The text of the new plan for the pacification of
Macedonia 'has been-published after being subniitted to 'the Sultan. It -contains nine ' points,' the principal of . which are the first, second, -and third.' Under the first 'Austro-RUssian agents are to accompany Hilmi Pasha " everywhere," to "report to him abuses, andto transmit all information to the Embassies at •
Constantinople. They may appoint , Dragomans 'and other -agents, who will travel in the interior, talk to the Christian villagers, and collect information. Under the' second the gendarmerie is to be reorganised under "a:General -of foreign nationality in the' service of the Ottoman Government," who 'may have foreign officers at his disposal. Under the 'third 'and fourth the judicial. and administrative systems are to be • reorganised, and the areas of jurisdiction made more conter- minous with the -various nationalities. Provisions are' also made for various "Mixed-Commissions of Inquiry," and for the repatriation of the refugees, while all 'Reservists' and Bashi- bazbuks are to be withdrawn: -We have diactissed. these pro- posals elsewhere, but 'may mention here that they give ' little satisfaction in Sofia; while in Constantinople they are regarded ' as attacks on the Sultan's independence. Abd,u1-Hamid, how- ever, has not rejected them, . but " wishes to know " whether the Western Powers do not consider them too' favourable to Austria and Russia. He will, probably soon discover 'many loopholes in them justifying endless negotiation, and then others rendering them abortive.' His-Ministers object to thein altogether, but le 'himself is reported to be very sick; f . ,
