New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-26
TURKEYS BAD FAITH.
REFORMS NOT IN FORCE.
Tar Collectors Busy-Trying to
Go0d Bulgaria Into Wdr.
,spe-ss to Tae cSe~-york Tribune by French cshie)
-.----==.=a.. Associa.lo,A

NerT-XCrk Tribune by French Cselel
ccopyright: 1905: BY The Tribune AssOciation)
salonica, via London. May 25.-The oldtime
Turkish tax collectors whom the reforuaers
promised to abolish are again making their
rounds. This is startling intelligence for many
reasons. The officials had agreed that the re-
forms should be in operation before the next
crop could be harvested and 1t was assumed
that the collectors had conducted their last
campaign Of extort.on. There may be pretexts
for the general arrest Of Bulgarians Of all sorts
and conditions throughout Macedonia. but there
IS no justification for the exaction Of portion
% the harvest before the tax gatherer or the
peasant can tell what its value will be, and
the resumption Of the old practice is contrary
10 the scheme OF reforms demanded by the
powers and guaranteed by the Turkish Govern
7rent. One lira from each man is required and
one piastre for each cl2e 0wo and three-quarters
pounds Of seed. If the Bulgarian farmer has
10 money an increased proportion Of seed Is
tsken from him and sold TO the peasants at a
lower price for cash. Long rows Of women, ad-
vancing like a skirnaish line, are sowing seed
,n the fields throughout Macedonia. The men
are either in prison in the mountains and
few are 10 be seen among the workers in the
fields.
While the taxes are levied before the seed IS
scattered The Turkish officials have no faith
IN gefherias q harvest this year Their exac-
-ions are proof that the reforms hare gone by
the board; that neither the powers nor the
Turkish ministers are interested in the scheme
IF pacifoation, and that attention is centred
upon the gathering war cloud. The swarming
Of troops into Macedonia continues. and the
ornaments are involving heavy expenditures,
which VIII break the Turks back even If peace
IS maintained. The disbandment OF the mobilized
forces cannot take place for year, and this
VIII reduce the government TO financial straits
and involve the necessity Of an attempt to in
rroduce reforms which already have been proved
irlpra cticable.
An outbreak Of war IS regarded by the Turks
ss the only solution Of the troublesome situa-
ton They expect to march over the mountains
into Sofa IS easily as they sauntered through
Northern Greece. Unprejudiced judges who
have a knowledge of both the armies and the
rbvsical conditions of the country are confident
that there must be three times many Turks
IS Bulgarians If the invaders can ever hope to
cross The successive mountain ranges and 10 en-
ter the Bulgarian capital
Tho Turks profess TO be ready 10 begin the
Ds~ The entrance 10 Austria is blocked with
troops There are 125,o00 soldiers in Macedonia
ready 70 march into Bulgaria, and as many
more bashfbazouks. who are eager 10 rise and
daughter the Christians
The Turkish Government has been goading
Bulgaria. as Greece was harassed not long ago.
into declaration Of hostilit!es. and the officials
affect 10 believe that the Servians and Greeks
viii unite with the Porte in campaign against
1he principally
There is g current but Incredible theory at
salonica that the authorities knew about the
plot against the Ottoman Bank long in ad-
vance, but permitted it TO be carried out for the
sake Of securing the support Of public opinion
against the Bulgarians. They have pronteo
by the opportunity for imprisoning without
protest from any quarter all able-bodied Bulga-
rlaas IN Macedonia who might rise IN reFoIt Il
there were a campaign against the principality.