The Sofia correspondent of the Times also reports the nature
of the electoral programme prepared by the Young Turks at Salonika. It is believed to propose the readjustment of the Administrative areas of Macedonia, the details being left to Parliament. It advocates the giving of primary instruction in the schools of the various nationalities, but of secondary and higher education in the mixed schools. This apparently means the suppression of the gymnasia belonging to the various nationalities, and if so it will no doubt be resisted. Technical schools are promised. The ecclesiastical privileges of the various communities will be respected. Universal military service will be introduced. According to statements which have reached Paris, European control is to be abolished. The desire of a Constitutional people to rule itself is, of course, perfectly right and natural, but we must express the hope that no attempt will be made to reduce to impotence or remove the European institutions in Macedonia until the Constitutional authorities have made it clear that they can rule firmly and dispense indifferent justice. Caution should be oue of their mottoes, and the peremptory removal of a sympa- thetic means of co-operation would surely be highly incautious. The Powers of Europe will feel compelled for some time at least to maintain the capitulations. We note, however, that the Austro-Hungarian Government, to the general surprise, has decided to give its gendarmerie officers in Macedonia a prolonged furlough. We regret to record the death of Redjib Pasha, the new Minister of War. By universal report he was a good soldier and an enlightened and scrupulous administrator whose loss to the Empire is likely to be felt very deeply.
