AFFAIRS IN MACEDONIA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 905, 2 April 1908, Page 5

AFFAIRS IN MACEDONIA.

CABLE NEWS.

ILUoited'Fresß Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.

BULGARIAN BANDS TO BE DISSOLVED. ; Received April 1, 7.55 a.m. LONDON, March 31. :Tbe .Macedonia Congress decided • to. dissolve all Bulgarian bands in Macedonia. Towards the close of last year the <Powera.,-gave Turkey clearly to under- ' standt that there must be reform ot ' the [judicial system in Macedonia. /The tfJorte hurriedly prepared a scheme which provided higher pay and greater security of tenure for the ijudges, but avoided the question of independent supervision. The Powers, (however,iinsisted upon independent control, ,and the matter remained in statu qwo. The gendarmerie proposal of Sir Edward Grey for the suppression of the bands is not likelj to be I < unanimously supported by the Powers, judging by a statement made on January 30th in the King's Speech at the opening of the Austrian Parliament. The passage runs: "Other proposals have also been.made for the suppression of .these bands. Their effect is that the re-organised gendarmerie should be more freely employed. We have discussed this .idea especially with ,the (English Government. We have studied the matter very thoroughly, but .have come to a negative conclusion. It appears unpractical. Its development .wfiyjld therefore require much time and money; nor do I believe,that we should bo sure of the Sultan's assent. TThere remains nothing but to await .the of ;the bandb by Turkey."

SIR jB. igREY'S PROPOSALS. ;NOT TO BE WITHDRAWN. Received April 1, f1.1.20 a.m. LONDON, March 31. Sir Edward Grey, British Secretary for Foceign Affairs, <does not intend to withdraw his Macedonian re-

form proposals. ■Tin the course of a speech in the House of Commons, Sir Edward Grey said ithat as far .as railways flavoured trade they had Britain's goodwill. He trusted that the Nuvi Bizar schetKW would not lead to difficulties. Britaio was prepared to relinquish her gendarmes scheme if a better one was suggested. He was certain that if concert were determined the question could the settled by a Turkish Governor of capacity and character known to t&e Powers and irremovable for a term of years. He should be given a free hand to secure an effective administration. If the appointment were accompanied by a reduction of Turkish troops a collective guarantee should be given that Turkey's dominions would not be interfered with from outside. The danger was not that the Powers were likely to quarrel, but that concert wag likely to perish from lack of vitality. The condition of Macedonia, if neglected, might precipitate a catastrophe, but this was preventable by union and determination in concert, which the Government would continue to do its utmost to secure.