The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-15
BALKAN SITUATION.
Ii II Confusing I'm Both Internal and
External Aspects.

External Aspects.
Minneapolis, Journal.
A Constantinople dispatch states that the
long-expected general instruction OF the
European provinces Of Turkey will be pro-
claimed by the Macedonian committee
April 20.
This Macedonian committee has succeed
ed, with the help OF the neighboring Ser
VANS and Bulgarians. In putting the Bal
kan peninsula in very confused and con-
fusing condition, Russia contributing, as
usual. to the confusion through intrigue
and actual war material. Whether the
Macedonian committee will issue the proc
lamation promised depends upon the celer-
ity with which Turkey can mass troops in
the west in the Monastir district and the
whole region through which the Mitrovitza
& Salonika Railway runs. Austria, in the
event of the precipitation of general in
surrection. is prepared to guard Bosnia and
Herzegovinia. which were made over to
her by the Berlin treaty In 1878. Austria,
with Russia, brought on the threatening
state of affairs in the Balkan peninsula by
notifying the Sultan to reform the disorder
ly administration OF his European prov
inoes. knowing that such demand has often
been made before, and that every time the
Sultan has made some show OF compliance
there has been an insurrectionary outbreak:
In 1877 the powers demands precipitated
the Russo-Turkish war. IL a general in
surrection is now declared Austria and
Russia must bear the responsibility of the
In Turkey and another plucking Of Turkey
or the partition of European Turkey.
-, Before this takes place, however. it is
likely that Turkey will give the interfering
powers the toughest kind of fight, for she
has large and admirably drilled army OF
$4,000 men on peace footing. IL the con-
o.. u
it's hands 1t will hold back Russia and Aus
tria, who started the brigandage and prac-
teal state Of war In the districts of Alba
MIA, Monastir and Macedonia. The Moham-
medan subjects of the Sultan are in arms
against the execution OF any reforms by
their master under the mandate Of the pow
tians. while the Christian subjects are
slaughtering the Mohammedan subjects.
Great Britain does not want another war
over the Eastern question. She has had
enough of war, and has just, after much
trouble, settled the boundaries Of her Alden
territory with Turkey by making a show Of
force, and her Foreign ONCE recently adj
dressed note to Austria and Russia giving
them a gentle caution not to proceed too
far in fooling with the Turk, so that the
peace of Europe may be preserved.
If the Macedonian committee issues it's
proclamation the concert OF Europe viii
have to decide quickly what IL will do The
expenses of the instruction In Macedonia
are largely financed by the Pan-Slavist
revolutionary committees and the whole
Slavic population expect Russia to inter-
fere in their. behalf as against Turkey. In
case they are pressed closely by the Turks.
Russia has several times interfered In Tur-
key on the ground OF ethnic affinity with
the Slavs. This was the motive for her in
reference in lS7-7s, which cost her about
500. 900 900. while she lost three-fourths the
spoils of war she had acquired through the
interference of the other European powers,
who wanted some OF the plumber them
selves, and took it.
The Russian consul Cherbina, who was
recently shot at Mitrovitza. had previously
said that If he was shot Turkeys extinc-
ton Is certain" referring to probable Eu-
ropean Intervention. In view of the critical
condition of affairs in the Balkan districts.
The insurgents have taken the consuls
declaration as indicating sure help from
Russia If the general instruction takes
place, IL will be an easy prey to the Turks,
IL Europe does not interfere for they have
no leader worthy of the name. and their
ments Of band of brigands and a miscel-
troops under Russian officers.
II the concert OF Europe" wants 10
stave off war IL may do so for a time by
giving the Turk the alternative of playing
administrative reforms or fighting the
whole combination and counting partition
The Turk submitted TO the Judgment OF
the powers In 1873 and lost some 1000
square miles of territory. and. by submit
ting to the same judgment some years
later, he saw Crete passing out of his con-
troll to the administration of the powers.
This process will continue until the Turk
ish power in Europe Is wiped out.