New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-05
4 REAL BALKAN T4R CLOUD.

There is indeed war cloud in the Balkans.
and a big one The phrase has for years been
the most banal of hywords in European news.
But for all the chids false alarms, in the old
fable the wolf did really come one day; and
so may come war In the Balkan Peninsula,
despite the many unfulflled mcnaces OF IT, Inc
Cabinet crisis in Bulgaria Is ominons. 1t was
due we are told. 10 discomfort with NJ. Stoilon S
Macedonian policy. which was deemed made
quate to Bulgaras ambition. That Is true NJ
Stoiloff who though not a Stambuloff is very
able man. and probably by far the best states
man in Bulgaria. Is in favor of Macedonas
autonomy. and has been working so openly for
II as 10 set the Turkish Army In motion toward
the frontier But the Bulgarian people, and
their Prince too. are not content with that
They want to annex Macedonia to Bulgaria
outright And so they want more pronounced
lingo at the head of the Ministry.
How far the Bulgarans going is shown
by the plans for the coming Macedonian Con
gress That body Is 10 be constituted ny the
most radical revolutionists in Macedonia and
Bulgaria. and is TO meet in Geneva on Fehru-
0rv 10 II IS being got up and will be managed
by certain Or. Kapchcff. Bulgarian lawyer
who has had to leave Bulgaria for political
reasons and is consequently directing his prop
ag9nda from a safe retreat in Croatia where
no also publisneS a paper devoted TO the cause
Of annexing Macedonia to Bulgaria. II Is quite
nrohahle that the Congress will organize pro
visional government for Macedonia and decree
lis annexation. And although DR. Kaptchef Is
in exile from Bulgaria. there is no doubt that
thc Bulgarian people and Prince are in full
svmnathv with these schemes of his, and that
his CONGRESSES offer Of annexation will be ac-
ceptcd by the Sobranjc and an attempt Will be
made 10 enforce it, Which will probably mean
war.
Tho opDortunitv for ructon Is uncommonly
cood hocausc Of Crete. Four nations have been
claiming Macedonia the foremost being Bull
qarla and Greece. Well Greece has practically
annexed Crete At least the island has been
made autonomous with a Greek Prince for
Governor So Bulgaria claims that 10 preserve
the balance ~ power she must be permitted TO
take Macedonia There is some logic In That
demand. and there is behind il Bulgarian
Army which thinks itself able 10 cope with
that Of Turkey 1t probably is not thus able
mr. will not he when the Turks get the new
pnns which Emperor William succeeded In per
euadinc the Sultan 10 purchase But suppose
the Rulgarans are beaten. argue the JinGoes nj
Sonhia. they are Christians and Christian
Euronc Will intervene for them against the
Noslcm Turks Perhaps. Here again the Crctan
hrsiness crops up. Greece went 10 war with
Turkey against the express mandate Of the
Powers The Powers told Greece that If she
wont 10 war she would have 10 take the conse-
oueuccs and would not he allowed 10 gain any
thing hv f. But when she was whipped they
came 10 her rescue stayed the hand OF the
snoliating Turk and have now given her the
island She so long has coveted. Surely they
would not do less for bulgaria. would they:
We shall sec when the time comes. Two
creat Powers only are directly interested in
Macedonia and they both desire peace and for
tho nrescut the maintenance Of the status quo.
Rut the trouble IS they are not on as good
terms with each other as they were few years
back. Russia took a leading part IN the Cretan
settlement while AuStra-IIungary withdrew
from the Concert. Either would be glad 10 do
tho other an III turn. even AT the expense OF
Ralkan war Given. therefore. a bumptious
youpg nation playing with frehrands round the
lumhcr-ruom Of Europe. and two big Powers
looking on each willing 70 have a blaze II only
the other one VIII get scorchcd given such con
ditions the outlook is for trouble. Perhaps il Is
,uSt as we'll For a war in Macedonia would
probably remain purely local. as did that be-
tween Greece and Turkey. and would not in
fict greater evils upon the country than are
/ beInc Inflicted by the chartered and I'M
chartered brigands who now form the govern
ment Of that unhappy country. And there
really seems no hope Of rcmcdying these latter
evils without a war.