Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-12-04

upon him. as seen IN his attitude to-
ward the European powers which are
| now threatening 70 take possession OF
| Turkish territory unless the Alacedo-
ulau problem If settled satisfactorily.
There Is every reason for doubling the
correctness Of this statement. II the
speakers connected with the mosques
are delivering innammatory addresses
they are In all probability commanded
to 10 so by the full consent of the Sui.
tan perhaps TO impress the Europeans
with his seemingly dangerous position,
should he yield now. 1t Is moro likely
that the oratlons referred 20 are in
tended for effect In Europe. rather
than I'M the council Of the Sultan. Alb
du Hamid does not need stimulants to
resist foreign encroachment on his ter
rtory
The situation at present H. consd-
cred very grave though 1t IL generally
believed that the Turkish government
wlll yield completely at the last mo-
ment. AZ the conference IN Berlin
1873. the powers represented pledged
themselves to see to 1t that the Turk
lsh provinces should no longer be the
scene OF persecution and misgoyern-
ment, Russia had been deprived OF the
power to liberate the Christians ot the
Balkan states, though she had waged a
successful war for that purpose. and
the great powers of Europe pledged
themselves to see to the establishment
~ peace and tranquility. But these
pledges were never kept. Three years
ago the conditions Ia Macedonia be-
came So nOtoriousi. hail. That the sig
natory powers decided to Intervene,
though they had refused to do so IN
behalf OF the Armenlans. Russin and
Austria took the initiative. and the
proposition was to place the Turkish
troops In the provinces under European
officers, and put the revenue collcc-
ton under the supervision Of RESPONSE
bic parties, The Sultan then prom,sed
10 tnaugurate reforms. but the prom
ises were. of course. not kept. The un-
rest In Macedonia grew. and open In
surrection was threatened
Last May the powers again took the
matter up. They sent collective note
20 the Sultan, proposing scheme for
administering the finances Of the three
Macedonian yilayets. Salonica, Monas-
tir and Uskub. The scheme provided
for the appointment Of four financial
representatives Of the powers, who,
with the Austro. Russian civil agents,
should constitute commission to deal
with the provincial budget. This coll
lective note also conveyed the lnfor-
nation that the foreign delegates APP
pointed as controllers would reach Sa-
lonica on October LIST. The Sultans
answers were evasive. He. evidently,
counted on German backing. Finally
the powers served him with an ultima
tunl. accompanied with threat to IN
wade Turkish waters with an mterna-
tional fleet. In accordance with this
ultlmatum fleet OF war ships belong
ing to Great Britain. Austria, Italy ana
France assembled at the Plraeus, and
under the command OF the Austrian
admiral. Ritter Won Jedina, sailed for
the Islands Of Mitylene and Lemnos. II
the Sultan continues his policy OF pro-
crastlnation, the fleet may attempt TO
force the Dardanelles and threaten
Constantinople.
Whether the Macedonian problem
will be settled by the Introduction OF
the proposed reforms. Is doubtful. The
Macedouians want complete liberty.
They have a secret government known
as the Macedonian committee. This
committee make laws. collect taxes in
their own way, pass judgment upon
offenders, and virtually exercise all the
functions of government They are
working for freedom from Turkish rule.
and they viii not be satisfied with less.
The problem can only he solved by the
liberation Of the victims of oppression.