The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-09-09
ON THE BRINK.

Eastern Europe Standing on the Verge oil
of Greatest War of the Century as the
Result of Russian Intrigue sud Efforts
for ACKNOWLEDGMENT -Engls.d. Turkey,
Austria, Bulgaria, Servia and Roumanla
Watching the Movements OF the Russ.
NEW YORK, Aug. 3l.-The London cor
respondent of the New York Times cabled
last night as follows: "To-night Learn
details of what the world is likely to
learn, much to its excited interest, with
in few days. The conclusion that nv
informant draws from 1t all is that the
greatest war of the century is close at
hand. The facts come in part from
gentleman who dined at Jugenheim with
Battenberg's father Saturday night, and
in part from diplomat temporarily here
for purposes of consultation. First of
all, the secret of the Franzensbad
interview, about which not q
guess has been made by single journal
of Europe, is that NJ. de Giers urged
Prince Bismarck earnestly to prevent Al
exander'S return to Bulgaria. Bismarck
declined to commit himself, took the
matter ad referandum, and shortened the
interview almost abruptly. A great
amount of telegraphing between Berlin,
Vienna, London, Rome and CONSTANT
nOple ensued, far more than the little
FranZensbad office ever dreamed of
before. Whether NJ. De Giers got an an
swer before his unexpected and hasty de-
parture is not known, but the result was
that Prince Alexander was not restrained
from going.to Bulgaria. Mr.. Lascelles,
the British Consul General, who was
spending his vacation here, started post
haste for Sofia the same night to repre-
sent English interests in the trying
time now at hand. This Is a hint that
Sir William White, who ought never to
have been removed from Constantinople,
will go there next week as temporary
aid to the slow Sir Edward Thornton.
Mr.. Lasceiles hastens, as does Prince
Alexander, TO fOrestall the fire-eater,
DOlgOruki, who is reported to Oe on the
way TO Sofa. He will be received coolly,
with strict courtesy; not affronted, not
recognized; but there is a doubt whether
he will really go to Sofia. Instead, Sc
cret information here is that he is
likely to 90 to Athens and thence to
Macedonia. 1t Is known that Russian
gold has been going in great Quantities
through Greece to foment an uprising in
Macedonia, which is expected daily. |
learn that it is believed to be certain that
the pressure of Germany, Austria and
England has gained Turkey over once
more, and that the Porte will authorize
Alexander as a tributary Prince to enter
Macedonia, subdue it, and Incorporate it
as part of his dOminiOnS held under the
Porte, with the view OF all eventual king
dom of Bulgaria. Against this plan is set
the certainty that Russia will attempt to
occupy Bulgaria. when she will be resist
ed by Austria, Turkey, Roumania, Bulga-
ria and Serva. This will enable Ger
many to hold aloOf, keep France in awe
and satisfy the Kaiser, whose scruples
have long delayed collision between
the Teuton and Muscovite. My inform
ant lays great stress upon the strength
and sufficiency of these scruples, but be-
lieves that the Kaiser, in wrath al the
piratical indignity offered TO Prince Alex
ander, has consented to let the Aus
trians and Turks undertake the task of
chastisement. In the short, heated,
diplomatic work coming, England
is believed to be ready to
assume the lead, and it Is
felt far more probable than it was on
Saturday that eventually she will take
hand in the fight. 1t is delicate thing
to predict such a vast collision. / would
not dream of doing it oil my own poor
responsibility, but it is a serious fact
that the most trusted men in the English
foreign service believe tonight that war
is inevitable. Two correspondents of
London papers start for Bulgaria to-mor-
row.