THE BALKANS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1032, 27 October 1903, Page 2

THE BALKANS.

PROPOSED REFORMS,

AUSTRO RUSSIAN MEMORANDUM

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright' Received 10.36 phtn., Oet. 26. Constantinople, Oct. 26.

It is proposed that tho assessors shall be civilians who shall supervise reforms. Tho Austro-Russian memorandum stipulates that the reorganisation of tho gendarmerie shall be entrusted to a foreign general in Turkey’s service, supported by tho officers of tho nationalities representing the Great Powers. They shall be stationed in various districts and given facilities to supervise tho attitude of tho troops towards tho population, and be entitled to ask for additional officers of foreign nationality and u mixed commission of Moslems and Christians iu equal numbers in tho chief towns to investigate political and other crimes arising out of the recent disturbances, tbo Austrian and Russian Consuls to be members thereof. The Porto is required to allot money to repatriate and rosettle Christians and rebuild their homes, churches, and schools. A commission, including Christians and notables, and the Russian and Austrian Consuls, will supervise tho application of this money. Repatriated Christians are to bo exempt from taxation for twolve months.

BEGINNING OF THE END. By Telegraph. Press Association. Copyright Received 11.14 p.m,, Oct. 26. Constantinople, Oct. 26. Tho memorandum states that tho niujority expressed that tho atrocities were tho work of Slaves. Tho Bashibazouks Slavs must be disbanded, and the formation of Bashibazourks’ bands unconditionally provented. London, Oct. 26. Router’s Agency reports that the idea of foreign control is very repugnant to tbo Porto. Turkish circles feel that it ought to be opposed as foreshadowing the beginning of the end.

TRIUMPH FOR LORD LANSDOWNE

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrigh Received 1.5 a.m., Oct. 27. London, Oct. 26.

There are indications that the general of the Turkish gendarmerie will be a German. The memorandum is considered a moral triumph for Lord Lansdowne, who suggested as an alternative to a Christian governor tho retention of Moslems with European assessors selected by Austria and Russia.