The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-19
The Balkan Dynamite.

rhr,1sh Russian sources 1t is cabled
that England has notified the sultan that,
If he sends troops into Arabia, she VIII
occupy every port on the Red sea. such
a message to Englands old ally, to whom
English capitalists have lent large amounts
Of money, and through whom they have
lost many millions, is IN striking contrast
with the apparent affection for Turkey
displayed by the British government IN
1886 and In 1878, when Disraelt sent
British fleet through the Dardanelles to
halt the Russian army, which had come 80
near Constantinople that the dome OF ST.
sophta was seen by the Russian officers.
england saved Turkey from disintegra-
ton then, but she does not seem to be so
anxious to assume responsibility now,
when Russia and Austria have taken the
initiative in demanding such administra-
tive reforms in ever turbulent and mis-
soverned Macedonia as will surely place
that province among the number OF au-
tonomous states. The two powers are
playing the old game Of pretending to be
very anxious to suppress the activities CT
the Michaelovski-Sarafoff revolutionary
committee. representing the Macedonian
revolutionists and their Bulgarian SYM
pathizers and much is said about the
agreement by Russia and Austria in 1897
to prevent any alteration in the territorial
status quo in the Balkan peninsula, but,
as matter Of fact the Turkish govern
ment has distributed strong military
force along the Bulgarian frontier and has
arranged to mobilize quarter Of a million
troops. has Suspended payments to civilian
officials in order to utilize every piastre
for military purposes, and is resuming the
fortification Of the Dardanelles with heavy,
modern Krupp guns. The Russian gov
eminent is making. undisguised prepare
the Black sea. Austria is convergins
troops upon her eastern boundary; the
Bulgarian army, notwithstanding that
Russia has ordered that principality to
keep quiet and make no menace against
Turkey, is ready to march into Macedonia
to help any insurrectionary move
ment which may break out
ucTc dtE lHO lullSS "JliCIl liey pre-
cpitate a conflict A demand by Russia
and Austria for reforms in Macedonia.
even Of a semi autonomous allure, backed
by threat. will be resisted by the sultan,
who knows that if he grants the reform he
will be permitting the entrance of an in
eXorable wedge. destructive Of his grip on
the province. If he proceeds to discipline
Macedonia. as he did with reference to
Bulgaria a quarter Of century ago, the
Bulgarians will flock over their border to
help their: co-religionists and will ge.
whipped by the Turks, who are infinitely
the best fighters, and then Russia will 60
in to protect the brother slav as she did
In 1S77-7S, and, when she has whipped
the Turk at an enormous expense, a
congress of the powers will be called to re-
construct the map of southeastern Europe
and there will be good pickings for
them and a probability that the Turk will
find it decidedly inconvenient to linger any
longer in Europe.
On the other hand, if all the powers
unite in demanding reforms in Macedonia
and give the sultan to understand that. il
he resists, he will have to fight the com
bination, he may pledge reform and stave
off a conflict for few years. England
long the most ostentatious in it's avowals
of friendship for Turkey, has aided most
conspicuously in the dismem berment oil
the Ottoman empire, which is perilousy
near the verge of ruin. So long as British
statesmena thought that British interests
demanded the maintenance Of the Turkish
power they coddled the Turk who will moi
and cannot reform himself. Administra
tive reforms will have to be imposed by
the use Of force, and the use of force
means the disappears Of Turkish power
from southeastern Europe. The talk Of
reform in Turkey by European statesmen
has been heard ever since the peace 81
1856, after the costly Crimean war, but il
has been an empty pretense. The only
reform which has been accomplished ha.
taken place in the provinces wrested from
Turkey.