The Topeka state journal., 1908-10-15
Powers Agree Upon Programme
for Turkey.
Bulgaria to Be an Independent
Kingdom.
AUSTRIA GETS TWO.
Annexation of Bosnia and Her
zegOvina Approved.
The Island of Crete Goes to
Greece.

London, Oct. 15.-Great Britain,
Russia and France have reached an
agreement on a programme to be sub
mitted to the other powers as a basis
for discussion by the proposed
European conference 10 settle the
Balkan situation. The proposals to
be laid before the powers are eight In
number.
The first is to the effect that articles
1 to 22 of the treaty of Berlin, whlch
relates to Bulgaria and eastern Ru-
nell, shall be replaced by stlpulatlons
recognizing the independence OF Bull
garia as at present constituted ana
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 annexation by Austria Hungary OF
Bosnia and Herzegovina and the re-
turn of the Sanjak of Novipazar TO
Turkey.
settles Cretan Question.
The fourth article relates to Crete:
1t replaces article % OF the treaty Oh
Berlin by clauses recognizing the an
nexation of Crete to Greece ana deter
mining the financial obligations OF
Greece, in respect to Crete, toward
Turkey. 1t is understood that the four
powers under whose protection Crete
has been, Russia, Great Brltaln,
France and Italy, will settle the Cretan
question in concert with Turkey before
referring il to the conference. 1t is
proposed also that the second part OF
article 23 of the Berlin treaty which
provides special regulations for the
government of other. parts of Euro
pean Turkey shall cease to have force
when the powers are assured that
satisfactory settlement has been erect
ed The fifth proposal is to the erect
u, T~- 20, ft7a q
shall apply to the Armenian provinces
of Turkey. The sixth article deals
with Montenegro. The Montenegrin
rights of sovereignty are limited by
article 20 of the treaty Of Berlin; II
Is proposed that articles 26 to S3 in
elusive of the Berlin treaty shall be
condensed to single article abrogat-
ing all the restrictions imposed by the
treaty under the original article 20,
which it is proposed to sweep away.
To Satisfy Servia.
The seventh point in the programme
is the statement that it is desirable to
seek and give compensation to Servia
and Montenegro by a rectifying OF
the Bosnia and Herzegovinan 'front.'
iers, adjoining Novipazar. This is
taken to imply that a strip will be
taken from the territory annexed by
Austria-H Hungary.
The eighth proposal concerns the
river Danube and declares 1t is de-
enring Danube traffic so as to give
larger rights to the states bordering
on the river.
The eight articles of the programme
are followed by a declaration that as
the new Ottoman constitution fore
shadows a reorganization of the judi
cial system and a remodeling of Turk
ish legislation in conformitory with the
principles of other European states, the
powers are prepared to consider in con-
9G O.
forms are realized, the best means of
doing away with capitulations. 1t is
declared also that occasion could be
taken to consider the abolition of the
postof1ces now maintained by foreign
powers in Turkey.
Doesn't Settle Water Question.
The draft of this programme makes
no mention of the straits between the
Black sea and the Mediterranean,
which, of course, means the Bosphor-
Gus as we'll as the DardanelleS. But
these straits have been a subject of
protracted discussion between Sir Ed
ward Grey, the British foreign secre-
tary and NJ. Islowsky, the Russian min
lister of foreign affairs. NJ. Islowsky
does not ask that this question be sub
mitted to the conference. what he de-
sires is that Great Britain and France
Y help Russia to negotiate with Turkey
Tor the opening of these straits to Rus
sia.
Every desire TO arrive at an unQer-
standing, but safeguarding at the same
time the interests of Turkey has beer
shown. In the first place Russia want
ed the right to send warships through
the straits in time of peace, that is tC
say when Turkey was not at war
under special conditions and special re-
strictions In reply Great Britain asked
that the same right be accorded al
nations. To this Russia demurred, ar
guing that foreign warships could only
desire to enter the Black sea for bel
ligerent purposes. Ultimately. al
which the right of ingress and egres!
granted Russian warships shall be ac
corded on the same conditions to til,
ships of any other power not at wa
with Russia.
No Bulgarian UItimatum.
Paris. Oct. 15.-M. Stancioff. the dip
lomatic agent of Bulgaria in Paris is
In receipt of official advices from Sofia
which deny the alarmist rumors cur.
rent here yesterday of Bulgaria's pur.
poses. Bulgaria has no intention -
sending an ultimatum to Turkey or o.
ordering further mobilization of hel
forces. On the contrary, the OUTLOOK
for a peaceful adjournment with Tur.
KEY and the powers is now regarded IL
Sofia as practically assured through
the international conference. NJ. Stan
cioff said he did not give credence L
the bellicose language attributed to thi
Bulgarian premier, and explained tina
Bulgaria was ready to make whateve
money compensation was proper on ac
count of the Oriental railway and east
ern Rumelia. He characterized as alb
sllrd the report from Belgrade of ;
secret treaty between Bulgaria an,
Austria-Hungary.
Continuing the conversation NJ Stan
cioff expressed surprise that the Unite,
States had not yet recognized the in