Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-10-16

LONDON. Oct 16-Great Britain, Russia
and France have reached an agreement on
a program to bo submitted to the other
powers as a basis for discussion by the
proposed European conference to settle the
Balkan situation. The proposals to be laid
before the powers are eight in number.
The first is to the effect that articles
to xxi Of the treaty OF Berlin, which re-
late to Bulgaria and eastern Rumelia, shall
be replaced by stipulation recognizing the
Independence of Bulgaria as at present
constituted and determining the financial
obligations of Bulgaria toward Turkey.
New clauses probably will settle also the
question of the Oriental railway.
The second and third proposals are that
the powers shall take note of the annexa-
tion by Austria-H Hungary Of Bosnia and
Herzegovina and the return OF the SanjalS
Of NovipaZar to Turkey.
Crete Secures It's Desire.
The fourth article relates to Crete. It
replaces article xiii OF the treaty OF Ber-
lin by clauses recognizing the annexation
OF Crete to Greece and determining the
financial obligations of Greece, in respect
to Crete, toward Turkey. II is understood
that the four powers under whose protec-
ton Crete has been, Russia, Great Britain,
France and Italy, will settle the Cretan
question In concert with Turkey before
referring It to the conference. II Is pro-
posed also that the second part Of article
xxiii of the Berlin treaty. while II provides
special regulations for the government of
other parts of European Turkey, shall
cease to have force when the powers are
proposed to sweep away.
The fifth proposal is to the effect that ar
rangements similar to the above shall apply
to the Armenian provinces Of Turkey.
Sovereignty of Montenegro.
The sixth article deals with Montenegro.
The Montenegran rights of sovereignty are
limited by article xxx Of the treaty Of
Berlin. 1t is proposed that articles XVI to
xxxiii inclusive of the Berlin treaty shall
be condensed to a single article abrogating
all the restrictions imposed by the treaty
under the original article xxx. which It is
assured that a satisfactory settlement has
been effected.
The seventh point in the program is the
statement that It is desirable to seek and
give compensation to Servia and Monte
negro by a rectification OF the Bosnian and
Herzegovinan frontiers adjoining Novi-
pRHar. This Is taken to Imply that a strip
will be AIKEN from the territory annexed
by Austria Hungary
The eighth proposed amendment concerns
the river Danube. and declares it is de-
sirable to revise the regulations governing
Danube traffic so as to give larger rights
to the states bordering on the river
The eight articles of the program are
followed by declaration that as the new
Ottoman constitution foreshadows a re-or-
ganization of the judicial system and a
remodeling Of Turkish legislation in con-
formlty with the principles Of other Bu-
ropean states. the powers are prepared to
consider, in concert with Turkey, so soon
as these reforms are realized, the best
means of doing away with capitulation. It
Is declared also that this occasion could be
taken to consider the abolition OF the post
offices now maintained by foreign powers
in Turkey.
BOsDhOrus and DardanelIes.
The draft of this program makes no mem
tion Of the straits between the Black sea
and the Mediterranean. which, OF course,
mean the Bosphorus as we'll as the Darda-
neles. But these straits have been a sub
Ject OF protracted discussion between Sir
Edward Gray, the British foreign secretary,
and M Iswolsky the Russian minister Of
foreign affairs. NJ Iswolsky does not ask
that this question be submitted to the con-
ference what he desires is that Great
Britain and France help Russia to nego-
tiate with Turkey for the opening of these
straits to Russia.
Every desire to arrive at an understand
Ing, but safeguarding at the same time the
interests Of Turkey. has been shown In
the first place. Russia wanted the right
to send warshps through the straits in
times Of peace-that is to say when Turkey
was not at war-under special conditions
and special restrictions. In reply, Great
Britain asked that the same right be ac-
corded all nations. To this Russia de-
murred arguing that foreign warships
could only desire to enter the Black sea
for belligerent purposes. Ultimately, an
agreement apparently was reached by
which the rights OF ingress and egrsss
granted Russian ships shall be accorded
on the same conditions to the ships Of any
other power not at war with Russia.
Liberty Men Called In.
LONDON, Oct. l5,-All OF the men OF the
home fleet absent from their ships on
liberty have been suddenly recalled. Inso-
much as the reason for this has not ye,