THE BALKAN CRISIS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 79, 1 April 1908, Page 4

THE BALKAN CRISIS.

With the coming of the spring, 'and the melting of the snows in the Balkans, we hear once more from the Near East rumours of gathering war. Macedonia is still the crux of the situation, and in spite of diplomatic remonstrances from the Powers, the Turks are still pursuing their work of devastation and slaughter in this hapless region. An English traveller who has just traversed the Balkan States from end to end has recently declared that whatever Abdul Hamid' and his Ministers may say to the contrary, Macedonia is simply a hell upon earth; and the horrors endured by the Macedonians at the hands of the Turks are multiplied and aggravated by the bitter strife between the Greeks and Bulgarians, who, though desiring to free the country, each claim it as their rightful heritage. Two news items of genuine importance have reachtd us recently in regard to the Macedonian crisis —the decision of Russia and Austria to enforce a new series of reforms, and the suggestion made by Sir Edward Grey for the appointment of a European Governor to rule Macedonia under the surveillance of the Powers; but unfortunately neither of these expedients is likely to lead to any serious practical result.

As to the projected reforms, it is extremely improbable that Turkey would even pretend to accept any scheme that went further than the Murzteg Note of 1903; and the concessions then demanded ,by Russia and Austria, on behalf of the Christian subjects of the Sultan, have never been carried into effect. The Powers already possess a nominal control of the financial and administrative system in Macedonia, and an international police under the command of an Italian oflicer is supposed to protect the people. But a bitter experience has shown that these attempts to mitigate the horrors of Turkish rule have been absolutely futile. There is no longer any doubt that Macedonia's best chance of salvation lies in the direction" recently indicated by Sir Edward Grey. Under a European Governor-General, protected by the Powers, this unfortunate country, if once autonomy were secured for it, would speedily recover from the terrible experiences of its disastrous past. This proposal is favoured by Montenegro, Roumania, Bulgaria, and most of °t_e other Balkan States. A German or an Austrian ruler would be impossible, but the names of the Grown Prince of Montenegro and of Prince Arthur of Connaught have been mentioned with approval; and the results achieved by such a system in the Lebanon province and in Crete give some grounds for the hope that it would ultimately afford the best means of securing the safety and happiness of the Macedonians.

But, unfortunately, there is no immediate prospect of carrying out this beneficient scheme. We have to deal in the first place with Russia's determination never to repeat the error -that secured Bulgarian independence and so planted a fresh obstacle between the van of the Russian advance, and' Constantinople. But beyond this we have to consider- the interests of G_r_u_iy-and Austria in jthe Balkan Peninsula, and the

intrigues "by "which, these _itere_ts_rebeing extended and maintained. For the last twenty years Germany has been, slowly, but isurely, .strengthening -her position in Turkey. She _as gained the confidence of the Sultan, secured a übnixnairt position- in Turkish finance, -helped to reorganise the Turkish army, and fixed a firm hold on the internal means of communication, and -therefore on .the commerce and industries of the Empire. Austria has so far confined her attention chiefly to Bosnia and Herzgovina, which sne has practically enslaved, and to Servia, where she is constantly intriguing against the Government and stirring up strife and discprd. The object of Germany and Austria is the same —to work steadily for the dismemberment of the Turkish Empire, but to maintain it, at any cost, and without ..regard to the sufferings of the Sultan's Christian subjects until the' psychological moment arrives, when these two Powers can seize the lion's share of the spoil. But though •the -Powers appear to view this callous and cynical policy unmoved, the peoples of the Balkans" are determined _ot to endure much longer in patience; It is well-known that Bulgaria has decided to hazard a contest with Turkey for Macedonia; and Roumania and.Servia, to say nothing of Montenegro an. Albania, will almost certainly .fight on the same side. Predictions about the Eastern question are rarely fulfilled, but there seems a great deal to be said for the confident assurance of an English diplomat, who has recently toured the Balkan States, that there will be war between Bulgaria and Turkey bofbre the year closes—and if this happens, no man can foresee the end.