THE BALKAN CRISIS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3021, 19 October 1908, Page 5

THE BALKAN CRISIS.

TURKISH BOYCOTT. PARALYSING AUSTRIAN COMMERCE, CONSTANTINOPLE. Oct. 16. The Turkish boycott is paralysing Austrian commerce. Thirty of the Austrian Lloyd steamers are unable to load cr unload. Turks, Albanians, Greeks, and even Gjpsies, are all actively hostile to Austria. A leading Young Turk declares that the programme hiiggested for the conference! will prove acceptable, and that the compensation cifered to Turkey will be illusory. GERMANY'S ATTITUDE. Received October 18, 4.20 p.m. BERLIN, October 17. A r-emi official communique issued at Berlin i::dicates ti.at Germany will adopt a cool waiting attitude in regard to the conference pending Turkey's and Austria's acceptance of the programme. The Austrian and German Press ridicule tne contention that Servia and Montenegro should be compensated at Austria's expense. M. ISVOLSKY VISITS PARIS AND BERLIN. LONDON, October 16. M. Isvclsky has le. f t Lundon to visit Paris and Berlin. THE KAISER CONGRATULATES EMPEROR JOSEPH. .' AND PROMISES SUPPORT. Received October IS, 4.20 p.m. BERLIN, October 17. The Kaiser congratulated Emperor Francis Joseph on the successful annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and has promised support. Received October 18, 4.20 p.m. SOFIA, October 17. Bulgaria, replying to Germany and Austria, declined to seek Turkey's consent in connection with the railway negotiations and has again informed the Powers of her pacific disposition. Trouble in Macedonia is a phase of the Bakan problem which has been overshadowed during the week or so by other aspects of the question. Some time before the present crisis was brought about, the possibility of trouble between Turkey and the Macedonians was foreseen. The Bulgarians ir. Macedonia demanded autonomy, scholastic independence, complete equality of all people and religions, and the admission of Christians to all employments, including the Army. The "Young Turks" refused to grant these demands, holding that such radical changes could only be brought about by Parliament, which is to meet in November. Thp Sofia correspondent of "The Times" (London) reported on August 21st that it was felt that unless these questions were settled, 'a lasting reconciliation in Macedonia would be impossible. The "Spectator" regards Macedonia as the danger-spot in the new Turkish regime. It points out'that years of misrule and oppression have not broken the spirit of the people. They have the example of the success attained by men of their own race in Bulgaria, Servia and Greece, in throwing off the Turkish yoke and carving out their own destinies. The very discord pi nationalities in Macedonia itself f bas been an element in keeping alive the traditions and pride of race of the warring elements. Each race, so far from acquiesing with sombre fatalism in Turkish misgovernmert, has even had dreams of some day ruling over the Turks and the other rival races also. And now that the Committee of Union and Progress have done more to secure justice and reasonable liberty for Macedonia than for any other part of the Empire, for these reasons, it is perhaps hardly surprising to find thifts province the least grateful and the most troublesome. It is true thVvt Albanians, Greeks, Ssrvs, and Turks all gave one another the kiss of peace in the first few weeks of enthusiasm, and that the bands have nearly all ostentatiously surrendered Hilmi Pasha reported recently that 112 bands, representing 1,279 men, had come in. But it is a significant fact that few, if any, arms have been given up, that the separate national organisations are still very active, and that even the bands have not been entirely inoperative.