The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1905-11-28
SULTAN DEFlES POWERS
Threat That Ports VIII Be Seized
Doesn't Move Him.
international FIees at tho PIraeus Il
Ready to Carry Out Plan Of
the Europeans.

Constantinople, Turkey. Tile Sultan
has refused to comply with the de-
mands of the Powers regarding Mace
donna. This decision was taken at a
council Of the Ministers, the Sultan
approving, and a reply to this effect
was sent to Baron de Calico, the Aus
trian Ambassador, who as dean Of the
Diplomatic Corps, had presented the
joint proposals Of the Powers.
1t Is understood that the Porte seEiote
demurs to the scheme as an interfer-
ence with the Suitan's prerogatives and
as EcaIcula ted. ito offend public opinion,
which would certainly oppose it.
1t is further stated that the Porte
will not sanction an extension Of the
mandates OF the foreign agents, who
are experimenting the reforms in
Macedonia, beyond two years.
Athens, Greece.-The Warships Sc
Iected by the Powers to make a dem
. onstrati0n against Turkey have ar.
rived at the Piraeus. The usual sa-
lutes and visits were exchanged by
their commanders and the Greek au.
thorities. The ships are awaiting fur
ther orders.
London, England. AS foresh0wn, the
Sultan, according to Oonstant1nople
dispatches, has finally rejected the de-
mands of the Powers, and the COM
bined fleets now at the Piraeus under
Admiral Won Nipper Of the Austrian
Navy will presumably forthwith carry
out measures which are supposed to be
intended to bring the Turk to his
knees. OF the effectiveness Of their
action doubt is widely expressed in
Europe, although their course of ac-
ton as yet can only be speculated
upon.
Among the other difficulties to be
foreSeen in blockading the Dardanelles,
assuming that such a step is part OF
the international scheme, is the lack OF
homOgeneity among the vessels Of the
combined fleet. The British cruiser
Lancaster is the fastest among them,
she having speed Of twenty -four
knots. The speed of most OF the others
ranges from twenty to twenty -One
knots, but the Russian vessels are OBJ
selete, and are only capable Of making
twelve knots.
1t is said, however, that the interna-
tional squadron is able to land nearly
5000 men and twenty guns liz desira-
BILE, but it is not suggested what such a
force would be able to achieve.
The reply which the Sultan has now
made appears to be virtually reitera-
ton of the refusals he gave in July
and October, slightly altered to meet
the modification made by the Powers
in their latest demand.
Ind DINO from rooont TfcV1o fohner II, q
Sultan is justified in appealing to pub.
lie opinion, SO far as it exists In Tur-
key. The correspondents have made
it clear that the educated Turks greatly
resent the attitude Of the European
Cabinets Even sincere reformers are
hoping that the Sultan will resist to
the utmost.
The Turks are especially bitter at
seeing Russia, while in the throes of a
revolution produced by centuries of
oppression, taking a leading part in
forcing reforms on Turkey. 1t is sar-
castically suggested that the Powers
would have been better employed in
sending their fleets to Odessa to stop
the massacre Of the Jews, and it is
asked why Europe is so excited over
Macedonia and so Indifferent to events
IN the Caucasus and Poland. The
whole thing seems to the Turk to be an
instance of Christian fanatlcism.
The retort of the Powers to such
views and question is that the Mace
donian disorders threaten the peace OF
Europe, while the Russian disorders
are entirely internal and concern only
herself.
Some reports from Constantinople by
way Of Vienna represent the Sultan
as still wavering, having personally.
but vainly, appealed to the Austrian
Emperor and the Gar to procure
further delay This is not confirmed
from any trustworthy source.
On the contrary, every important
consideration indicates the opposite.
The Sultan knows he will have the en-
thusiastic support Of his subjects in
defying Europe Moreover, he realizes
that sooner or later he will have to
fight to keep Macedonia and that such
good opportunity as the present, with
Russia powerless,; Austria weakened
and Germany believed to be lulxewarm,
is not likely to recur.