The best guarantee of the sincerity of the Powers is
to be found in the vigorous communique published by the Official Messenger in St. Petersburg on Wednes- day, and in Vienna on the same day. After recounting the course of negotiations on behalf of the Christians from last October, and emphasising the fact that Russia and Austria had received assurances from the signatory Powers of the Berlin Treaty that they were fully prepared to support the scheme of reforms, the c,cnizanunique states that, in addition to the measures already accepted, "a careful control by Consuls under the supervision of the Ambassadors in Constantinople over the application of the reforms is to be organised in certain districts." Lastly, it is impressed on the Christians in the Balkans that, while they can count on the constant solicitude and protection of the Imperial Govern- ment, they must realise that Russia would not sacrifice a single drop of blood if the Slav States should attempt by revolutionary or violent means to change the status quo in the Balkans. This document, in which the pacific views of the Czar are plainly traceable, has gone some way to neutralise the suspicion excited by the Sultan's sudden acquiescence in the reform scheme, though, as we point out elsewhere, it is impossible not to regard that acquiescence as per se ominous in the extreme. Meantime the " Central Organisation " in Macedonia is stated to have resolved to postpone an in- surrection till August.
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