The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-15
THE BALKAN WAR CLOUD.
Exactly What the Situation Is in
TINT Region.
Golfers Weekly.

Golfers Weekly.
For nearly year Turkey has been pour
ing troops into the Balkan region to put
down the lawlessness, amounting to insur-
rection and almost open rebellion, and to
institute administrative reforms which
Russia and Austria have insisted upon.
Early in May Turkey will have about ESQ.,
09O troops in Macedonia and Albania and
many will be on the Bulgarian frontier
Really state of war exists in Macedonia
and Albania, instigated. 1t is charged,
largely by Bulgarians. Oppression of the
Christians is the ostensible cause of the be-
ginning of the troubles. Macedonia really
wants to be free from Turkey. Albania,
with it's system of chief rule. dosen't want
reforms. Both are governed by Turkey.
Bulgaria, under the nominal control of
Turkey, but really Independent of her,
wants Turkey out of the Balkan peninsula,
or at least complete freedom.
Still further to compicate the situation is
Russia's ever-persistent desire to get an
excuse for swooping down on Constantine
pie. 1t is to beat Russia at this game that
Turkey has responded promptly to the de-,
mands to quell the uprisings. and that for
once in his life the Sultan is playing hon.
estly the reformer's role and is sending the
flower of his army 10 the Balkans to ac-
complish 1t.
The present trouble began early in 1892
The Macedonian committee wanted re-
forms in government similar to those the
Island of Crete enjoyed. They complained
that Christians were killed or treated bru-
tally, especially by the Albanians to the
west IF them. Macedonia is largely Chris
tian, and Russia urging the Sultan TO miti-
gate the almost unbearable sufferings of
the Christians there. Austria joined in the
request and notified the insurrectionary
provinces that no rebellion amounting to a
disturbance of the present political situa
ton would be tolerated.
The Austrian government also notified
the Sultan that reforms, based on human
ity and Justice solely. must be undertaken
Cruelty and pillaging and massacre. Aus
tria said, would not be tolerated.
In September last Bulgarians living in the
donia arose Turkish troops shot them
down right and left. Turkey accused Bull
garia of stirring up the trouble. Bulgaria
denied Ii and asked the leading govern
ments to make Turkey grant reforms. At
once what might be called guerrilla fighting
began. 1t has continued ever since. VIII
lagos have been burned and massacres
have been numerous; at times as many as
two hundred men have been killed.
Turkey is trying to checkmate any
future move against her by Russia. The
instigated by the Sultan so as to make a
show of playing the reformer. The Mace
DOMAINS. on the other hand. may have
Killed off the Christians themselves to get
Russia mixed up in the matter, to help
them secure their freedom
The reforms that the Sultan insists upon
are that Christians snail De protected, that
Turkish gendarmerie shall police Mace
donna and Albania, that the civil tribunals
shall be half Christian and half Mosem;
that Turkish inspector generals and COM
missioners of control shall rule.
Turkeys army is one Of the best-equip-
ped and best drilled in the world. The fact
that the Turk is still In Europe, despite
centuries of effort to Gust him. proves this.
The regular army consists of 100000 men.
With the reserves 1t amounts to 1,500. COO
men, What il can do was shown in its
mastery work in the recent war with
Greece. Fanaticism is the inspiration of
every man in 1t.
The great political danger now is that
| the Bulgarian frontier may be crossed by
| the Turks. That would bring Russia
| actively into the situation, as soon as the
| troubles in China were disposed of.
| The novel point in the Balkan situation
| Is that the Sultan Is really trying TO in
| stitute necessary political reforms in Mace
| donna, which really wants. as for four
| hundred years she has wanted. independ-
| ence and Albania. which wants to be let
| alone: and all this ostensibly is in behalf
| of more humane and more just treatment
| of Christians. Truly. marvellous change
| since the Armenians were massacred by
| the hundreds and thousands few years
ago!