On my return to Constantinople I had other interviews at the Yildiz with His Majesty himself, and with members of the Government, all of which combined to show that Turkey is not in any way afraid of Bulgaria. The fact is, she is uncertain of the attitude of Servia and Roumania, and is rather mystified as to what Austria will do in the event of war. Relying upon Germany, and treating Great Britain with studied politeness, she views the present critical position with perfect coolness and indifference. Indeed, as Noury Pasha very justly said one day to me— “It takes a good deal to arouse us Turks, but when we are aroused, we fight—and fight to the death.” Turkey to-day is still in its lethargic state, but once aroused, who knows where the war will end, or what European complications will result? MACEDONIA [Illustration: Lake of Ochrida: Macedonia.] [Illustration: Lake of Presba: Macedonia.] CHAPTER I PLAIN TRUTHS ABOUT MACEDONIA War imminent between Bulgaria and Turkey—My secret inquiries—Atrocities by the Greek bands—Chats with the leaders of the insurrection—The truth about the intrigues in Macedonia—I visit the scene of the massacres—Stories told to me—Horrifying facts—Germany behind the assassins—A disgraceful truth. This present record of my observations in the Near East would be incomplete without some description of my journey through Macedonia, and what I saw there. The Macedonian question is the burning question of to-day, and one that can only be solved in one way—by a fierce and bloody war. As I have already shown, there is every indication that hostilities between Bulgaria and Turkey must occur in the present year. Indeed, the thread is now strained to breaking point, and one need never be surprised to learn at the breakfast-table one morning that Bulgaria has boldly thrown down the gauntlet to the Sultan. Then, aided by Roumania—who will be induced to give her support in return for that additional strip of territory between the Danube and the Black Sea, as I have already indicated in a previous chapter—a fierce and bitter struggle will commence. With Bulgaria, the Northern Albanians will ally themselves according to the words of the various chiefs of whom I made inquiry; Montenegro, and of course Servia, will hold their own against the Turk, and the result must be that the whole of the Balkans will be aflame.