The Joint Note which, according to Friday's news, was presented
to the Porte on Thursday evening, and which will be discussed by the Council of Ministers to-day, is of much too weak a kind to satisfy the Balkan League. It merely speaks of discussing a scheme of reform for European Turkey " governed by the spirit of the law of 1880 and involving no breach of the territorial integrity of the Ottoman Empire." Turkish opinion in regard to reforms is shown by an article in the Tanin : " When we hear them [the Powers] using the word reforms,' we tremble, understanding that they simply wish to devour us. History tells us that reforms have always been the precursors of calamity for our Empire. . . . If the Powers take the reform scheme in hand, we shall be convinced that they propose a new crusade to rob us of Macedonia."
