The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-24 00:00:00

SERVIA.

Austrian and German papei; have spoken a great
deal of the disagreement between Servia and Turkey,
and have proclaimed an approaching contest as an
indisputable Eta. Not a word of all this is true.
The good understanding has not been interrupted
one moment.

It is true that the Porte did not agree to the abso-
lute neutrality of Servia, and demanded the removal
of the Russiim consul Musehin. But this did not
lead to any rupture : the Servian government ac-
knowledged that the Porte was only making use of
its rights, and induced the consul to take his depar-
ture. The latter, it must at the same time be ac-
knowledged, yielded at once to the representations
of Prince Alexander, and declared that it was far
from his wish that his presence should be the cause
of conflict.

False are therefore the statements of Servia's op-
position to Turkey ; and false, too, is the other
statement that the Divan has demanded a free pas-
sage for Turkish troops through the Servian terri-
tory. Turkey has always acknowledged that the
treaties and firmans would not admit of her making
such a demand.

It is clear with what method the enemies of Ser-
via are working to place that country in a false
position and create suspicion.
The part which Austria is playing is at least
very equivocal, and causes much anxiety. The
Vienna newspapers take great pains to trumpet
forth Austria's power and regard for Servia. The
Austrian government is said to have promised the
Servians its support against Turkey. The Austrian
consul in Belgrade is said to have hindered the
l'aeha from bombarding the town. These are
absolute untruths. beryls has never demanded
aid from Austria; the Paella has never threat.
ened Belgrade with a bombardment. It is
plain that the Austrian government does all
in its power to make the world believe it is the
proper and true protector of Servia. An Austrian
corps is collected on the borders of this country, and
Europe is given to understand that this is done ac-
cording to the wish of the Servian government, to
secure the country from the inroads of the Turks.
This is entirely false. There is no fear of a Turkish
invasion. The Prince has lever asked aid of Austria.
What is, then, the reason of this concentration of
troops ? They are certainly not destined to act
against Russia, and it is not a mere matter of parade.
In the present state of Austria's finances, this corps
trarmee on the borders of Servia can only show that
the Austrian government has important ob-
jects to gain. Are these troops destined to
act against Servia and Turkey ? It is high
time that the press of Eogiand should take
up this question, and urge the cabinet to demand a
clear and explicit answer from Austria. How is it,
with the so-called neutrality of Austria, when it is
threatening to take military possession of a Turkish
province?—for that Servia undoubtedly is, despite
its otherwise abnormal position. Has Austria
official and secret politics? Is there not a secret
agreement with Russia? Of course there is; for the
Austrian Emperor fears Russia less than his own
peoples. Have France and England been told the
purport of this Austrian concentration of troops? Poli-
tical Machiavelism was never more rampant than in
this Turkish question. Against its will Turkey has
become the champion of the liberals. The govern-
ments know this, and therefore fear the success of
the Turks. They hope that in the spring the Turks
will be obliged to sue for peace, for want of means to
carry on the war.