The stories from the East are not peaceful. The insurrection
in Bosnia has assumed larger proportions, and the incessant out- rages on the population are exciting them to madness. The tax-gatherers visit the villages followed by Bashi-Bazouks, and if the exactions are not instantly paid the irregulars are let loose, just as is done in Roumelia, where in a village 50 miles from Salonica, the tax-gatherers' followers violated the women, and tortured the men with impunity. There is no redress whatever except in the sword, and accordingly, Colonel Despotovich, one of the ablest of the Servian leaders, has taken the command of the Bosnian insurgents. Meanwhile, the Prince of Monte- negro absolutely refuses to modify his demand or to agree to an extension of the armistice beyond the 23rd inst., and Safvet Pasha, with equal obstinacy, refuses to accept the conditions. It is by no means certain that the Prince is acting in this matter under Russian orders, as his followers are determined that their victories shall not be unfruitful, but it is certain that if he recommences war, Russian peace-making will be much more difficult. Nikita is in many ways the repre- sentative Slav, and has ardent friends far outside his own mountains.
