The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1905-11-24
ANOTHER GREAT
WAR MAY BE
RESULT
Of Demonstration by IHtema>
tiOnal Fleet Against Ports
of Turkey.

The New Orleans Picayune of yes
terday, discussing the present condi-
tion Of affairs in Turkey, has the fol
lowing TO say:
What was clearly intended as a
peaceable demonstration by an inter
national fleet against one OF. more Tur-
hsh ports to enforce the demands
Of the powers with respect to Mace
donia may yet prove the Inaugural
fion Of another great war, the result
of which, while in no doubt as far as
Turkeys cate is concerned. may have
the most disagreeable and serious con-
sequences for Europe. Yesterday the
Sultan delivered to the Austrian am
bassador at COnstantinODle the final
reply Of MS government to the de-
mands of the powers that the financial
administration of Macedonia be turn
ed over to representatives Of the com
bined European governments. The
reply was a fiat refusal explaining that
Turkish public opinion was unalter.
ably opposed to such surrender of
Turkeys rights in Macedonia. The
Sultan however, offered to continue
Tor Two years the existing situation in
tue ulDultuC province
A small international fleet is assem-
bled at Athens prepared to sail for
Turkish port, and the commanders are
simply awaiting for orders from their
representative governments. Now that
the Sultan's reply has been received.
orders win no doubt be issued to the
fleet to proceed to institute a block
ade Of the Turkish ports it has been
determined to do so as a cOercive meas
ure. tt is understood that the inter
national fleet viii be commanded oy
an Austrian admiral
It is reported from ConstantinODle
that the Turkish government may de-
oermine to resist the demands of the
powers by force if necessary. The
Sultan realizes that the new demands
with respect TO Macedonia are merely
pretexts. and that the real purpose Of
the powers is to compel the ultimate
withdrawal Of Turkish rule from
southern Europe. While the Sultan
has tempOrized as long as possible.
and has also yielded as much as he
dared from time to time. it has al
ways been well understood that when
the powers have agreed to make the
final move, namely, to force Turkey
from Europe altogether, the Turk
would turn up his enemies and his
final withdrawal beyond the Bosphor
us would be signalized bv
war that the parties concerned would
have a good cause to remember. Wheth-
er or not the powers have resolved
chat the time has come TO carry the
long-cherished programme into execu-
ton remains to be seen. Evidently
the Porte fears that such a resolve
has been taken, as he is seriously
thinking Of fighting rather than yield
ing.
While there could not be a moments
doubt Of the outcome of a war he
tween Turkey and the powers, there
Is general disposition to shrink from
the contemplation Of what is likely 10
be the cost of victory, While Tur-
key has no navy worthy Of the name.
she has a splendid army Of no insig-
nifcant size This army is well
equipped. and the Turkish infantry
has no superior I'm the world. The
Turk has a reputation as a ightina
man which has endured the test Of
many centuries, and there is no evi
dence whatever that DE has lost any
Of his old-time valOr He VIII be driv-
en- out Of Europe finally beyond
doubt. because he belongs to a bvgone
age, but his driving out win be
bloody epoch in history. unless the
world has seriously mistaken the Of
tOman character.