New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-27
VAR IN THE NE4R EAST.
4 ThoughtfuI Surrey of the Balkan
Situation.
rtIE BALKANS FROM WITHIN. BY Reginald
Won With two maps and l03 illustrations
from photographs. SyO. PIP. xviii, 40 Charles
Scribner's Sons


from photographs. Syo PIP. xviii 40 ChaFIos
scilbner's Sons
It is conceivable that few writer's have been
better equipped or have possessed better fac-i--
ties for studying recent and present conditions
II, the Balkans than III. Wyon. His travels IN
those regions have covered q period OF years,
and have given him a familiarity with the na-
tive tongues and an appreciatiVe understanding
of the national and personal characteristics rs
a newspaper correspondent he was out Tor
news" and the only obstacles he recognized
were physical ones. The mere fact that any
ding was forbidden. such taking q photo
graph or visiting a looted Macedonian village
was only an added incentive TO endeavor. He
acted first, and If detected asked permits
sion afterward. II it were refused before he
had ACCOMPLISHED his end he went ahead until
prevented by superior force. lie was IN close
touch with the insurgent committee. receiving
their bulletins regularly. and At the same time
he managed to keep on outwardly friendly
terms with so important Turkish funcdonary
as Hilmi Pacha. the Inspector Genera! Of Re-
forms"
The book has consequently all the charm of
narrative of adventures, not only when dealing
with his Investigations IL the insurgent prov
lnces which occupy the first two-hfths o. the
volume. but also in the remaining pages. which
tell Of his experiences within and on the Dor
ders of Montenegro and Albania, where peace
is ever on the edge Of strife ana the vendetta is
q cherished family prerogat.ye. There are few
countries which offer much Of human inter
est and novelty as those that lie or The Eastern
threshold Of the civilized world. The Balkan
peasant, as revealed in Mr. Wyons stories of
him, is hospitality persnnifed. and his full
blooded energy pure delight 10 al who feel
the letters OF Western conventionality. however
e1t.f
benefits. we apt 10 Judge these people
harshly at times" he says and to condemn
them for actions of which they In their lonely
homes know little nothing. A sojourn in
their midst Is d revelation" as Will the account
Of It be to those who follow the author into
those same lonely homes, and, seeing the people
lin their habit as they live" brough. to
fuller comprehension OF them and their rational
problems. The who understands the
Balkans does not exist" Count Bulow is report
ed 10 have said, and while he may be right
Mr.. Wyon says he is--no one has given better
impression Of approximating an understanding
than Mr. Wyon himself.
He regards Albania. rather than Macedonia as
the crux OF the situation; FOR when Macedonia
is granted her autonomy Albania will be sepa-
rated from Turkey and a standing menace to the
peace Of the Balkans. She is ready for an up
rising; arms and ammunition have been pouring
in there for year past. Who will suhdue her?
Turkey cannot, yet will resent the attempt of
any European power TO do so. and which one OF
them will covet the task OF the control of the
country when the task is accomplished? II a
power does undertake IT, the Sultan will have
10 decide whether his life ard throne arc worth
a war with Christian Europe The author con-
tends that Turkey viii not submit 10 nterfer-
in her affairs forever and that the limit Of
her patience is nearly reached. a Pacha, burst
ing with Indignation at some fresh indIgnity.
once remarked to him: How long does Europe
think we shall be her slave? We know what is
coming" he continued, passionately. I'VE must
leave Europe. But where are we to go? You
must give us somewhere 10 go. But when we
depart. we shall so on a wave Of blood" On the
other hand he found among the few enlightened
turks some who would gladly welcome a change
from the prevailing corruption and bad govern
mellt, but who clamor for the impossible-the
annexation OF Turkey by England but bv no
other power. King Alexander Of Servia whom
ne succeeded In interviewing by q feat of tour-
nalistic diplomacy less than two months before
his assassination, summed up the whole matter
OF European interference in pregnant sentence
mat holds as good to-day as when II was spoken
IL Europe believes Turkey incapable of govern
ing itself, he said energetically then the pro-
posed scheme OF reforms Is absurd and no good
can come from forcing elaborate measu,eg ~,
an admittedly inefficient government: ana ~ on
the other hand. Turkey is capable of ruling her
provinces properly the reforms are unnecos
sary."
when the end comes 1t will come suddenly
Inc laf1sh navy Is a farce, and the army like
'.ie country is dernoralized, and is kept so by
/ the insurgents, One OF their neatest tricks is