MACEDONIAN REFORMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 83, 27 March 1908, Page 2

MACEDONIAN REFORMS.

summi of sir kdwakd greys IWUSAL Received March 20, 10.57 p.m. London, March 20. Many Literal, Conservative, and Independent Labor Commoners are signing a statement strongly supporting Sir Edward Grey's Macedonia proposals.

INTERNATIOXAL JEALOUSIES. The arguments of the German Chancellor were anticipated by the British Foreign Secretary (Sir Edward Grey) in the speech in wlrieh lie propounded his scheme. He proposes that the gendarmerie, which has been ineffective for the

purpose of maintaining order, shall be strengthened and made into a potent instrument. At the same time, Sir Edward Grey stated expressly that Britain was prepared tu relinquish the gendarmerie scheme if a better were (suggested.

lie proposes the appointment as Governor-General of Macedonia, of a Christian or a Mohammedan, of a capacity and character known to the Powers, and irremovable for a term of years. Such a Governor-General should be given a free hand to secure effective administration.

With regard to the point, now raised by Prinde Buelow, aa to the Sultan's sovereignty, Sir Edward Grey is reported as saying that "if the appointment were accompanied by a reduction of Turkish troops, a collective guarantee should be given that Turkey's dominions would not be interlered with from outside.''

■Prince Buelow says lie anticipates that the Concert of the Powers will be maintained. Sir Edward Grey did not doubt that it would be, but fears (as

did Mr. Gladstone many years ago) that the Concert will remain inactive through luck of motive power, and, therefore, a passive barrier to reform instead ot

an active good. "The danger," said Sir Edward Grey, "was not that the Powers were likely to quarrel, but that tin

Concert would perish for lack of vitality and failure to .stop a condition of affair in Macedonia which, if neglected, mignt precipitate a catastrophe." The (Sternum Chancellor, it seems, has not propounded any scheme of his own. Germany has repudiated the suggestion that she instigated Austria to secure from the Sultan the Xovibazar railway concessions, thereby reviving RussoAustrian jealousy, with a tendency to cause dissent and deadlock in the Concert. Xo doubt to ease the situation, Britain, without committing herself, has professed a Benevolent neutrality to all railway schemes, with the stipulation that she will not support any of these schemes actively until the Porte agrees to an effective scheme of reform. All these events show that international contentions, by which the Sul-

tan has always profited, are as acute as ever. Sir E. Grey's scheme will probably fail to be accepted by Germany and Austria. A ixmdon cable message of 12th, March stated:—"The proposal lias created a sensation in Austria, where It is believed Sir E. Grey has alfeady eeoured the support of Russia aud Francto, and probably Italy."