Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-23
ANOTHER CRY FROM MACEDONIA.

So long as Macedonia Is the cradle OF so
many races and religions the same cry
of distress will be heard
Aehrenthal.s until her political status
shall have been evolved
out of the chaos that
reigns there, The present conflict has its
origin in article p of the Berlin conven-
ton which accorded Austria the right TO
construct the railroad from Metrovitza
to the Sandjak Of Novi Bazaar and the
Bosnian frontier. The serious element in
the situation, which marks deviation
in this recognized pivot of peril Is the
recent expose by Baron d Aehrenthal. the
Austrian minister of foreign affairs. of
the policy of Austria in the Balkans
which has revived the several latent in
terests in Macedonia.
1t is assumed in Russia and in England
that Germany has inspired Austria TO this
declaration. The Gazette de Voss says
that Baron d'Aehrenthal has given a
new impulse to Austrian policy. Aus
tria awakes from her long sleep and
proposes now to develop her commercial
interests. which she should have done
long ago.
The Tageblatt expresses itself thus:
The extraordinary rapidity with which
the plan of the line from Sandjak has
been conceived is the marvel of the mo-
ment. The concession was obtained from
the Sultan of Turkey and within a month
Austrian engineers may be at work on
the construction.
THE Baron d'Aehrenthal has suddenly
become celebrated and the eyes of all
Europe are concentrated upon him. He
is the statesman desired by the Ausfro-
Hungarian monarchy at this moment.
England is opposed to the natural eX-
pansion of her old friend Austria. while
Germany rejoices. AS Baron d. Aehren-
thai said. Germany desires that her ally
shall be powerful
Baron d'Aehrentlal. speaking of the
Balkans before the commission at Wien
ma. said in substance: That. faithful to
Austrian policy in the Balkans. Austria
did not aspire to territorial acquisition:
that Austria's mission was economical in
character and it should thus be the more
important because a presage for the Bal
kans of an era Of great development.
X
The minister explained the great i'm
portance o. the projected railway con-
struction which would
Pacific connect Bosnia and the
va.. orient He could count
the more surely on the
aid Of the sultan for this enterprise that
the junction of the railway lines in Bos-
MIA to those of Greece would give a new
impetus to the economical life of the
vilayets of Macedonia and would contrib
ute to awaken the interest Of the popula-
ton of these provinces for pacific indus
try. Likewise it would be necessary to
construct railroad to connect Austria
with Montenegro.
AS the administration of three vilayets
to- yorlyiy mar
smoothly, the complaints of the Christian
population against abuses by the Turk
ish authorities were growing rare.
On the other hand the conflicts between
Christians in Macedonia had assumed dis
Quieting proportions, state of affairs due
to the fact that the Christians there. or
rather the parties controlling them
Greeks. Bulgarians and Servians, with
their ramifications in their respective
provinces, have failed to understand the
reforms of Muersteg.
Nevertheless the movement of the bands
in Macedonia had not assumed such gray
ty if the Ottoman authorities had pro-
tected these defenseless people as they
should have done. and the minister con-
cluded: Our policy is guided by the same
good feeling for all people. We desire for
the people of Macedonia pacific devel-
opment."
NJ. Ernest Judat. editor of rEclair of
Paris. treats at length the subject of the
cords TO Austria the right to
construct the railway which is now the
subject of general discussion.
What is this terrible railway" he asks.
1T is modest line of ITO kilometers. join
ing MetrOvitZa to the Bos-
Austria's MIA frontier. But this SIM
go, pie junction becomes for
Austria the triumphant
conclusion of persevering policy fol-
lowed since the treaty of Berlin Having
thus assimilated the two former provinces
of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Austria pre-
pares to move toward the archipelago in
the southeast
IAN economical question first: a question
of Imperialism next. Nearly all victories
of modern times are won by rail or by
canal.
The construction of that line will be
undertaken by Austria-Hunsary and
Greece and against the interests of the
Slavs of Bulgaria and Macedonia. the
friends and clients of Russia.
Austria and Russia were associated to
maintain order in the Balkans. Now the
pact is broken. disorder is aggravated and
the exclusion of Russian influence is pro-
claimed. Austrian influence pretends to
take Russia's place and leave the latter
out entirely. Can it be effected easily :?
The awakening is cruel after such a dis
astrous experience: dualism is nothing
more than a vain deception. Russia. vie
tim of her sincerity. will scarcely know
how to tolerate the diminution OF her
prestige without falling in her duties o.
protection which she has always extended
"a Bulgarians.
For several months there have circu-
lated sinister rumors about the renewal in
the spring of 1908 of the chronic agita-
ton among the people in the Balkans
The prophets of evil in London have not
been deceived. for they were possessed of
the secret of the gods. The Ottoman
empire remains the reserve of turbulent
diplomacy, which profits by affairs that
are in a disordered state; among her
weak members which may require am
putation. Turkey is embarrassed to know
which to choose. With the certainty that
the moment to interfere energetically
has come. Austria Hungary. usually so
slow and prudent has taken an initia-
tive which amounts to a prOvoca ton.
France. the ally of Russia. cannot re-
main indifferent TO this sudden resurrec-
ton of the question of the orient
lie Temps mentions Austria Hungary as
essentially a continental power with no
colonies. which has al
Continental ways seen in the Euro
pean orient a special field
Acti"1'y' for her industrial activity
In accord with Russia as to the main
tenance of her territorial status quo,
Austria has sought an outlet for her in