Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-02-11

much dreaded c0nhagrati0n. 1t would
have been much better, as the Times
observes, If Europe had taken the
whole population under its protection,
instead Of only the Christians, mas
much as the Ottomans are suffering
equally from the atrocious misrule of
the corrupt governing class.
1t would be unfair, perhaps, to ques1
tion the sincerity Of the efforts which
Russia and Austria, as the powers
chiefly concerned, are now making to
avert the crisis. None know better
than the authorities Of those powers
how futile at this late day must be the
measures on which they have agreed.
It has been decided to press upon the
sultan certain reforms, the principal
being the appointment Of a Christian
governor in Macedonia, with practi-
cally full powers. This concession, II
1t could be offered to Macedonia as an
accomplished fact, even at this late
day, might avert revolution.
The concert of Europe, as has been
many times demonstrated with appall-
ing consequences Is useless machine
for any emergency requiring prompt
action. Moreover, Abdul Hamid has
successfully resisted It's efforts more
than once, even when 1t was unan-
imously in earnest. It is almost hope
less to attempt to wiring adequate con-
cessions from him noW in time to in
duce the Macedonians to abandon
their revolutionary programme.
It is clear that this is fully UNDER
stood by the powers proposing these
reforms, but Russia and Austria have
already begun massing troops on the
frontier for campaign which they
consider inevitable early in the spring.
The only object, apparently, Of the
recent announcement Of the scheme Of
reforms by Count Lamsdorff, the Rus
sion foreign minister, Is to throw the
onus and blame for war upon Turkey,
This is rather a fiimsy attempt to
evade responsibility. There has been
ample warning Of the present crisis.
Why were not the proposed reforms
forced upon the sultan's acceptance
months ago when they would have
served to avert the now almost inevi-
table revolution? Russia will certain
ly be accused in the present situation
of permitting the long-dreaded crisis
in the near East to rise in revenge
for the temporary check to her Asiatic
ambitions by the Anglo-Japanese al
lance.
There is no doubt that the czar will
endeavor to divide the spoils Of war
with Austria alone. Russian troops
are now massing along the Roumanian
frontier. In all probability they will
strike at once for Constantinople,
Austria is pouring troops into Bosnia,
ready to advance at a days notice
through the Sandjak of Novi-Bazar.
The sultan himself is by no means
idle. He is preparing to. put down in
his usual savage fashion any rebellion
in his dominions. There Is no doubt
Of the result, however. If, while strug-
Cling with the revolving provinces,
Abdul Hamid is confronted by the
troops of Russia and Austria, the Turk
will at. last be driven out Of Europe.
But what will be the effect Of Rus
sian seizure Of Constantinople? A few
years ago 1t would have been the sig
nal for a general European war. This
is less probable today, but to again
quote the Times, a wise man will not
pretend to forecast the limits and is
sues Of the questions which would be
opened up. Great Britain might now
content herself with full sovereignty In
Egypt and the Nile valley. All the
powers would strenuously oppose her
further aggrandizement but what
about the demands Germany and
France would centainly make for a
share in the Turks spoliation ?-Lon-
don cable, February s.