Show BALFOUR ON TURKEY Premier Discusses Macedonian Macedon-ian Situation PROBLEM A DIFFICULT ONE English Leader Analyzes Conditions Con-ditions in Balkans Christian Population Rent Into Prng ments by Differences of Race and Religion London Sept 25 Premier Balfour In a lengthy letter to the Archbishop oC Canterbury Dr Davidson discusses the Macedonian situation The letter is i a reply to the Archbishops action in drawing attention 1 to the t growing uneasiness un-easiness among churchmen at t the apparent ap-parent apathy oC IhcT powers while unspeakable atrocities t are perpetrated in Macedonia HORROR AND INDIGNATION Mr Balfour says he is In entire sympathy sym-pathy with t the t feelings of horror and indignation and fully understands the desire to Rive expression In I public meeting to the sentiment of reprobation which recent events Justified Mr Hal 1 four then proceeds to analyze the situation situ-ation He says ANALYZES SITUATION We have not to deal with a sample of mlsgovernment or oppression by Turkish ottilclals but with a problem complicated by the fact that the Christian Chris-tian population of Macedonia is rent In fragments by differences of race aggravated aggra-vated by differences of religion and In addition to the Ills inflicted by a corrupt cor-rupt and Incapable administration and by an Illpaid and undisciplined soldiery and by a detestable system of taxation we have to reckon with all the ills which in a population not Imbued with i Western ideas of humanity rival nationalities na-tionalities and sects do not scruple to Inflict on one another CONCERT OF EUROPE Mr Balfour adds The Instrument whereby the situation may be dealt with Is I the concert of Europe But this tven were they all in harmony Is necessarily slow and may easily be ineffective if the problem is complex It was a matter of speculation when Russia and Austria acJtlng with the authority of Europe proposed to press the scheme of reforms which while lacking in theoretical perfection came within 1 the circuit of mctlcnl > I politics and would if more earnestly pressed by the t I Porte and more frankly ac cepted ny the Macedonian population have spared the world the horrors It has since witnessed Neither of these conditions were fulfilled I THE PORTE FAILED The Porte as usual was dilatory and failed to see that a policy of humanity hu-manity was a policy of wisdom The revolutionists IIILVC deliberately done their best to drive the Turk to excesses and furnish him with an excuse for deferring de-ferring the execution of reforms meeting meet-ing horrors with honors and brutality with brutality for the deliberate purpose pur-pose of driving the Turk to crimes against the Innocent and thus play upon up-on the sympathies of the world Such methods as these are not more morally tolerant I than the miJgoernment t which is their excuse ATTITUDE OF ENGLAND Coming to the question of the attitude atti-tude of Great Britain Mr Balfoui points out that Russia Austria and Turkey cannot be Indifferent to a territorial terri-torial redistribution In i the peninsula while Greece Bulgaria Servla and Roumunia are nil interested in the fate of the province whose Christian population pop-ulation is made ur > from ill their nationalities na-tionalities These external compllca > Lions arc doubled by i internal ones bemuse be-muse of religious differences the Mo ball inecans fearing Christian rule I while the exarchlsts and Christians Persecute partlarchists the Greeks who are partiarchislH would sooner line protection under the rule of the Sul tan than be left to light the matter with the Bulgarians who are exarchisls HOPE FOil POWERS till is with a problem such as this that one has to deal says Mr Balfour Bal-four and I cannot but believe tha the best hope of dealing with It lies In the continued cooperation > of Russh and Austria strengthened with the support and aided by the advice oC the other signatories of the Berlin treaty WHAT HE ASSERTS These countries nosfeSH Mr Balfour assorts Incomparable Influence over 1 the antagonistic forces in the peninsula In fact no other nation or group of nations na-tions could do It at all If Russia and Austria were hostile Great Brltah was not precluded by the policy outlined out-lined J from offering suggestions which hud already been done and she v 11 continue to do FO But It would be loll > to forget that there arc occasions when tWo powers are stronger than three and that an addition to the numbers carries a diminution of efficiency HOPE OF IMPROVEMENT These principles concludes Mr Balfour Bal-four direct the policy of the Brltisl government In the near East and he huts no doubt that they are In accord ancu with British Interests and In obedience obe-dience to them lies the best hope or Improving the condition of the Mace donlan and the security of European peace |