New-York tribune., 1905-11-24
A TrRKTSH CRISIS.

Turkish affairs in relation to Macedonia ap-
pear to be close to crisis For some weeks
the Porte has been resisting the demands OF
the six great powers for joint control OF the
finances OF Macedonia, and has been playing
the usual tricks in the diplomatic game. Efforts
have been made to engender dissensions among
the powers 1t has been hinted that the other
powers were jeal lous of the appointment of an
Austrian admiral to command the allied fleet
and that they would not let Austria reap any
advantages from the proposed c0ercive action;
also. that Germany would not stay with the
other powers far as to use force against
the Ottoman Empire, with which the German
Emperor has been particularly friendly. Doubt
less Turkish hopes have run high that in some
such way the concert of Europe" would De
broken up in discord But such has not been
the case, and apparently will not be. The
powers are proceeding inexorably with their
naval demonstration against Turkey and the
latter must yield voluntarily Or be compelled
to do so by military force, 1t is to be noted
that the impression has not ceased to prevail
that it will yield at the last momeRt, and that
that impression is particularly strong at the
German Embassy at Constantinople
If Turkey does yield the dominion of the
Sultan in Europe will be brought close to the
vanishing point Financial control of Mace
donia means that the Ottoman sovereignty
shadow. The Sultan will remain little more
than Suzeran, as he used to be over Egypt
and Bulgaria. or perhaps might say as
he still claims to be over those countries. Now
Macedonia comprises three of the eight vilayets
of Turkey in Europe. namely, SaiOnica, Mon
astir and Kossovo These have an area Of
37,210 square miles, out of a total of only
$3.50 in the whole country and a population
of 3,017, 800, out of n total of 6,13020O That
is to say, the Sultan is to be deprived of much
more than half Of the area and practically
half of the population of his empire in Europe.
Moreover his empire will be divided in twain,
Albania at the west being separated by Mac
edonia from Adrianople and Constantinople in
the east. If Lord Lansdownes proposition
should be adopted, and financial control be
established over AdranOple also, 1892 more
square miles and 102S290 more inhabitants
would be taken from the Sultan.
OF the ability of the powers to enforce their
demands there can, of course, be no doubt
The Turkish navy and the forts of the Darda-
neIles could scarcely for day resist the united
fleet that is moving against them, and it seems
scarcely credible that any attempt at resist
ance will be made. There is talk of a general
uprising of the Mahometan population against
the Christians and the Porte is said TO be
warning the powers that if they proceed fur
ther such a movement may begin and get be-
yond the ability Of the Turkish government to
suppress it, That is vain threat 1t is well
known that the Turkish government could quell
or could prevent any such uprising if it wished
to do so; wherefore if one occurs the Porte
will certainly be held fully responsible for it
and for all its consequences. The Porte must
know that and must know too, that while it's
large and gallant army might make a stubborn
resistance to the armies of united Europe there
could be but one ending to such a struggle
namely, one that would put the last remnants
of Turkish rule east of the B0sporus 1t is
not to be expected that the Turk will now
invite so sure fate but rather that he will
at the last moment yield as he has hitherto
done-though that may not be until the prows
of hostile warships appear where the narrow
ling Sympegades whiten the cliffs of PropoDtis
with sDray"