Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-02-11

scale from the usual spring disturbances,
and an opening up of questions that may
lead to a struggle the limits and issues
of which a wise man will not pretend to
forecast"
The preparation of the Macedonian
revolutionary committee for a general
rising in the spring are so extensive that
it is impossible to keep them secret, and
it is impossible to Offset them except
by large army and campaign arrange
ments.
1t is only necessary to point out the
main features of the situation in order
to demonstrate the imminence of the
peril. The Sultan's atrocious misgov-
eminent of Macedonia, despite all warn
ings and protests, has at last aroused
both the Christian and Ottoman popula-
tons to revolt. The Bulgarian govern
ment has given formal assurances that it
will do everything in its power to avoid
interference in the coming quarrel 1t is
quite beyond its power, as all concerned
know, to prevent the Bulgarian people
from crossing the frontier and making
common cause with the Macedonian rev.
olutionists.
Servia also processes its intention to
ment is strong enough to keep the coun-
try long out of the field after the fight
ing begins.
Mistake of European Concert.
1t win naturally be inquired how it
happens that the European concert,
which especially champions the rights
of the Macedonian Christians, has allow
ed the crisis to reach a point of such
danger that now it is probably too late
to avert an outbreak of the much-dreaded
confagration.
1t would have been much better, rs the
Times observes, if Europe had taken the
whole population under its protection in
stead of only the Christians, inasmucn
as the Ottomans are suffering equally
from the atrocious misrule of the cor
rupt governing class.
The concert of Europe, as has been
many times demonstrated with appalling
consequences, is useless machine for
any emergency requiring prompt action.
Moreover, Abdul Hamid has successfully
resisted its efforts more than once, even
when it was unanimously in earnest. 1t
is almost hopeless to attempt to wiring
adequate concessions from him now in
time to induce the Macedonins to aban-
don their revolutionary program.
1t is clear that this is fully understood
by the powers proposing these reforms,
but Russia and Austria have already be-
gun massing troops on the frontier for n
campaign which they consider inevitable
early in the spring.
The Sultan himself is by no means
idle. He is preparing to put down in
his usual sa age fashion any rebellion
in his dominons. There is no doubt of
the result. however. If while struggling
with the revolving provinces. Abdul
Hamid is confronted by the troops CT
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? \ few
wears ago it Id have been the signal
for a general European war. This is
less probable to-day but to again quote
the Times, a wise man will not pretend
to forecast the limits and issues of the
questions which would be opened up.
Great Britain might now content ber-
self with full sovereignty in Egypt and
the Nile valley All the powers would
strenuously oppose her further aggran-
dizement but whai about the demands
Germany and France would certainly
make for share in the Turks spOlia-
tiOnI