THE SITUATION IF THE BALKANS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12194, 13 February 1903, Page 5

THE SITUATION IF THE BALKANS.

ACTION OF GREAT BRITAIN.

ATTITUDE OF THE POWERS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright

London, February 11. Great Britain is doing her utmost to effect a peaceful solution of the situation in the Balkans. She advocates joint European pressure, whereas Russia favours Austro-Rus-sian action alone. France leans towards Britain, but Germany's attitude is doubtful. Paris, February 11. The Turkish Ambassador in Paris denies the report of the mobilisation of Turkish troops. (Received February 12, 10.23 p.m.) London, February 12. Advices from Sofia state that owing to the Macedonians' increased agitation martial law will shortly be proclaimed in several districts. The Government contemplates, in the event of the continuance of measures due to the concentration of Turkish troops on the frontier, summoning an army division at Sofia and another at Philippopolis. Grave uneasiness is felt in Vienna. It is hoped that Austria and Russia will take energetic steps to stem the danger. Professor Michailowski, chief of one section of the Macedonian Committee, has sent a circular to 600 Bulgarian officers of Macedonian birth, comprising one-third of the army staff, urging them to join the revolutionists by the middle of February. (Received February 12, 11.25 p.m.) Paris, February 12. The Temps' Constantinople correspondent contradicts the denial of the Turkish Ambassador in Paris with reference to the mobilisation of Turkish troops.

A few years ago (says the Pilot of December 20) the formation of a Deliyannist dovernment in Greece would have been an important factor in.the Near Eastern question ; now it passes almost unnoticed. M. Deliyaripis returns to power at the ago of 80. with a programme of strict economy and peace with the Porte. Greece took her chance five years ago and failed, and whoever profits by the developments of the Macedonian question it will not bo the Hellene. At present the Turkish Reform Commission is at work in the province, but, if only because no Christian is upon it, its labours do not inspire much hope. A semi-official note in the Russian Imperial Messenger, intended to encourage the Commission in its labours, intimates that the Bulgarian committees are chiefly responsible for the disturbances, and that Russia will settle any complications on the basis of the agreement with Austria-Hun-gary in 1897. The committees, however, will hardly quiet down if the result is only to be the status quo of oppression in Macedonia. The. new Servian Ministry appears anxious to work with Bulgaria, but Servia has too many troubles of her own in prospect to profit much by a Balkan crisis.