No. 194.
Mr. Francis to Mr. Fish
Athens, May 4, 1872. (Received May 27.)
Sir: Exaggerated and false reports are constantly published by the European press concerning brigandage in Greece. These erroneous statements are not infrequently republished in American newspapers. They represent that the kingdom outside of Athens is under brigand rule, and that no traveler can with safety venture beyond the limits of this capital. To show the impression made by these publications, I may state the fact that I have received several letters from American tourists in Europe, inquiring whether they could visit Athens and its vicinity with safety.
Now the truth is, only a portion of the mainland of Greece bordering upon the territory of Turkey has ever been overrun with brigands. Two-thirds of the kingdom, including the Peloponnesus and the islands, are now and always have been free from these outlaws.
Driven from Greek soil, they cross the border, only to return when they can do so with the least danger to themselves and with some hope of reward for their daring. The border is extended; it passes over mountains, and through mountain defiles, and it is impossible to guard [Page 240] it at all points by military force. And so it is that brigands get into this department of Greece in which the capital is located.
The Greek authorities have some three thousand soldiers employed to guard the frontier and afford protection against brigands.
Some two weeks ago a party of brigands, who had recently crossed the frontier into Greece, were traced to their place of concealment near the border, and the following persons were captured and killed, as reported to me by the government:
- 1.
- Basil Condojamis, a chief from Radovizia, in the province of Orta, Turkey, who took to brigandage in the year 1855–’56, and became the most dangerous chief in those parts. In 1865 the Greek government proclaimed a reward of 15,000 drachmas for the capture and killing of this malefactor.
- 2.
- Demetrus Colocythis, from Orias, district of Ombracia, who took to brigandage in 1867. In 1870, a reward of 1,500 drachmas was offered for his capture and destruction.
- 3.
- Patsis Sartzis, from Maricadi, of the province of Outa, Turkey, who became a brigand five or six years ago. In 1870, the same reward was offered for the killing of this malefactor.
At the same time five prisoners, who had broken jail and escaped, were recaptured. They had undoubtedly joined the brigands.
The government authorities inform me that they are not now aware of the existence of a single band of brigands in this kingdom. But to provide against possible danger from their secret incursion from Turkey into Greece, they prefer to furnish a military escort for persons who desire to travel any considerable distance to the northward of the capital. This is done without charge. The country is sparsely settled, and such protection is always desirable. Mr. Brewer, United States consul at the Piraeus, accompanying two American citizens, is now making a trip to Thebes, Delphi, &c, and he telegraphed me from the former place that there is no evidence of the existence of brigands anywhere on this route, and that they are everywhere most cordially received by the people, A military escort accompanies them.
From the best information I am able to obtain, official and otherwise, I arrive at these conclusions:
- 1.
- That at present there is no organized brigandage in Greece.
- 2.
- That the government is doing all that it possibly can do to prevent its existence in the country.
- 3.
- That the danger from brigandage is confined to the northern section of the kingdom bordering upon Turkey.
- 4.
- That with a military escort, to be had for the asking, and without charge, travelers may visit this northern section without danger.
I am, &c,