Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-15
OPENS THE BERLIN TREATY
Bulgarian Independence and Cretan
Union Recognized.
AUSTRIA NOT TO RETAIN ALL
Will Lose Part Of Annexed Territory
if Plan Goes Through-Turkey'a
Rights Protected.

LONDON. October 15-Great Britain.
Russia and France have reached an agree
ment on a program to be submitted to the
other powers basis for discussion by
the proposed European conference to set
tie 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 % OF the treaty of Berlin. which
relate to Bulgaria and eastern Rumelia,
shall be replaced by stipulations recog-
nizing the independence of Bulgaria
al present constituted and determining
the financial obligations OF Bulgaria to-
ward 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 striaHungary of Bosnia and
Herzegovina and the return of the Sanjak
of Novipazar to Turkey.
Crete Upheld in Union.
The fourth article relates 10 Crete. II
replaces article % of the treaty OF Berlin
by clauses recognizing the annexation OF
Crete to Greece and determining the
financial obligations of Greece in respect
stood that the four powers under whose
protection Crete has been-Russia, Great
Britain. France and Italy-will settle the
Cretan question in concert with Turkey
before referring it to the conference.
1t is proposed also that the second part
of article % of the Berlin treaty, which
provides special regulations for the gov
ernment of other parts of European Tur-
key shall cease to have force when the
a satisfactory
settlement has been effected.
The fifth proposal is to the effect that
arrangements similar to the above shall
apply to the Armenian provinces OF Tur-
key.
Free Hand for Montenegro.
The sixth article deals with Montenegro.
The Montenegrin rights of sovereignty are
limited by article 90 Of the treaty Of Ber-
lin. II is proposed that articles 26 to 81.
inclusive, of the Berlin treaty shall be con-
densed to a single article abrogating all
the restrictions imposed by the treaty
under the original article 29, which 1t Is
proposed to sweep away.
The seventh point in the program Is the
s: statement tina il Is desirable TO seek and
give compensation to Servia and Monte
negro by a rectification of the Bosnian
and Herzeeovinian frontiers adjoining
Novipazar. This is taken to Imply that
strip will be taken from the territory an
nexed by AustriaHungary.
The eighth proposal concerns the River
Danube and declares IL is desirable 10
revise the regulations governing Danube
traffic SO as to give larger rights to the
states bordering on the river
Reforms in Turkey.
The eight articles of the program are
followed by a declaration that as the new
Ottoman constitution foreshadows re-
organization of the judicial system and
a remodeling of Turkish legislation In con-
formitory with the principles of other
European states. the powers are prepared
to consider in concert with turkey. SO
soon as these reforms are realized, mo
best means of doing away with capltuia-
tions. 1t is declared also that thls oc-
casion could be taken TO consider the abo-
lition of the post offices now maintained
by foreign powers in, Turkey.
The draft of this program makes no
mention of the straits between the BLACK
sea and the Mediterranean. which. OF
course means the BoSphorus as well as
the Dardanelles. But these straits nave
been a subject of protacted discussion
between Sir Edward Grey, the British
foreign secretary, and Mr.. lSwolsky, the
Russian minister OF foreign affairs. NJ
IsWolsky does not ask that this question
be submitted to the conference: what ne
desires is that Great Britain and France
help Russia to negotiate with Turkey for
the opening of these straits TO Russia
Opens Black Sea to Warships.
Every desire to arrive at an under
standing, but safeguarding, at the same
time the interests of Turkey has been
shown. In the first place. Russia wanted
the right to send warships through the
straits in time OF peace-under special
conditions and special restrictions In re-
ply Great Britain asked that the same
right be accorded all nations. To this
Russia demurred arguing that foreign
warships could only desire to enter the
Black sea for belligerent urposes.
Ultimately. an agreement apparently
was reached. by which the rlSrts OF in
eress and egress granted Russian war
ships shall be accorded on The same con-
ditions to the ships of any other power
not at war with Russia.
AUSTRIAN WARSHIPs APPEAR.