The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-15

eastern portion of Europe. nor was
American opinion consulted.
United States Interests Large.
It will be different this time. The
United States has interests OF a consid-
erabIy larger character than is gener-
ally imagined in Turkey. In both the
European and Asiatic portions Of the
Sultan's dominions there are large
number of American missionary sta
tions, as well as missionary property In
which much American money has been
invested.
Moreover. the diplomatic action last
year by the State Department at Wash
ington in behalf OF the treatment of the
Hebrew subjects of King Charles of
Roumania furnishes ample evidence that
the United States. now recognized as one
OF the foremost of the great powers Of
the world, cannot hold aloof and with
draw into it's own shell like a snail. but
is compelled to assume in the fullest
measure all its obligations and duties
as one Of the most potent factors in the
council OF nations.
The war in the east Of Europe which
is now on the eve OF breaking forth will
terminate. as it's predecessors. in con-
gress similar TO that OF 1873 at Berlin.
At this conference the United States
will not only occupy a seat. but Will
likewise play leading role
There are many indications o. the i'm
minence OF war in connection with the
Eastern Question. Macedonia constitut
ing the source OF danger.
The Bulgarian minister OF finance. at
his stay in Paris. did not hesitate to de-
clare in the most emphatic manner that
there would be a general rising in Mace
donia next month. NJ. Bakhmetien, the
Russian envoy in Sofa. who will be we'll
remembered at Washington. and who has
an American wife in the person of Miss
Beale of Washington. declared ten days
ago, when passing through Vienna. that
The outlook in Macedonia was infinitely
more threatening than il had been at
any time in the FIVE years that be had
spent in Bulgaria. besides giving utter
ance 10 the same opinion as that OF the
Bulgarian minister Of finance just quot
ed.
Buying Sinews CT War.
servia. hard pressed for money as she
is. and lowering on the verge OF bank
an Austrian firm for the immediate sup
ply Of A.. OOO. 900 rife cartridges. besides
other large supplies OF powder and war
material. In Turkey the sultan has
given orders for the suspension Of all
payments 20 civilian officials. SO that
every plaster that can be extorted from
the taxpayers can be devoted to the
army and TO the purchase OF war mas
terial.
Krupps has just received a first and
large installment in payment OF the guns
destined for the forts commanding the
Dardanelles The guns were contracted
for several years ago. They have been
held by the Krupps until now. owing
70 the failure Oh the part OF the Sub
lime Porte 10 furnish the necessary
financial guarantees.
The Sultan has likewise. in spite OF
deniaIs to the contrary. given directions
for the immediate mobilization Of an
army OF a quarter OF a million men in
Macedonia. This order in itself is cal
culated to provoke an immediate rising
on the part Of the Christian population
OF that Ottoman province.
The major portion or this army order
ed into Macedonia viii consist Of semi
DaIDdAOue lthAts LlbNknt rom the most
fanatic district Of Asiatic Turkey. and
may be relied upon 20 repeat in Mace
donia the atrocities perpetrated by "a
Turkish army OF the same kind in the
then Ottoman province OF Bulgaria in
1876. and which eliminated IN the
Russo Turkish war.
Russia's Open Preparations.
on the other hand. Russia is making
the most elaborate and undisguised prep
aratiOns for hostiIities on a large scale
A scheme for the rapid transport G
troops from Sebastopol and from Odes
10 the Bulgarian port OF Bourgas
been completed. The naval outlook
the Black Sea POINTS distinctly tows
Muscovite attempt 10 seize the
trance TO the Bosphorus and perh5
Constautinople by means OF a martin
coup de main"
Austria. too. is reported 20 be mobi
King her troops in view OF the situa
tion In the Balkans.
Nor Is the least disquieting feature o
the situation 10 be found in the fac
that the rival chiefs OF the Macedonian
revolutionary committee have at length
come 10 terms and have agreed TO act In
common. Boris Sarafof. Dr. Michael
owski and General ZOntchef have met,