The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-06-19

XXVX La Is wv
\ MACEDONIA
BY LORD EDGAR NEWTON
lTr1T appears useless and somewhat
| INJh unreasonable to lay tho whole
laAkAJ blame for the present state OF
| RdENNSI terror In Mncedonlh upon tho
SSsiY@2sJ Turkish government.
The sins OF shat government arc I'M
| Known to any man who, In HID
senses can suppose that the Turks,
Under present auspices, Will ever
consent to the Introduction OF real re-
forms as we understand them? It Is con-
ceivable that they might do SO in tie
eleventh hour under extreme pressure,
but what signs are there OF any extreme
pressure being exercised? 4
Tho whole force and influence OF the
Turkish government as at present con-
stituted, will always be arrhyed against
any serious charge because 1t realizes
THAT such a. change implies It's own sup
preston. 1t is hopeless to attempt to
persuade the official Turks that genuine
reforms in the European provinces are
not only In the Turkish interest. but
constitute the only chance OF keeping
them In their possession. Genuine reform
to them inplie sforeign control, and they
believe that when once foreign control
Is established their own rule must come
to an end, Z
For this reason. therefore, the Sultan
has so far consistently and successfully,
from his own point of view, obstructed
all attempts at real reform in Mace-
dona. .sE
Why, indeed. should he suppose that
Europe Is In earnest?
as The task OF convincing him has been
entrusted. Of all countries. to Russia and
Austria. Can anyone mention an In
stance where either Of these Powers has
shown the slightest disposition or incli-
nation to bring about genuine reforms In
Turkey y b NJ
Everyone must know by this time that
1t has been the undertaking policy Of
Russia. a t all events. to keep Turkey In
as weak and unsound a condition as pos
sible. AS regards Macedonia, everyone,
too knows that one, If not both, Of these
countries has every Intention Of seeking
accessions Of territory there when the
breaking up OF the Turkish empire in
Europe takes place. And. In face OF this
elementary fact. the governments of the
great Powers profess to believe In a sat:
isfactory solution of the Macedonian diff
ficulty.
II. however, this optimistic view pre-
walls In Europe, there 1t little trace Of It
to be found In the Balkan Peninsula.
During the course OF q fairly extensive
tour in European Turkey last month I
never came across single independent
person who did not scoff at the idea OF
Austria and Russia being In earnest.
Why should they be? asked practical
ments is not dictated by sentiment; they
have, 1t Is true, no particular love for
the Turk. but they. have even less for
the growing nationalities OF the near
East; they have every intention of help
Ing themselves largely when the general
scramble for territory takes place. and
the very last thing they desire is that
young and vigorous states should bar
their way to the Mediterranean or that
the Turkish administration should be inn
proved to such an extent as to render
foreign Interference unnecessary.
II any doubt Is still felt as to their
sincerity 1t Is only necessary to consider
what has been effected since the adoption
of the Muerzsteg programme
That scheme was adopted In Novem Der.
1903, and what Is there to show for It?
Two assessors who have never left salo-
nika. who confine their energies to- visit
ing Hilml Pasha three times week and
WHO scarcely make any attempt to con-
ceal their apathy and helplessness.
1t Is true that General Giorgis and the
international military delegates have at
last started from Constantinople after
spending no less than three and a. half
months there in endeavoring to ascertain
the exact nature OF their functions. but
even now. it is not clear that they are
going to be allowed free hand. and the
preposterous delay to which these off,
GERS have been subjected is In itself
reflection on Aus Russian sincerity.
Had the two governments meant tusi-
ness the three and a half months would
have been reduced to forty-eight hours.
The plain truth Is that there is only
one Power which has been In earnest
right along. and that is England. 1t Is
from England that all real useful sug-
been for the efforts Of Lord Lansdowne
and Sir Nicholas O'Conor things would
look less promising than they do at pres
ent.
With the exception of France we APP
pear to be the only country which has
been absolutely uninfiuenced by selfish
considerations. Germany has ostenta-
.tiously held aloof and has possibly limited
occasionally to the Porte that there is
no necessity for hurry. The desire of
Germany to stand well with the Sultan
is yell known. and If the result Of the
present proceedings is the arrival of Aus
tria at Salonka, that only means that
ultimately salonika Will in all probability
become a German port.
1T is. however, rather unfortunate that
the Bulgarians In Macedonia think that
Engand will como to their assistance lei
things go wrong conviction tostered by
Of parliamentary state
ments, by the declarations OF irrespon-
sble persons and even by the action of
British charitable societies. whose bene-