• The news of the week from Macedonia is not
of importance. The general insurrection has broken out, but the insurgents have gained no important success and suffered no paralysing defeat. An Austro-Hungarian steamer has been blown up with dynamite while proceeding from Varna to Constanti- nople, to the destruction of twenty-seven innocent sailors; but the atrocity benefits neither side, and only testifies to the reckless and immoral despair which Turkish rule breeds among Christian subjects. Prince Ferdinand has returned to Bulgaria, but has halted at Euxinograd, where he will remain until Sofia is reported more settled ; and the Sultan has im- posed a fresh personal tax throughout his Empire to meet the expenses of the war. His troops are still unpaid, and he is calling out the Albanians, who will spare no one in the villages they attack. The destruction of Macedonia is, in fact, proceeding, and Europe cares no more than it does for the scenes being enacted upon the Congo. It could stop both, but to do so would be inconvenient, and perhaps" awaken jealousies." It was reported last week that a new Power had entered upon the scene, the Turks having murdered an American Vice- Consul at Beyrout, but the report was a mistake. They only shot at him, and though two American men-of-war have been sent to Beyrout, they can do nothing.
