The Austro-Russian scheme of reforms for Macedonia still remains unpublished,
though a month has elapsed since Count Lamsdorff and Count Goluchowski arrived at a "complete understanding" on the subject. The result of this delay is shown in dissatisfaction in Vienna and uneasiness in Sofia. The activity of the Macedonian Committee is unabated, reports have come in of conflicts between Turkish troops and Bulgarian bands in the vilayet of Monastir, and, according to the Times correspondent in Sofia, the prospect of an out- break in Macedonia in the spring is so imminent that unless the Powers speedily intervene a war between Bulgaria and Turkey may easily be precipitated. Meantime the Paris correspondent of the Times gives prominence to a plea, communicated by a pro-Turkish correspondent, for a revival of the traditional amicable relations between England and Turkey, on the singular ground that neither State has a reliable friend ! "Why," asks the writer, "should not England reflect on the advantages of having at her disposal the admirable eight hundred thousand men forming the Turkish Army ? " This astounding proposition is doubtless due to our inexplicable action in Venezuela. After backing the wrong horse twice over, why should we not do it again? We need not wonder at the Turks proposing an alliance when they see bow easily such favours are to be obtained in London. "There you have only to ask and have" is no doubt their comment on current events.
