The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-01
Decisive Action Expected Shortly.

rCopyright 1857 by the New York Associated Press
BERLIN, Dec. 31.-The year closes without
the relations between Russia and the allied pow
ers showing any symptoms of amelioration.
The situation has become OF the greatest
perplexity. which nothing less than some
thoritative deliverance from the Gar the
Kaiser can clear up. If the New Years imperial
receptions pass over unmarked by explicit decla-
rations giving of peace, it will be held
as certain that diplomacy has failed to check
the progress toward an open rupture. The
Cologne Gazette has vague
nouncement that mutual explanations will
soon be made which promise to avert
all danger of war, but reliable advices
from St. Petersburg deny that there is the
slightest change in ths tension of affairs Gen.
Won Schweinitz, the German ambassador to
Russia, has had frequent interviews with NJ De
Giers Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs one
result of which has been arrangement for
the publication of the forged documents, but
Judging from the tenor of article published
in the North German Gazette the interviews
have left the situation unimproved. Something
is hoped to result from the prospective mission
of Herr Won Kallay, Austrian Minister OF
Finance, to ST. Petersburg His visit appears to
be dependent upon the Cars reception of the
proposals transmitted through Prince Labanoff.
the revision of the treaty of Berlin The
Russian press concur in declaring that il these
proposals imply the definite absorption of Bos-
MIA into Austria Russia will never consent. No
decisive diplomatic issue is expected before the
middle of January. After that events will de-
velop with electric rapidity. The concentration
pended. The whole country lies deep in snow
and ice. The roads blockaded and railway
traffic is retarded. Galica is in similar condi-
ton. If an order were given tomorrow for the
mobilization of the Austrian troops, it would be
impossible to execute it except within small
radius of Vienna, but a few weeks hence, when
10
OF the country Is settled into Its
winter hardness. military operations could
be easily effected. 1t is the opinion of military
authorities that Austria and Germany will agree
upon winter as the best time for campaign in
Poland. and that il war must be it should either
commence in February or be deferred until
June While the movements of troops in Po-
land are ceasine, forces are being concentrated
in Bessaraba, and this fact leads to the belief
that Russia either dstrusts Roumanian neutral
ity or has other plans than campaign III Cali
cia. The forces massed along the Bender
and Odessa lines are estimated at Co.
600 men, and the stations crowded
with troops and artillery transports. Several
corps in southern Russia already fully
modified and echenoed along the Pruth and
Dniester rivers and the railways convereing to
Roumania The Black sea fleet Is being hur-
riedly equipped for active service. Four gun
boats have been sent to the Kila OF the
Danube and numerous hotiila of vessels
designed for river service is being concentrated
at Odessa. TIE formidable extent of these prep
arations gives rise to the suspicion that the
Gear contemplates a sudden descent upon Bull
garia, while acting the defensive towards
Galicia. Reports emanaring from Paris attrlb
ute to the Gear the int ent;on to an
nounce peace or war on the Russlan
New Years day. and war is predicted as Russias
choice. In discussing the issues the Russian
press confidently assumes the defeat of the Aus
TRANS. Gregor De Wolan, recently Russian
consul at Pesth, publishes a brochure, under the
permission of the ST. Petersburg censor lpre
dieting that Hungary will become a Russian
province. A map shows Hungary part of
Russia. all the towns having Slavonc names.
The pam phlet, which is quoted by the Hungarian
trament of war. NJ Labanoff, in interview
with Count Kalnoky, to-day, repeated his re-
cent pacific declarations. He stated that agrees
sive designs were foreign to Russias policy, but
no specific importance is attached to these assur-
ances while the military position remains I'M
chn