The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-01-01
TURKS TRY TO BLUFF.
ALLIES SAY PEACE PROPOSALS
ARE PREPOSTEROUS.
Balkan states VIII Resume Hostilitics
Rather Than Agree To Conditions
Named by Turks-Confercncc Takes
Recess.

put toward by Rechad Pasha. in
behalf OF the Ottoman government
Turkeys maximum demands are con-
sidered very sweeping and when ad-
tournment was taken 10 Monday IL
was evident the Turks must lower
their demands greatly or consent to
negotiate on a basis of terms propos-
ed by the allies.
II they attempt to stand by Sheir
gs'us OF resort to strategy the allies
may break of the negotiations. 1t is
considered not improbable that Tur-
key desires this. with the hope Of in
tervention by the powers. which would
lead GO a European conference or
mediation The pienipotentiaries could
then ay 60 the Mussulman world that
they yielded to the pressure OF all Eu-
rope.
The allies do not object TO the ac-
ccptance OF meditation II IL is UNDER
stood the mediators must respect the
territorial acquisitions resulting from
the war.
Americans who followed the Russo
Japanese negotiations at Portsmouth
when the difficulty OF forcing Russia
20 renounce Korea, Port Arthur and
Dalny and divide Saghalin seemed in
sursnountable. viii not be surprised at
what 40 occurring In London. although
the territories under dispute and the
interests affected and involved are
greater and more complicated. having
relation TO practically the whole of
eastern. central and southern Europe,
besides Great Britain.
II was Turkeys turn today to fur
nish the presiding officer and Rechad
Pasha took the chair. Gen. Gruics. the
former Servian minister Of war. was
chosen Secretary. Rechad Pasha calm
" unfoided n document. saying he had
the honor TO notify the delegates of
tho proposals OF his imperial govern
ment Cor. concluding peace. He read
the terms. which were as follows:
First The province of Adrianpole
20 remain onder the direct admins
lotion OF turkey.
Second. Macedonia to be converted
fnfo a principaiity with saionil<i as its
capitaL The principality to be under
the suzerainty OF the sultan OF Turkey.
but governed by a priacc chosen by
the Balkan allies and named by the
sultan OF Turkey. This prince to be
q protestant and from neutral state.
Tpird. Albania To be autonomous
under the sovereignty OF the sultan
and governed by a prince of the i'm
perisl ottoman family. who Is to be
chosen for a term OF five years. with
the possibility OF a renewal OF his ap-
polntment
Fourth. All the islands In the
aegean sea to remain Turkish.
Fifth. The cretan question not to
be one for the decision OF the confer,
ence as II Is a matter between Turkey
and the great European powers"
The chief OF the Turkish delegation.
as chairman. could hardly control the
excitement which followed. Tn, first
speaker was the Greek premier. NJ
venezelos The Turkish conditions
were so astounding. he said, that he
could scarcely believe that they were
meant seriously. although In saying so
he did not intend TO offend the Otto
man representatives.
Rechad Pasha replied. defending
the claims OF his government. Dr.
Danefr. head OF the Bulgarian pleni-
petentiaries. followed. dilating on the
Turkish demands.
Rochad Pasha interrupted to ask
why.
Dr. Daneff answered that he would
not even enter into the merits OF the
questions. the Ottoman claims being
preposterous beyond all expectation
NJ. Myushozitch. the Montenegrin
delegate remarked that IL had been
agreed by the ambassadors confer
ence that Albania should be autono-
nous under only the suzerelgnty Of
the sultan. while Turkey demanded
the sovereignty OF the sultan with a
ruling prince from the sultan's fam
ny.
Rechad expounded what evidently
was the main argument OF Turkey In
support OF her claims lie said the
powers since the beginning OF the
troubles with the Palkan states had
declared that In case OF conflict.
whatever its results, nobody would
gain from u. the powers being deter
mined To- maintain the status quo.
L. L-.rA A..I.