The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-28
WAR CLOUD VISIBLE.
bulgaria Now Threatens to Break the
Peace of EurODe,

Peace of Europe.
LONDON, June 27.--Now that the Jubilee
hurrah is over the English press and public
will have time to cast an eye toward south
eastern Europe, where the existence of an
armistice by no means guarantees a per-
manent and satisfactory adjustment of the
Greco-Turkish complications. There is not
the least doubt that Turkey will withdraw
from Thessaly, but she is making a stub
born fight for quid pro quo Meanwhile
the situation is developing new and trouble
some features.
There is something menacing in the pres
ent concentration of Bulgarian troops on
the Turkish frontier. M. Marcofr, the Bull
garlan minister at Constantinople, has re-
turned to his post after visit to Sofia to
receive further instructions, and has al
ready begun to insist on the issuing of the
berats for the investiture of the Bulgarian
bishops lately appointed in Macedonia At
the outbreak Of the war with Greece the
Sultan. who feared that all the petty states
of the Balkan peninsula would attack him
at once, promised the berats promptly, but
since Edhem Pasha's victorious march
through Thessaly he has forgotten all
about it. Another point M Marcoff has
been instructed to press is a rectification
Of frontier. He has informed the represen-
tatives Of the powers that if either Greece
or Turkey obtains an accession of terri
tory, Bulgaria will claim the Turkish viii
lagos lying about Mount Rhodope.
The strip of country in question is inhab-
tied by Moslem Bulgars, who are some of
the biggest scoundrels in the world and
who continually harry and rob the Chris
tian Bulgarians near them. M. Marcoff has
been told to demand also an explanation
from the Porte of the masSing of Turkish
troops on the Bulgarian frontier, and as
Turkey intends to put a similar question to
Bulgaria, there are all the markings of a
quarrel
The French see in these maneuvers the
determination Of Count Muravieff to al
low the Sultan to keep Thessaly and be-
lieve that should therslb anprolonged de-
lay the Car will send Bulgaria against
him. at the same time making a dash
across the Black sea on Constantinople.
Macedonia will one day fall to the Slavs,
but if Turkey were allowed to establish
herself firmly in Thessaly great difficulties
would be thrown in the way of the rapid
division OF the province. This is the argu-
ment on the Quai OrSay.
The Bulgarian government intends short
ly to propose to the Porte the transforma-
ton OF Macedonia into an autonomous
province Ii this intention should be car
ried out, it would be difficult TO eXaggerate
its gravity. The mere fact that it is con-
templated gives rise to anxiety. When
Prince Ferdinand was last in Russia he
promised the Car three things-the bap-
tism of his son in the Orthodox faith, the
the Bulgarian army and the cessation of
the schisms in the Bulgarian Church. The
first promise has been fulfilled. The third
though hard pressed, has been thwarted
hitherto by the determined opposition of
the Greek metropoltan--which is one of the
many grudges of Russia against Greece
The second condition will soon be carried
into effect. .41 49,
1t is easy to understand that Bulgaria
should now look to Russia for reward. 1t
is impossible that she should formulate
such an important proposal as the au-
tonomy of Macedonia without being
sured Of the substantial support either of
Russia or Austria, or of both But Mace
DOMAIN autonomy would not be calculated
to meet the views of Austrian politicians,
since it would mean the enormous pre-
ponderance in Macedonia of the Bulgarian
element now that its most dangerous
rivals the Greeks, are exhausted. More
over, all presidents go to show that au-
tonomouS provinces have a habit of de-
veloping into independent principalities. If
Russia is backing up Bulgaria without
previous understanding with Austria, the
consequences might be extremely serious,
and from whatever standpoint 1t IS viewed
this move, if carried out to the end, is cal
culated to add another disturbing element
to the situation in the East.
What is especially resented at Yildiz
Kiosk is the constant Interference of Eu-
rope in the internal affairs of the empire
as a matter of right under the protection
of certain clauses of the treaty of Berlin.
1t is not impossible that a compromise
might be effected on the basis Of the re-
linquishment of the right of European in
reference between the Sultan and his sub
iects. The Turks hold at presentdhe whole
of the province. While the ambassadors
are talking at ConstantinQple, the Porte is
sending Turkish administrators-kaim
anS-tO administer the country, levy Gus
toms duties at the ports and presumably
to collect the taxes.
The Turks are quite prepared for the ne
gotiations falling through, and to hold by
the sword what they have won by the
swords point. Germany supports Turkey
in her claim to retain the territory she has
reconquered, and which she held from 1882
until She was deprived of it by the treaty
of Berlin. If Turkey had made a wanton
and unproVoked attack upon Greece 10 re-
conquer Thessaly the demand that she
should give it up without any sort Of COM
pensation might be sustainable, but this is
VIGOROUSLY not IRE case. None or the
powers is prepare. to resort to force to
compel her to evacuate. The Turkish
dipiomatists contend that if they complied
with this demand without quid pro quo,
the impunity thus extended to Greek ag-
gression would be temptation to its being
renewed, and they ask what compensation
the powers have TO offer in exchange.
There is another difficulty in the way of
the Porte which must be taken into ac-
count. That is the national feellng OIL MUS
sulman fanaticism in Constantnople. The
world knows what took place in Constan-
tinople at the end of last August II is
easy to imagine what would be likely 10
torious army had been ordered to march
back into Macedonia. 1t might lead to an
outbreak that would cost the Sultan his
throne Whatever else they may be de-
cided upon. the powers have practically ar
rived at a unanimous decision that a STRAIT
egic rectification of the frontier must be
permitted in order to give satisfaction TO
Turkey and few of her troops Will be
allowed to occupy certain points until at
least portion of the indemnity has been
paid.
THANKS FROM VIC TORIA.