In the Lords on Friday week Lord Newton called attention
to the condition of Macedonia, thus giving the Bishop of Here- ford an opportunity of making a very striking and earnest speech on behalf of the Macedonians. This brought up Lord Lans- downe, who made a statement satisfactory as far as it goes. He entirely admitted that the Bulgarian Revolutionary Com- mittees, though blameable, would be powerless but for "the long-standing misgovernment and maladministration " of the Turks. He agreed that the stories of atrocities, though exaggerated, had probably a foundation in fact, and declared that he had directed Mr. Elliot to make a special investigation and report about them. He evidently thought the " reforms " insufficient, but said, truly enough,
that what was wanted in Macedonia was not so much exten- sive reforms as honesty in administration. He agreed that Austria and Russia, as neighbouring Powers, must be allowed to take the lead, and promised sincere support to all their efforts to benefit the unhappy province. Sir N. O'Conor had already addressed severe remonstrances to the Sultan, and had pointed out to him the anxiety of Europe and the danger to his Empire which would result from a continuance of the dis- orders. The speech will probably make some impression at Constantinople, where the Sultan greatly dreads Europe when united. Unfortunately, he dreads still more the threats of the Albanians, who expect from him an attitude of defiance to the infidel.
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