Chapter I: 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

* * * * *

PART I The Great Turk and His Capital

* * * * *

The Turk and His Lost Provinces