New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-10-16
BALKAN PROGRAMME
OUTLINE OF CONFERENCE.
Britain, Russia and France arrange
Eight Balkan Proposals.

London Oct 15-Great Britain. Russia and
France have reached an agreement on a pro-
gramne to be submitted to the other powers as
a basis for discussion by the proposed European
conference to settle the questions involved IN the
Balkans situation.
The proposals to be laid before the powers are
eight in number.
The first is TO the effect that Article TO p
of the Treaty OF Berlin which relate to Bull
gara and Eastern Rumelia. shall be replaced
by stipuations recognizing the independence OF
Bulgaria as at present constituted and deter
mining the financial obligations Of Bulgaria
toward Turkey. New clauses probably. will set
tie also the question of the Oriental railway.
The second and third proposals are that the
powers shall take note OF the annexation b>
Austria-Hungary OF Bosnia and Herzegovina
and the return OF the sanjak OF Novi-Bazar to
Turkey.
The fourth article relates to Crete. 1t replaces
Article % OF the Treaty of Berlin by clauses
recognizing the annexation of Crete 10 Greece
and determining the financial obligations OF
Greece in respect TO Crete toward Turkey. 1t ~
understood that the four powers under whose
projection Crete has been-Russia. Great Brit
ain, France and Italy-will settle the Cretan
question in concert with Turkey before referring
Il to the conference It is proposed also that the
second part of Article % of the Berlin Treaty
which provides special regulations for the gov
eminent OF other parts 81 European Turkey,
shall cease to have force when the powers are
assured that satisfactory settlement has been
effected.
The fifth proposal is to the effect that ar
engagements similar 10 the above shall apply TO
the Armenian provinces of Turkey.
The sixth article deals with Montenegro. The
Montenegro rights of sovereignty are limited
90
posed that Article &c to SO. inclusive OF the Ber-
lin Treaty shall be condensed TO single article
abrogating all the restrictions imposed by the
treaty under the original Article %, which it is
proposed to sweep away.
The seventh point in the programme is the
statement that It is desirable to seek and give
compensation TO Servia and Montenegro by
rectification OF the Bosnian and Herzegovinian
frontiers adjoining Novi-Bazar. This is taken to
imply that a strip will be taken from the terri
tory annexed by Austria.Hungary.
The eighth proposal concerns the River Dan
ube, and declares # Is desirable TO revise the
regulations governing Danube traffic as TO
give larger rights TO the states bordering the
river.
The eight articles of the programme are fol-
lowed by a declaration that the Ottoman
constitution foreshadows a reorganization Of the
judicial system and q remodelling OF Turkish
other European states the powers prepared
TO consider. in concert with Turkey, so soon as
these reforms are realized, the best means of
doing away with capitulations. 1t is declared
also that this occasion could be taken TO con-
slider the abolition Of the postoflces now main
tanned by foreign powers in Turkey.
The draft of this programme makes no men
ton of the straits between the. Black Sea and
the Mediterranean, which, of course. means the
nall raIIa EQYYs
these straits have been a subject OF protracted
discussion between Sir Edward Grey. the Brit
ish Foreign Secretary. and NJ. Iswolsky. the
Russian Minister OF Foreign Affairs. NJ. Iswol-
sky does not ask that this question be submitted
10 the conference; what he desires is that Great
Britain and France help Russia to negotiate
with T.-'Cey for the opening CT these straits to
Russia
Every desire to arrive at an understanding
while safeguarding at the time the inter
ests Of Turkey. has been shown in the formula
ton of the programme. In the first place, Rus
STA wanted the right to send warships through
the straits in time Of peace-that is TO say when
Turkey not at war-under special condi-
tons and special restrictions. In reply, Great
Britain asked that the right be accorded
all nations. To this Russia demurred, arguing
that foreign warshiDs could desire TO enter the
Black Sea only for belHgerent purposes. Ulu-
mately agreement apparently reached
by which rights Of ingress and egress granted
Russian warships to be accorded on the
same conditions TO the ships OF any other power
not at with Russia
At a final meeting held between Sir Edward
Grey and NJ Iswolsky this afternoon the seventh
proposal altered into a simple affirmation of
the desirability Of giving compensation to Servia
and Montenegro, but without <specifying the
means
All the men Of the home fleet absent from their
ships liberty have suddenly been recalled.
The reason for this has not yet been ascertained.
The order has caused considerable excite ment.