The Parker post., 1914-06-27

80 N MY return from a visit to
~ A Thrace l stopped at Adriano-
M pie, now once more in Turk
~ ish hands. A year ago this
time we were inspecting the
Bulgarian army besieging the city TO
take it by storm months later. 1t was
a military camp then. 1t is not less SO
today. The streets, public and even
private buildings, swarm with soldiers.
The trains from Constantinople are
running continually between the two
Turkish capitals, the chief tratnc be-
ing the transportation Of troops and
military supplies, writes the Sofia cor
respondent of the Chicago Daily News.
On the day 1 spent in Adrianople
the city's garrison was augmented by
the arrival of 5000 infantry and 5000
cavalry. When the Bulgarians had 1t
the city looked as if peopled almost
entirely by Christians; just the oppo-
ity of the citizens. are Christian Bull
gars, Greeks and Armenians, it is diff
f1cult to meet them in the streets; the
fact is that they keep in safety in their
own houses.
t. Greeks HarshIy Treated.
The Greeks are in disfavor and, l
may say, are treated rather harshly by
the authorities. All sorts of pretexts
are being devised to mulct them and
the merchants among them find it al
most an impossibility to do business.
1 need not say that Christians are sub
ject to all kinds of extortions, rob
berries and insults, due to a military
despotism which is worse because it
is Turkish.
Orders have been given for putting
in shape all the Notifications of the
city. Wagon loads of ammunition are
being continually carted to their destf
nation Nobody is allowed to come
near the fortifcations or the barracks,
and in consequence arrests Of suspect
ed persons increase daily. The Bulgar,
however, who is supplied with an Of
fetal pass is treated with civility. The
officer in charge of the exalted duty of
inspecting them on taking mine COM
PLEASANTLY said: "Ghittiniz tchodjuni." ="
Cali right, my boy.)
The commandant Of the city, whom
met accidentally, was pleased to see
me, saying: 1--WE, you know, have a
great admiration for a brave race.
You beat us squarely. In wrestling a
Turk will cordially bow to his vic
torious opponent, lifting him on his
shoulders; SO i'll war, we revere the
victorious enemy that defeated us in
an upright manner. In the past we
were enemies, due to the question of
Macedonia. Now we have nothing to
dispute about. while our interests Co
incide in many respects, both political
ly and commercially.
THE policy of the young Turks Is
to form a close friendship with Bull
garia. That is why Enver Bey became
a pasha (minister). He believes that
the two nations can work together in
the future. We shall grant none Of the
disputed islands to the Greeks. Enver
Bey's appointment to the vtziership is
q sure guaranty Of that, otherwise a
revolution will be the result. We will
support Bulgaria in demanding au-
tonomy for Macedonia, for the number
of Turks In that province is not less
than 100000.
"I am sure that my country will soon
become one of the strongest powers
again. We had sinned against Allah !;
that it why we were punished SO ruth
lessly last year. Allah punished you.
too. A nation should observe it's re-
Iigious duties. We should stick to
our Koran and you to your 'Evangel' "
Just as the commandant finished
talking the muezzin shouted from the
highest minaret of the magnificent Sui
tan Selim mosque, Allah Egber" GAIL
ah is great). The commandant bade
me good-by with the words "Adieu,
mon ami," and we parted
When Allah is great in Turkey, said
[ to myself, that means that the Allah
Of the Christians in Turkey is very
small. Bloodshed Is again in store for
the Balkans.
Poor Outlook for Peace.
Indirectly | found out that Turkey
plans to hold great maneuverS this
spring in Thrace, and the concentra-
Gop Of troops is beginning already.