The two Powers " immediately interested" in Macedonia appear determined
to defeat the Sultan's policy of delay. Their Dragoman called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs on December 26th to inform him that if he did not apply to Italy at once for a new Chief of Gendarmerie, they themselves would apply direct to Rome. It was understood informally that the reply must be prompt,-and accordingly the Minister. submitted and the reply will at once be sent. The Powers are most anxious that the " reforms " should be in visible. opera - tion by the spring, so that the revolutionary leaders should have no excuse for a renewed outbreak ; but the two Civil Commissioners who are to accompany and control Hilmi Pasha are not yet appointed, and the Sultan is expected to throw fresh obstacles in the way, which, in the event of a Russian war with Japan, will grow more and more difficult to overcome. The revolutionaries, consequently, now insist that nothing short of a Christian Viceroy for Macedonia would provide a permanent guarantee for good treatment, and refuse to
suspend preparations for a rising in the spring. They are right enough in their view ; but they forget, as the Sultan also does, that any grave Russian embarrassment would leave Austria free to act, that Austria is keenly interested in the future of Macedonia, and that Austria could occupy the province in irresistible force as rapidly as Russia, and with heartier support from the signatories of the Treaty of Berlin.
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