The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-26


cerned in the war between Turkey and
Greece. there is no subject 50 engrossfng
TO its people The sympathy Of this
country with Greece serves TO stimulate
interest. but ever more absorbing is the
play of the powers. and the moves being
made which may lead to q general war.
While the soldering In going on IN Greece.
the diplomatic contest Is proceeding
quietly at every capital England 10
building a large number OF war vessels.
France In coaling and provisioning her en-
tire Mediterranean squadron. and the
three small powers Bulgaria. Servia and
Montenegro, are restless. Russia is said
but that ambitious young suserainty is
determined 10 have concessions from
Turkey or fight. Servia Is also cismor-
ing for better terms. IL either Of these
prfncipalities should enter the field there
win be another oufburst OF Russian in
dignation real OF assumed. but none the
less available as an excuse for taking
hand.
The bone of contention. however, is
Macedonia. Turkey has possession of IL:
but Greece wants IL as part OF the old
historic country. Russia wants IL on the
pan-slavist theory, Austria wants IL be-
cause OF the port Of salonika. Bulgaria
claims II as a former part OF that do
minion and Servia for the same reason.
The Pail Mall Gazette reviews the several
claims. which may be briefly stated.
Macedonia was a province of the Greek
empire from the fourth to the middle of
the fourteenth century-that Is to say.
for nearly thousand years. with a short
interruption during the time of the Bull
garian Gar Samuel. Macedonia was
taken from the Greeks and annexed 10
Servia In the middle OF the fourteenth CEN
fury by the servian Car Dushan. The
third and the greatest and the only his
toric fact OF practical Importance Is that
the Turks conquered Macedonia after de-
feating the Seryian King vukashin i'm 1871.
and that since that time up to the present
day they are masters of that country To
the question to whom Macedonia belongs
historically. the only conclusive answer
and that. after him. the Greeks have the
strongest historic claim. At any rate.
one thing is beyond all doubt--the Bull
garians have no historic claim on Mace
donla.
when the treaty OF Berlin was nego-
nexed to Bulgaria. The motive is that
Russia hopes eventually to possess Bull
garia, and Macedonia would 20 with II,
taking the outlet TO the Mediterranean.
which Russia Is determined TO have. Bull
garia would like II. hoping TO be thereby
stronger in her influence against Rus
STA. The intrigues of Stamhulofr included
the acquisition of this territory. and had
he lived II would have been taken as
Eastern Roumella was. But Stambuiofr
was sssassinated and Mnravier. the Rus
stan diplomat cares not whether Bull
garia gets the rrst control or not.
II Germany were led by a statesman.
and not by a man who r. aching 10 lead
a war. that nation would recognize the
danger OF Russia's growing power and
keep stu until England and Russia were
crippled by war and then step In as the
peace maker and claim the largest piece.
But the short-sighted and hot-headed
young emperor does not care what the
cause or what the consequences. provided
only he is on the winning side. II is the
triumphant re-entry into Berlin at the
head OF his army. amid tie plaudits Of the
crowd. that fills his vision and obscures
all other phases OF the subject
II does not seem possible that Euro
pean war can be avoided. The armies OF
Russia, Turkey and Germany have for
some time been at war pitch. and Aus
tria and France have both kept up con-
siderable forces. The present high ten
sion cannot last. 'Russia's purpose is as
well defined as II II were declared. Fer
years she has planned for Just such a
moment as this when England would be
alone and reluctant 20 have war. II Rus
STA would now be content with what
would have satisfied her when ENGLAND
Was In the sscendancy. there Is no doubt
she would sc, II. Bat she will not be.
her diplomacy would be cast aside ard
the despot would show forth A pre-
teCtorats ever Turkey would be the se-
tlon used 20 thst government bat Eng
land would be made 70 feel that for er-
cry inch she had refused. Russia we,lls
take a territory.