Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1905-12-27

that his promises had not been re-
deemed; ever the sultan expressed deep
regret to hear this strange report,
averred reforms had been set on foot,
laid the blame on incompetent and dis
honest officials; then made easy prom
ises that a satisfactory state of affairs
would soon reign in the territory un-
der discussion. The representatives of
various governments knew they were
being played with, finally it was de-
cided to make an impressive demon
stration in Turkish waters. What the
result will be in the, end is hard to-
prophesy, the willy sultan, in spite of
his tottering empire, so often proves
master of the game. ~
w. E. Curtis, writing in the Chicago
Record-Herald, gives this summary of
the scheme of reform, and the extent
to which carried out: I'm May, 1903,
the powers presented new plan of re-
form, which was very comprehensive
and was intended to prepare the way
for Macedonian autonomy. 1t provided
for a corps of foreign officials for the
administration Of the finances and po-
lice; for foreign judges. and other civil
and judicial functionaries, to be select
ed by Russia, Austria and Germany;
the whole system to be under the di-
rection OF q German governor, with a
Turkish inspector general as his chief
of staff, who would report to the grand
vizier of the Ottoman empire at Con-
stant;nople and be the connecting link
between the sultan and his province,
and the visible representative of Turk
ishf sovereignty. The inspector general,
however, to have no authority except
to watch the proceedings of the for
eign officials and make such reports as
he thought necessary to his master at
Constantinople. The tashi-bazouks and
all other Mahommedan soldiers to be
withdrawn and the country to be po-
Iced by native gendarmes, Offered by
foreigners. The chief Of police to be q
foreigner and all the magistrates ex-
cept those of the lowest grade (who
might be selected from the natives) to
be foreigners. The taxes to be assessed
and collected by natives under foreign
supervision, and the. entire proceeds
to be expended for local purposes
roads, schools and other internal i'm
provements, after paying the expenses
of government. The courts to be re-
organized, q universal scheme of pub
lie instruction to be introduced, politi-
cal Offenders to be pardoned, and local
or Turkish officials who had been
guilty of atrocities to be tried and
punished" 55:5 .s.:~z
'"The sultan accepted all this and 4.
portion Of the reforms have already
Leen adopted. But they are compare
lively Insignificant ard have Afforded
very little relief to the people, Ger
many, Austria and Russia have de-.
tailed the military, civil and judicial
officers required by the reorganization
plans, but they have not been allowed
to exercise authority. and Macedonia
is still under the tyranny OF the Turk
ish officials. with ba7 talions of bashi-
bazouks to enforce their authority
.s Let us consider the extent and char
.acter OF the Ottoman empire, that. we
may hetter understand the meaning of
the phrases The yMaced onian Cues
tom and the threatened Storm In
the Balkans, Z phrases that persistent-
Il reclr Ia uewspap per head Hines. The