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]

PART I
The Great Turk and His Capital

The Turk and His Lost Provinces