Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-10-08
BALKAN SITUATION CHANGED
BY TURKEYS SURPRISE.
Announces Willingness to Grant f-Gov-
eminent to ROumania and Macedonia
Powers Decide to Entervene===ThO
sands Leaving for Home.

ConstantinopIe, Oct. THE Balkan
situation has been considerably chang
ed by Turkeys 18th hour surprise an
/ nouncement of her willingness to grant
a measure of self government to Ru
mania and Macedonia.
! 1t is argued here that in introduc-
F., ing III those provinces reforms elab-
GRATED by representatives of Great
| Britain France, Germany, Austria,
Italy and Russia, Turkey not merely
desires to gcye the Powers an argu-
| ment for bringing pressure to bear in
! the Balkan capitals. but probably has
! in view the circumstance that the de-
| cision is calculated to sow discord
among the members of the Balkan al
| lance.
The Greeks in particular are likely to
be dissatisfied for it is regarded in dip
lomatie circles as without doubt that
they were counting on a general con-
| hagration in order to settle various
burning questions. These include for
instance, the presence of Cretan dep
uties in Athans.
However, although the position has
improved war cannot yet be said to
have been averted.
Possible events in Turkey itself
must not bealost sight of, especially
after the wariike fever lately eneour
aged among the people.
In many quarters here the fear is
expressed that the excitement Great
ed by the war preparations OF both
sides has advanced too far for d con-
fiict to be avoided on the basis of any
reform short of complete Macedonian
autonomy. The Ottoman government
has ordered the prohibition of the ex-
port OF grain from Anatolia.
Germany, today, accepted the
amended draft of the declaration of the
Powers to Turkey and the Balkan
states. 1t now embodies the Austrian
proposal for a clearer definition of the
intention of the Powers, which ask for
a larger mea of home rule for the
European province of Turkey.
The action of the Powers now de-
pends en- the attitude of Great Britain
which is not expected here to be made
known before Wednesday.
The German foreign office has express
ed its agreement with the view of Ser.
gus Sazanoff, the Russian foreign min
lister, as to the inacceptability of the
Bulgarian demand for foreign governors
for Macedonia in the control of the
Balkan states.
Constantinople. Oct 7.-Rochid Pasha
is expected to arrive, today, from Ouchy,
Switzerland. bearing important docu-
ments connected with the Turco- raiian
peace negotiations, which have been pro-
ceeding there, He represented the Otto
man government during the conferences
with the Italian delegates, although he
was supposed to be acting unofticially
A state of siege has been proclaim
ed in Macedonia. The British ambas
sador, today. conferred with the
Grand Vizier concerning the applica-
ton of reforms in Macedonia.
New York, Oct 7.-All the telegraph
wires in the territory of Turkey In Eu-
rope are now unavailable for Geographic
correspondence, according to an official
notice issued, today by the International
office at Berne, Switzerland to
all the telegraph administrations through
oat the world. The routes by way OF
Kustendje, Odessa and Batoum, however.
are available for Turkish correspondence
Paris, Oct 1.-THE tension in the
Balkans it is thought. tonight, at the
foreign office and among diplomats.
shows slight slackening. 1t is hard
fact. however. that the danger from mar
tial enthusiasm remains and it ID real
lied that the crisis will persist as iong
as million troops. spelling for a fight
continue under arms.
r-optimism, therefore, is dlscour-
aged, but it is pointed out that Russia
and Austria, when really united. can go
far in the Balkan states. There appears
to be solid ground for the belier that
the government both of Turkey ana the
Balkan coalition-though not necessarily
their peoples-are still amenable to pres
sure from the European powers. The
combined ultimatum demanding reforms
which the Balkan states were TO have
dispatched to Turkey has now. under the
guidance of diplomacy, taken the form
of "a note which will be sent simulta-
neously to all the great powers and Tur-
key" And the Ottoman government
which protested that it would not listen
to proposals touching on its internal af-
fairs from any source, has itself opened
the door to receive the demands the pow
ing the Christian vilayets wholesale
measure of reforms
Constantinople, Oct. The people of
Turkey are skepticaI that war will be
avoided by the Porte's offer to carry into
effect Article XVIII of the treaty of
Berlin. 1t is felt here that matters have
gone too far and now that all the armies
are modified it would be preferable to
settle accounts once and for all time.
War preparations continue with UNI
abated enthusiasm. The government has
proclaimed a state of siege in CONSTANT
nople for three days.
London, Oct. IA Lloyds dispatch from
Constantinople says that the Greek
steamer Leonadas has been brought from
the Dardanelles by the Turkish authori-
ties. 1t is reported that all the others
are following.
Belgrade, Servia, Oct. THE Skup-
L ,Yc1x~ tnd