File No. 767.70/26.
[Untitled]
Constantinople, October 14, 1912.
The reply of the Turkish Government to the joint note of the Ambassadors says that the necessity for reforms in European Turkey had already been recognized, and that the Turkish Government expects to apply them without foreign interference; that if attempts at reform heretofore made have failed it is due to the disturbing machinations of agitators whose object is apparent; that the Turkish Government is grateful for the friendly intention of the Powers and will associate itself with them to avert conflict, and firmly intends to execute the law of 1880, although it doubts the binding force of Article 23 of the Treaty of Berlin when many other articles thereof have been carried out against the treaty’s letter and spirit. The reply further says that it would be unjust to impute to the constitutional administration the faults of the old régime.
The Bulgarian Minister to-day delivered a note giving Bulgaria’s peace terms: autonomy of the three Macedonian provinces; Swiss or Belgian governors general; elective provincial assemblies; gendarmerie; free education; milice; the application to be intrusted to Christians and Moslems in equal number in a superior council under supervision of the great Powers and the Balkan States through their representatives at Constantinople; these reforms to be put in force within six months and demobilization ordered as proof of assent.