New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-28
NEAR EAST CONDITIONS.
Trouble Breeding in Italy-American
Officials Vie1CS.

Rome. Feb 27.-The situation in the Balkans.
with which Russia, Italy and Austria are so
closely connected, although It has apparently i'm
proved in the last few days. still occasions con-
siderable anxiety. Boris Sarafof and Ricciott
Garibaldi have agreed a plan which may re-
suit in a general rising in the Balkans. A meeting
of all the Balkan leaders has been Professionally
arranged to take place in Venice about the end
OF March. The possibility Of arbitration was
also discussed by Sarafoff and Garibaldi. The
latter proposed to sound the United States as
TO whether or not that country would be willing
to act in the capacity of arbitrator.
Should arbitration or the other arrangements
suggested for a peaceful settlement Of the
threatened trouble fail. general revolution
seems inevitable. and Garibaldi is already Sc
cretly preparing n body OF volunteers. each
member Of which Will be equipped with arms,
1000 rounds of cartridges and food for month.
To Garibaldi offered the general direction
of the Macedonian movement, but he refused it
on the ground that he thought IT better to leave
the leadership to some man directly interested
in Macedonia. Gariba,di is asking all his friends
to contribute funds to the cause.
Confidential and official information received
here from Austria points to the fact that the
government is making extensive preparations to
check any movements It's southeastern from
tiers, where reinforcements amounting to 10000
men have been centred. The proprietors OF
theatres and other large buildings in that part
OK the country have been warned that their
premises may be seized for military purposes.
It is now known that negotiations are going
on between Russia and Italy with regard to
the Balkans. Signor TittcEi. the italian Foreign
Minister. alluded to these exchanges in the
Chamber OF Deputies on February %. when he
protested against the anti-Russian manifesto
lions in Italy.
Paris. Feb. 2T.-An American official who for
two years had been studying the conditions In
the Balkans has arrived at Paris, and to-day
made interesting statement on the situation.
He said:
She has been informed by the powers that even
if she does engage In hostilities she will gain
absolutely result therefrom, and even may
suffer from military occupation by the powers,
and that, perhaps war may result in the separa-
ton of Macedonia from the Turkish Empire. II
is true that Turkey is sending achievements to
Macedonia but this is due to the prospect Of an
outbreak Of another instruction and possible
interference on the part OF Bulgaria now that
Russia is occupied with Japan, but the Sultan
has everything to lose and little to gain by
war, and If il comes you may depend upon 1t
that Bulgaria will be the aggressor.
Should war come. l am satisfied that Bull
garia will be beaten. Operating in the noun
regiment, the Bulgarians and insurgents have
distinct advantage, but the Turkish troops
can sweep around toward Sofia, where the COun-
try is level Bulgaria says she is able 10 put
100000 men in the field The Turks quickly
throw double that number into Macedonia. and
reinforce them. IL necessary.
It has been said that Russia and Turkey are
discussing the question of the passage Of the
Dardanees by the Russian Black Sea fleet.
Turkey would not give her consent. il asked.
unless size gained some concession in the Bal
kans such as dealing with Bulgaria as she saw
fit But Russia could not make such a conces-
sion, because she would thereby forfeit the pref
erential position which she and Austria hold
I'm consequence of having been designated by
the powers TO act their representatives in
dealing with the Balkan question Moreover
Russia understands that II she ceased TO be a
representative OF the powers other powers would
intervene.
Granting that r Issla may take this risk and
induce Turkey to permit the passage OF her
fleet this would be a violation Of the Berlin
Treaty, Of which Great Britain Is a siRnatory
power 1t would mean, furthermore. that Tur-
key and Russia had entered into an under
standing which might be interpreted bring
ing into play the Anglo-Japanese alliance Aside
from this latter point there is hardly any ques-
ing the Suez Canal and the Straits OF Gibraltar
The Black Sea feet has been greatly over
rated. II was examined short time ago by
American naval officer. He reported that II was
not in good condition. and that in any event Il
was OF no for oversee operations. In conSe-
uuence OF the small coal capacity OF the vessels
composing It, The latter had been constructed
simply for operations in the Black Sea. and not
for service I'm the Far East Their bunkers ara
entirely Inadequate TO permit them TO make a
trip to China, or to steam any long distance.