The Macedonian Crisis by L. A. S.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 31, 1903

The Macedonian Crisis

By L. A. S.

The Literary Digest quotes in a recent issue from a number of European journals statements designed to throw

light on the subject of the rise and development of the present Macedonian crisis. According to the London Daily News, the present situation had its beginning in disregard of the treaty of San Stefano. This treaty “handed over a considerable part of Macedonia to Bulgaria,” but “England and Lord Beaconsfield stepped in and handed her back to the Turk, who since that period has been pillaging and murdering at will.” At one time “a dramatic and powerful union between Greece and the Balkan States seemed inevitable;” but “the material ambitions of Germany and the selfish and short-sighted indifference of Russia” spoiled the plot, and “Macedonia was thrown again ‘into the sullen furnace of her afflictions.’”

The Macedonian peasants, according to the Edinburgh Review, are left to choose between rebellion and utter ruin. They are crushed under an awful burden of taxation, which is made worse by the extortion of Turkish tax collectors, who administer the system “with savage disregard for decency.” “Robbery is another cause of impoverishment. The peasant is plundered not only by professional brigands and outlaws, but by the very persons who are paid to protect him. No sooner is he out of sight of the karakol, or wayside guard station, where he has been forced to leave part of the produce which he carries to market, than he is as likely as not to fall in with some of the numerous gangs of Albanian ruffians, who, armed to the teeth, roam about the country for booty.” But “all these grievances wax pale before the terrible pest of brigandage, which has done more than anything else to bring the country to its present state of desolation.”

As explanatory of the attitude of the powers toward the Macedonian situation the London Times says:—

The deliberate purpose of Russia is to foster the disintegration of the Ottoman empire. The protectorate which she is gradually assuming over the Christian populations of Turkey is detrimental to the established rights of France, and prevents any cordial co-operation between her and her ally. Germany, bent on securing material advantages, is ready to tolerate the worst excesses of Turkish misgovernment, provided she attains her ends. Austria, paralyzed by internal dissensions, is only too thankful to see things remain as they are.

It is believed by some journals that an influence against an equitable settlement of the Macedonian ferment is being exerted by Austria. By others this is denied. But all agree that “a crucial difficulty must present itself when the spring season has advanced sufficiently to enable the revolutionary bands to arouse the Macedonian population.” Time will soon lift the veil from future scenes which may be of momentous interest to the world. L. A. S.