The most striking event of the week in the near
East has been the visit of the Sultan of Turkey to the Plain of Kossovo. On that plain, the scene of Amurath's great victory over the Servians in 1389 and the defeat of the Hungarians in 14-18, the Selamlik ceremony was held yesterday week. When the Sultan arrived at noon 150,000 Albanians were present, and prayers were recited by 250 mollahs. The Grand Vizier, in the name of the Sultan, then expressed his confidence in the loyalty of the Albanians and his regret at the bloodshed of last year, which was the result of ignorance and evil counsels. He announced an amnesty for the 200 Albanians condemned for participation in the outbreak, and promised to pardon those who now made their submission. He exhorted the Albanians to abandon their blood feuds, which were contrary to religion, and added that the Sultan had given £30,000 to liquidate out- standing blood debts. An amnesty was also granted to one hundred and fifty Bulgarians. The amnesty has since been proclaimed by Torgut Shevket Pasha in the Mirdite and Malissori territory, together with an announcement that the Sultan has given money for the rebuilding of houses, and the Malissori have been invited to attend a conference at Tuzi. At the same time fighting still continues at Seitchi, and the refugees on the Montenegrin border, incensed by the de- struction of their homes, show no disposition to avail them- selves of the amnesty.
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