The reports of the Rhodope Commission concerning the retali- ation
taken by the Bulgarians on the Mahommedans of that dis- trict are very frightful. They would, however, be better credited in this country, if more impartial men bad been sent on behalf of Great Britain to inquire into the allegations. We entirely agree with a correspondent that Consul Fawcett was hardly a wise choice for such an office, and that Mr. Baring would have been both far more competent, and far more likely to command belief here. Consul Fawcett's investigation of the circumstances of Mr. Ogle's death seems to have been a model of what such an investigation should not be. And though no one doubts Mr. Fawcett's per- sonal honour, in cases of this kind everything depends on first- hand questioning of the witnesses,—who are manufacturable in any number when the Porte needs testimony which may prove poli- tically serviceable. Mr.J3aring's fairness in the Bulgarian investi- gation, his wide knowledge, and his high standing, pointed him
out specially for this kind of inquiry, and anything that he vouched for would have been beliovett As it is, there seems to he too much reason to fear thatthe Bulgarians have really retell- ateain the fierce spirit of slaves rising againstformer masters, and that the Russian army of occupation has ;apt checked their vio- lence as the antecedents of the Russian army might have led us to hope that they would.
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