Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1903-04-30

nanu. III me bold aud determined
men who are leading the movement
to overthrow the Turk carry ou,
their program there may be stirring
news from the Balkans within the
next few days. The press censor.
ship Is strictly enforced by the Turk.
ish authorities, and Is impossible 10
secure complete and accurate infor-
nation IN, regard ~ the sssnation.
IL seems TO be clear. however, that
the reform policy which Russia and
Austria compelled the Sultan to in.
aagarate in Macedonia aud Albania
has thus far proved wretched and
in some respects a ridiculous fail.
ure.
The Mohammedau Albanians have
as great hatred of the word reform
as the most thoroughgoing spoils
politician in the United States. The
Sultan sent two judges to Albania a
a few days ago 10 put the new pro-
gram into operation. His strenuous
subjects Immediately proceeded 10
discourage the whole reform scheme
by laying violent hands on Abdul
Hamid s agents The Macedonians
allege that the proposed reforms are
too mild TO produce any improve.
ment in the situation. The Alba.
mans vehemenily denounce the re-.
form policy as toodrastic and threat.
en- forcible resistance II the Sultan
attempts to improve the condition Of
his subjects in Albania. The situa.
ton would be ludicrous IL il were
not so serious. Abdul Humid, IL is
reported, has used money lavishly
in Albania, with the in,eution of
bribing the Albanian chiefs. and
thus persuading them 20 abandon
their attitude of perniciQus activity.
But while they are not too proud
to accept the Sultan's gold, they re.
fuse To stay bribed, or to advance
the cause of reform.
The Albanians are -trucnlent
people. Many Of them, probably
more than bali Of the population.
profess the Christian religion. The
remainder are Mohammedans, Of the
same blood aud speech as the Christ.
ians.., Tor their fellows who afe ant
followers Of the Prophet they
have profound contempt. Their
fanaticism, 10 IN said, mases tho Mo-
hammedan Albanians capable OF al
most inconceivable brutality and f..
rocity. Yet, according 10 the testi
mony ofa prelate of the Greek Church
In Macedonia, some Of the Macedo-
nian Christians who have taken up
arms against the Sultan are quite as
cruel In war as the Moslems of Al
bania and other Turkish provinces.
Greek inhabitants Of Macedonia re.
Gently sent q memorial To the Brit.
ish Government, in which they made
grave charges against the leaders
OF the revolutionary movement. al.
lcging that they terrorizcd the
Christian population and resorted
To the severest measures To coerce
Christians into taking part In the
uprising. Perhaps II the truth
were known II would appear that
both Mohammcdans aud those who
are not Of the faith Of Islam have
been guilty Of excesses since the
latest agitation eliminated few
weeks ago in intervention by Rus
sia and Austria. Tha. the present
situation cannot continue indefinite.
ly Is recognized by European states.
men. In speech in the British
House Of Commons last week Mr..
Balfour, the Prime Minister, made
no effort 10 conceal his apprehension
that the troubles In the Balkans
might ultimately menace the peace
OF Europe. Mr.. Baliour is an OPTIC
mist, however, and be cherishes
the hope that IL the situation becomes
so acute az 10 constitute q real dan.
ger to Europe, the Governments OF
Austria and Russia will bring the
Sultan to terms and compel the Bal
kan states to refrain from an attack
on Turkey. Mr.. Balfour stated in
the most positive terms that the
Governments OF Great Britain and
other powers would loyalty coop.
crate" with the Car and Emperor
Francis Joseph TO promote the eau &c
of peace in the Balkans, amcliorate
the condition Of the Suitan's Christ.
ian subjects. -.
Advices from St. Petersburg in
dicate that the Russian Government
is disposed to adhere TO its pacific
policy. Dispatches from Vienna as
sert that the Austro- Hungarian Gov
ernment will carry out 10 the letter
its agreement with Russia. On the
other hand, Vienna newspapers
which are usually well informed in
innate that the situation Is far more
serious than would appear from Of
fetal statements. Ii is apparently
| in the power OF the Sultan 10 nre.