30 DECEMBER 1905, Page 2

It is difficult to view the so-called settlement of the

question of the financial control of Macedonia otherwise than as a "climb down" on the part of the Powers, the Sultan's con- cessions having been carefully neutralised by provisions which make for procrastination and friction. Meantime we may note that the Sultan's fresh circular, stipulating for a 3 per cent. increase of the Custom-duties in Macedonia, has once more emphasised the divergent attitudes of the Powers, Great Britain having referred the Ottoman Government to its original declarations, while France, Austria, and Italy make their consent conditional on the adhesion of the other Powers, and the views of Germany have not yet transpired.