by The Maitland Weekly Mercury, Sat 28 Sep 1907, Page 13

One of the most ‘pungent bits of journalistic literature during the month (says ‘life’) is Mr Harold Spender’s description of the state of things in Macedonia, in the London ‘Daily Chronicle’:

‘It is the most amazing thing in the world today.’ A whole’ piece of Europe is relapsing into primitive anarchy. While the Powers are ingeminating peace at the -Hague’, a great country, at the other end of their estates, is falling back into utter and horrible barbarism. Over a territory of 44,000 square miles massacre has become a virtue and deeds of nameless ferocity a form of competing’ patriotism. Secure in her material comforts, Europe looks on placidly at the murder and torture of innocent peasants.

‘The news from Macedonia grows worse every day. Favoured by Turkey, the Greek bands, splendidly financed and organised—often amounting to over 500 men— have bribed and massacred Macedonia into an acquiescent Hellenism. In two years they have ‘Hellenised’ 120 villages by methods that have given terrible new meaning to an ancient word. The Macedonians, who have still clung to the Slav interest and faith, have either been killed, imprisoned or have fled. There are some 300,000 Macedonian refugees in Bulgaria. Greece has won — if to do the work of Turkey can really be a lasting Victory for Greece.

‘But now’ that Bulgaria has been beaten back by this ‘ weird and unholy combination: new forces have entered the field. In March last, the Turks made an arrangement with Servia by -which she should be allowed to send bands into Macedonia. For weeks past Servian bands have been trickling across the frontier, invading these- wretched, harassed villages of Macedonia, and crying to the villagers ‘Call yourselves Servians or — — ‘ It is like an election into which a third candidate has’- entered, unasked and unannounced. The disturbance is spreading over the whole Balkan area. It is not merely Greece and Bulgaria.; that are wholly and, Servia that is partly’ involved. Roumania is also being drawn in. She has also sent in bands and is alleged to be about to send more under a compact with Greece.

‘In these troubled waters, the Sultan is serenely fishing, secure of his prey. Whatever’ happens, lie stands to gain. ‘Tie quarrels of the Infidels open out to him vistas of hope — not merely hope of retaining Macedonia, but possibly of weakening the whole power of Christianity in the Near East.

Russia is paralysed by revolution. Austria has her home troubles and wishes only that the fruit may remain ripe for her picking when she has leisure. England is far off and he now knows the value of her anathemas.

Whatever happens plays into the hands of Abdul Hamid. His astute diplomatists pass from capital to capital— from Athens to Belgrade and Belgrade to Rustchuk – stirring up mutual strife and envy, playing upon the nerves of hot-headed, anxious men, offering them prospects that will never be fulfilled. If it all works for his purposes— it all diminishes the Christians in the world. He had to kill, his Armenians himself. Not in his wildest dreams could the Sultan have ever possibly hoped for such an easy vicarious method for the killing of his Macedonians.

‘Such is the fate of one of the fairest provinces of Europe, while the diplomatists stand aside and smile their sinister Bismarckian smile. That smile does not always last. You may laugh when your neighbour’s house is on fire, even if it be only a hovel; but what if’ the wind rises and the flames spread to you ‘? What if you are also the part landlord of the property?

This is not a mere out-of-the-way corner of Europe. It is a country of three and a half millions of people, covering ‘ 4.4,000 square miles. It’ impinges on The great Mediterranean highway. It has an ancient and glorious history. It might become, under good rule, one of the fairest gardens of Europe. It would have become so by now if England had not .stepped in, in 1878, and by vetoing the Treaty of San Stefano, handed Macedonia back .-‘..to Turkey. We handed Macedonia back, but we handed her back under conditions of good government, which have never been carried out.

‘At present, it is not merely the Eastern States that are being made a mock of by Turkey, it is the Western Powers also. There are actually present in Macedonia, officially accredited by their Governments, but reduced to the position idle spectators by the diplomacy of Turkey, military officers from four great Powers. England, Italy, Austria, and France are idly looking on; through the eyes of their appointed gendarmerie, at the chaos of Macedonia. They are there to show the Mohammedan world how vain; is the strength of the infidel, and how ridiculous his pretensions to authority. The present position, in a word, lies the danger of public ridicule. We have not stood aside. We have intervened. But we have intervened in such a manner as to make ourselves a laughing stock to the Eastern world.’

The Tragedy at Macedonia: A EUROPEAN SCANDAL by The Maitland Weekly Mercury, Sat 28 Sep 1907, Page 13

Editorial above was first published by The Maitland Mercury- it is Australia’s third oldest regional newspaper, preceded only by the Geelong Advertiser (estab. 1840) and the Launceston Examiner (est. 1842). The Maitland Mercury was established in 1843 when it was called The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser. The Maitland Mercury is still in circulation serving the city of Maitland and the surrounding Lower Hunter Valley.

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