New-York tribune., 1903-02-17
BULGARIAN ACTION.
ARREST OF 4GIT4 TORS.
The Macedonian Situation
dOn'S --latest Ne1rs.

fsneosl 20 The Net York Tribune by French canle)
Downright: 1905 By The Tribune Association.l
London. Feb. IL l a. m.-The unknown factor
in the Eastern question is the Cars will The
arrest OF Macedonian conspirators in Bulgaria
is attributed to pressure from the Russian
Court. but there IS decisive proof that the
movement for the emancipation Of the Balkan
Peninsula. which received a great stimulus from
the festivities at Shirka and Sofia last year. has
been condemned in St. Petersburg The prfnci-
pality Of Bulgaria which was created by the
Congress Of Berlin remains nominally tribu
tary State Of the Turkish Empire under Euro
pean protection. and the ministers at Sofa are
coupelled TO restrain the activities OF the in
triguers while the Russian and Austrian pro-
posals for reform under consideration by
the powers. premature outbreak OF hostilf-
ties would create prejudice against the move
r7ent when the Sultan has rot been allowed an
opportunity for complying with the reasonable
demands Of the powers. The Bulgarian Minis
,ry is probably acting upon its own 1nitia-
tive in suppressng the recruiting of irregular
hands Of volunteers aid in locking up the
roisest aEitators but II is not yet clear that
either II or the Russian Government has
gone further than to deprive the Sultan of
r1ausible pretext for rejecting a pacific method
rf settling the Macedonian question. Tourists
ere buving tickets TO Constantinope without
ing n IN southeastern EUROPE
There is also studied air of incredulity when
.,sr 5n1or7atists or officials of the British Gov
eminent are questioned respecting the chances
- o recurrence of war in that section this
spring
ANY moment may now, It IS stated, see the
presentation of the Austro-Russian scheme for
the modification Of Macedonia In Vienna 1t
Is runlared that European congress will be
,onvoked by Austria and Russia should the
programme Of reforms not be honestly carried
out by Turkey The Daily Telegraph's'' corro-
spondent AT Constantinople says it is generally
believed there that the Bulgarian Government
viii be unable 10 prevent rising in the
Balkans in the spring A similar view seems to
prevail in St. Petersburg.
The Kings speech is no longer anticipated by
the leader writers assuming forecast OF What
il viii contain when the text is under their
elbows This is one Of the minor reforms Of the
new reign. the King preferring to deliver fresh
rather than a stale message. The text was
talked over at three official dinners given last
night by the Duke of Devonshire, Premier Bal
four and Lord Londonderry There was fun
muster Of government supporters at DeEonshlre
House al midnight at the trst political Tecep-
zion of -he session Social festivities were less
conspicuous on the Liberal side. although the
text of the Kings speech was in the hands OF
the leaders of the opposition. John Morley is
expected 10 take an active part in the debates
on the Irish Land bill, his work as biograEher or
Mr. Gladstone being well in hand. James Bryce
Who led the opposition attack upon the Educa-
ton bill will probably be- Sir Henry Campbell
Rsnrerman's chief lieutenant during the session
The Kings health has ceased to he the subject
Of club gossip since his drive from Charing
cross and journey to Wcolwich with the Queen
He is apparently in excellent health and shows
no signs of rigorous dieting
The success Of the Anglo German proceed
1rzs against Venezuela is now attributed in
Berlin to the firm attitude Of Sir Michael
Herbert.
The Venezuelan blue book which was issued
last night clears up one or Two points in regard
n the Venezuelan affair about which there mas
been a good deal Of misapprehension. While
Lord Lansdowne expressed in July his readiness
n confer with Germany with a view to joint
action the first suggestion for a joint naval
demonstration by England and Germany was
made by the German Ambassador in London
last August II was England, however, that
proposed that the allies should seize the Nenez-
llelan gunboats. Lord Lansdowne suggested
this plan in conversation with the German Am
hassador in November. l. n r