The last of a Subjugated people.
--A movement is at this moment taking place in the
East of
Europe which excites the most painful interest in the Western world.
The
Russians, having taken the last stronghold of the Circassians, have intimated to the tribes dwelling in and around these mountains that they must either bear allegiance to the
Emperor of
Russia or emigrate; the sea coast tribes are given five years to take the choice; the hill tribes must do so immediately.
The choice has been quickly and generally taken; multitudes, to the another of 300,000, are flocking to the shore, and looking out for any coasting vessel that will transport them to
Turkish territory.
Few vessels are found, and on those few the accommodation is, of course, wholly inadequate.
In the meantime the people die like sheep; some on the coast where they are awaiting transports, some in the country where they take refuge, many on shipboard during the passage; 20 per cent is the least proportion of loss that can be calculated; of 600 passengers on a steam transport, 870 only arrived alive.
The Turkish Government has done what it could; the few available transports were sent to the coast, and now some men of war are to be disarmed for the same duty.
Shelter, nourishment, and sanitary regulations have been provided to the full extent of their present means; a subscription has been started, which the Sultan has most munificently headed with the sum of 55,000l; but it is calculated that the permanent establishment of the emigrants will cost the
Government more than 1,000,000l. In the midst of disaster there are many who love to speculate on the possible advantages which may result; these people talk of the immense benefit which the addition of a strong mountain face will be not only to the blood of the country, but to its laboring powers over the vast uncultivated
Edens of
Asia Minor.
The latter hope may have good foundation, but as to the former we must remember that the Turk is already more than half Circassian, through the continual mingling of that race with the Turkish on the mother's side.
Another idea is that they may be profitably used to recruit the army; this will be a great benefit to the Turks, and we doubt not the greatest of boons to the hardy mountaineer, who may, perhaps, thus meet his oppressor and exterminator en equal terms on the plains of Bessarabia, or wherever else the next blow will be struck by
Russia against Turkish independence.
