The Pomaks, or Mahommedan Bulgarians, in the villages scattered through
the Rhodope have complicated the situation by rising in insurrection. According to some accounts, they have risen in consequence of Bulgarian oppression, but according to others, they have the aid of soldiers whom Suleiman Pasha left among them, and encouragement from influential persons at Constanti- nople. In the latter and more probable case, the idea must be to compel the Russians to put a direct pressure on the Porte, which would be received in this country as a justification for war. The insurgents, though their numbers are exaggerated, are probably as good soldiers as Turkish Irregulars, and 15,000 Russians are reported to be engaged in suppressing the insurrection. The Pomaks say it is useless for the Sultan to send them orders, for they will not obey them. That course is highly approved in England, where it is held that for Christian Bulgarians to rebel against Mussulmans is very wrong, but for Mussulman Bulgarians to rebel against Christians is very right. Englishmen thought differently in 1857, but then rebellion was directed against them- selves,—which makes a difference.
