College was the idea and the
ok Of q New York merchant. Mr.. Christopher
F2- 2--iuLander Robert. and became model for
iarar missionaries. when the Board of Foreign
N.ssi0ns became converted to educational
rocy. DT. Washburn went 10 Constantinople
in ISIS, bDt Up to 1869 his connection with the
college was as he modestly expresses il, only
- -incideataI' one In reality he rendered it
important service even then, by taking charge
e the tortuoUs negotiations for its establish
1aert with the Turkish government. through the
American Legation and the British Embassy
Instructive though this part be, the book
serves & wider purpose, and is OF greater in-
tr~est and service as apd, vivid survey Of
she es.g--5rg social and political conditions in
Turkey during the last half OF the nineteenth
century He refreshes our memory and adds
7,,gsh that is new to the history Of that epoch.
When lie first came TO Constantinople French
influence was paramount At the Yidiz Kiosk
Arte- 1870 began the long diplomatic struggle
is The friend at court. the counsellor and guide.
A panorama Of conspiracies, rev0lts, nlassacres
and wars is unfolded before our eyes, with their
crnsecuences not only IN Corstantinople itself,
l-- in all parts Of the empire, in Macedonia
ard Bulgaria Armenia and Greece. Dr.. Wash
t..-- gives Us an interesting study Of Abdul
Fa-liG II WHO came so near TO being great
ruler and. even as Il is, introduced many re-
r.--ns that aided IL the enlightenment Of Young
Turkey to his own ultimate undoing
II uas the authorities Of Robert College who
sent L. England the first reports Of the Bul-
ea-an rlassacres in 1876 and forced on the
Investigation that followed in the face Of Eng
l~h Diplomatic necessities C1riously enough,
Ir- TEasstIrn while speaking at length of Eu-
gen Schuyler il this connection, makes no
.--at.ar whatever Of MacGahan
Cr The close o. The Turko- Russian war he tells
a ar-lzote that may be well worth quoting
The Russian armies had Consrantin0IIe At their
-a---. and awaited but the Emperor's word 70
enter the city IL triumph:
General Grant vas II s. Petersburg At this time
nal tsere Wien the Grand Duke arrived Al
sr-e others rs5r- We are IN sight OF 81 Sophia
re-e are M troops between rs and ttle city ShaI
a--s 7ve-e answered once This one was not, in
full belief that lle Grand Duke would 1IIfler-
md rha- 70 take The responsibility him
SEEK and occupy CftS To the great dlsappoI-lt-
--.-t or tt- car he ;ij not General Grant
- E,E -I4- -lis seemed u him the greatest mistake
IL. H--zs4ns aad MADE
The pictures Of the horrors OF the fight OF the
Turkish population Of the country before the
a5varle Of tce Russians after Plevna are ap-
railing SkobeIef-s Cossacks picked Up hun
C-eEs Ct lrI-l-ts that had been thrown away by
rt.i- ua-lcstr5-Een parents some two thousand
re w-re found il the rivers their bodies ac-
t-4--r l411-ailg them. Corpses Of victims Of the
.cIL and starvation lined the railroad from
t5r-ardr-= onward. Including the Gisbanded
troops il was estimated that some three hun
c-e6 thousand reached Constantinople il such
. r.tac1s state that instead Of plundering the
unprotected city. they lay down and died in the
streets and mosques The account reads like
a nightmare. only one Of many in this survey
o- tn effects Of TIE moves Of Christian diplo-
Macy upon the fate Of the peoples Of the Balk-
ans
Tie author looks back with regret upon the
peaceful. -astfuI Consrantinople Of the sos,
.-a-rau-. really Oriental. picturesque and pleas
r-r for -1e resident foreigner Concerning the
flr1.re or the new Turkey he IS pontedly non
e--a1--t-a- The look is decidedly worth while.