The Oamaru Mail WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1903.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8287, 16 September 1903, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1903.

It is becoming tolerably clear tliat affairs in the Balkans are drifting nearer to war, and that little short of a miracle can avert hostilities. We are bold enough to think tliat there will be no intervening miracle, and that there will be such a drastic dealing with the difficulty as will put an end to it ■once and for all. The whole world would be better for the ending -of the trouble even though the end were attained through the medium of war. The restraining force tliat holds the powers in check is not so much a dread of war as the uncertainty of what would follow. There is a widespread, and probably well-grounded, fear that the removal of the existing source of trouble and discontent would be followed by a new set of complications that might prove a more potent disturbing factor in the general peace of Europe. The fact is, indeed, that the Powers cannot trust each other, and that overshadowing any desire there may be for the betterment of the condition of the wretched people who are being crushed out of existence by the relentless Turks there is the suspicion that the solicitude of some of the Powers is not at all disinterested. There appears, indeed, to be some reason for suspecting that the rebellion is not altogether due to a spontaneous outburst of feeling amongst the people immediately concerned against the tyrannical Turkish—tliat, in fact, it has been fomented and encouraged by Russian agents with a view of promoting Russian ulterior designs. Were it possible to place implicit reliance upon Russia and to hold her free from any suspicion of aggrandisement the whole trouble might be promptly and' effectually ended by taking such measures as. would end Turkish rule over the whole disaffected territory. Even as matters 6tand, it is not improbable that measures will yet be taken to attain tliat end. 'The fear of Russian designs must vanish before the terrible story of Turkish outrages that is told day after day. The strain that such a career of carnage and diabolical cruelty puts upon the patience of even those who have been counted the friends of Turkey must reach the breaking point, and then will disappear all the restraining influences that have so far averted open war. Probably the sooner that point is reached the better. The Sultan has been afforded an ample opportunity to check the rebellion and restore order ; but the desired end is as far off attainment as ever. Nay, the methods adopted by the Turks are of such a nature as to add fresh fuel to the fire of discontent and spread its flames in all directions. The. Turkish conception of the right method of restoring order'.and removing discontent is to massacre all in the disaffected districts without regard to whether or not they have shared in or sympathised with the rebellion. Thus we read of the slaughter of women _and children and the aged and infirm, of pillage and plunder, and of whole villages being laid in ruins. Bulgarians, Wallachs, and Greeks—all and sundry—are thus robbed, outraged, and murdered. And all the while the iSultan, the chief butcher, makes fair promises of reforms, and professes a readiness to' do all the Powers suggest for the improvement of the government of his country. 'lt is impossible that this sort of thing can be permitted to continue much longer. The outrages perpetrated by the Turks will be made an excuse and a reason for active intervention, and it is not- at all unlikely that ere long Russia will deem it her mission once more to act as the armed arbiter. Indeed, as our cables _ very plainly hint, she is merely waiting now for a favorable opportunity to "let loose the dogs of war." When that time comes it will be found that others are ready to take a hand in the game, for others have purposes to serve besides the pacification of the Balkans. The days of Turkish rule in Europe are nearly numbered, and the sooner they come' to an end the better. 'Whatever might be the ultimate disposition of Turkey in Europe, humanity must profit by the change.