THERE is trouble in the Balkans. The Bulgarian Government has
demanded from Turkey the application of Article 23 of the Treaty of
Berlin, which provides for the enactment of laws adapted to local
requirements in the Turkish provinces, and has handed to the
representatives of the Powers a memorandum asking them to hasten
the progress of reform in Macedonia, where the position is alleged
to have become unbearable. The reforms which Bulgaria has in view
are the appointment of a Christian Governor-General in Macedonia,
to be nominated by the Powers and appointed by the Sultan, the
constitution of a provincial representative assembly, and the
formation of a national militia, under the command of an officer of
some minor European State. The Bulgarians are putting pressure on
their Government, which has hitherto hesitated to take resolute
action, and the leaders of the Ministerial parties now affirm that
if the Powers will not compel Turkey to grant self-government in
Macedonia, there must be a resort to force. There has been firing
between Bulgarian and Turkish frontier guards, fortunately with
little result. The situation is full of peril, and the Bulgarian
Minister at Constantinople expresses a fear that his Government may
not be able to restrain public opinion, which is a euphemism for a
resort to force.