Transcriber’s Notes:
Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
Additional Transcriber’s Notes are at the end.
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THE TURK AND HIS LOST PROVINCES
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[Illustration: THE BALKAN STATES TO ACCOMPANY “THE TURK AND HIS LOST
PROVINCES,” By Wm. Eleroy Curtis]
_The_ TURK _and_ HIS LOST PROVINCES
GREECE
BULGARIA
SERVIA
BOSNIA
BY
WILLIAM ELEROY CURTIS
_Author of “The True Thomas Jefferson,” “The Yankees of the
East,” “Between the Andes and the Ocean,” etc._
[Illustration]
_SECOND EDITION_
CHICAGO NEW YORK TORONTO
FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY
LONDON & EDINBURGH
MCMIII
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Copyright, 1903, by
FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY
(_April_)
Chicago: 63 Washington Street
New York: 158 Fifth Avenue
Toronto: 27 Richmond Street, W
London: 21 Paternoster Square
Edinburgh: 30 St. Mary Street
PREFACE
Von Moltke, the great German soldier, predicted that a universal war
would be fought under the walls of Constantinople. He had faith that
the Christian Powers of Europe, sooner or later, would compel the Turks
to respect their moral, political, and financial obligations. This
would have been done years ago but for the jealousy of those Powers,
and the thousands of innocent Macedonians who have been massacred and
the hundreds of thousands who have suffered from Turkish cruelty are
the victims of that jealousy. The Czar would intervene, but England,
France, Austria, and Germany will not permit him to do so for fear
Russia will obtain a port upon the Mediterranean. At intervals the
uprisings in Macedonia have indicated the approach of hostilities. They
have grown more frequent and serious until, as this little book goes
to press, Russia and Austria have demanded a better government for
Macedonia, and the Sultan has responded by ordering 250,000 Turkish
troops into that province. Diplomatic negotiations and empty assurances
may again avert war, but every sign indicates that Von Moltke’s
prophecy is soon to be fulfilled. The purpose of this publication is
to give English readers a few facts about the several “buffer states”
of the Balkan Peninsula which cannot be elsewhere obtained. It is the
result of a journey through that peninsula as correspondent of The
Chicago Record-Herald, and although the author realizes that it is
defective and incomplete, he is confident that the American public
will appreciate his efforts to give them the timely information it
contains.
CONTENTS
THE GREAT TURK AND HIS CAPITAL
I. The Lost Provinces 13
II. The Turkish Government 35
III. The Sultan and His Family 54
IV. The Selamlik 82
V. The City of the Grand Turk 91
VI. Scenes in Constantinople 107
VII. Mosques and Palaces 126
VIII. Robert College and the Missionaries 142
BULGARIA
IX. Recent History and Politics 165
X. The People of Bulgaria 191
XI. The Kidnaping of Miss Stone 217
SERVIA
XII. The Political Situation in Servia 243
XIII. The Capital of Servia 257
BOSNIA
XIV. A Remarkable Example of Administration 273
GREECE
XV. From Corfu to Corinth 311
XVI. Modern Athens 332
XVII. Shrines and Temples 369
ILLUSTRATIONS
Map _Frontispiece_
_Facing Page_
A Ghazi--a Mohammedan Fanatic 49
Gate to Dalma Baghtcheh Palace, Constantinople 69
A Street of Constantinople 91
The Seraglio, Constantinople 92
Fire Brigade, Constantinople 116
Beyler-Bey Palace, Constantinople 132
Suleiman Mosque, Constantinople 136
Robert College, Constantinople 142
Sofia, the Capital of Bulgaria 166
House of the Sobranje, Sofia 176
Monastery of St. John of Ryle, Bulgaria 186
Royal Palace at Sofia 197
Business Street in Sofia 198
Military Club at Sofia 200
A Macedonian Ready for Revolution 239
King Alexander of Servia 248
Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria 248
A Glimpse of Modern Belgrade 259
Royal Palace at Belgrade 260
A Glimpse of Old Belgrade 262
Government Hotels, Bosnia 296
Jewish Cemetery in Bosnia 299
A Young and an Old Corinthian 322
Ruins of Ancient Corinth 328
Modern Athens 332
Modern Athenians 335
The Museum at Athens 357
Mars Hill, Athens 378
Temple of Theseus, Athens 380
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PART I The Great Turk and His Capital
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The Turk and His Lost Provinces