Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-04-03
GREAT sRlTAlN INTERESTED.
England Taking Strong Stand in the
Balkan Trouble.

London, April 3.-Great Britain is
taking q stronger stand in the Balkan
crisis than the English press and pub
lie appear to realize. his attempt Is
based partly on information obtained
by q correspondent in diplomatic quar-
ters and partly on the explicit declara-
lions of a. distinguished member of the
Armenian Relief Association. The
stronger stand suggested consists IN
warning to Turkey that Europe can
not tolerate the continuance of anarchy
in the Balkans and significant intima-
tfons to Russia and Austria that no
settlement must be contemplated in the
disturbed area that leavas the interests
OF Great Britain out Of account
There IL strong feeling that Russia,
Austria and Turkey are disposed to
play with fire, and the government has
deemed 1t wise to formulate the British
policy in precise terms for the benefit
Of the cabinets OF st. Petersburg and
Vienna. Otherwise 1t was feared that
Russia and Austria, counting on the
weakness or indifference of the Balfour
ministry, might embark on a scheme to
control the near east that would in
evitably provoke war. Downing street
regards British interests in the near
east as vital to the integrity OF the
empire and has not the slightest inten-
ton of seeing them fall before pam
Slavic or Pan -Germanic greed.
Europe Is nearer war ever the Bal
ken question today than at any pre-
yious monent for years" said mem
her of the executive staff of the Ar
S1nenian Relief Association. ITO be
sure he continued, "the cloud may
pass, but the situation Is extraordi-
narily dangerous. One of our repre-
sentatives who has just returned from
the scene Of trouble. reports that Ma
cedonia is a regular arsenal He. says
that the caves, cellars and churches
are filed with rifles and ammunition,
I imported tflruout a long period of years.
& The priests are tireless revolutiontsts
and there is no thought anywhere OF
stopping short of emancipation from
Turkish rule.
Suspects Russia's Designs.
'sW7,en the Russia Austrian reform
Dcheme breaks down then look out.
The powers in the name of civilization,
must act. The only effective action
possible can scarcely fail to entail the
movements of fleets and armies on a
huge scale. Russia's NOTES are a
matter of deep suspicion to England.
I! What she will dare we cannot predict
but Great Britain purposes playing an
important role when the curtain rises
ON the final act in the Balkan drama.
..Meanti1ne the French Armenian
Relief Association is working in har-
n,ony with US, and we do not doubt
that the whole weight OF American
diplomacy will be thrown on the side
OF the suffering Christians. The sui
Z tan,s Introduction of Kurdish cavalry to
Europe Is the prelude to carnival OF
slaughter. The sultan cound not reform
the government of the Balkans. II he
wanted to do SO. he is helpless In the
wise of the Ottoman system, with It's
ht rde OF nominal dependents on the
rapace, who subsist on the sale of Of
fices in the afflicted peninsula. These
parasites will fight reform to the death
..Abdul Hamid himself is really in
sympathy with the Albanian rising
because 1t gives him an excuse to Of
fer the powers for not carrying out
I the proposed reforms in Macedonia
There Is, no cure for the situation ex-
cept the absolute expulsion Of the
Turks from Europe"
Fight in Okarida.
Berlin, April 3.--A dispatch from
Constantinople says that Bulgarian
{ bands and Turkish troops in Okarida
fought a battle and 1000 were killed
4 or wounded.