The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-04-21
MEANING OF SERVIA'S COUP.

Away out west here we are not sup
posed to take much interest in European
affairs, but az the coup d'etat in Servia
may be the forerunner of a general Eu-
ropean war, it is worthy of passing
notice. On the day that the young king,
Alexander, assumed the reins of power
his mother. the ex.queen Natalie, was
taking luncheon with the czar of Russia
in the Crimea. Nobody believes that AL
exander acted wholly on the strength OF
his own nerve, and the European powers
know that his cue came from the great
Muscovite power that expects one day
soon to use Servia as a stepping stone to
Constantinople.
A marriage between the grand duchess
Xenia, elder daughter Of the car and
Alexander is said to have been arranged
already, and it is quite evident that the
car regards the young sprlg Of royalty
in the Aalkan province as a protege, and
as a possible ally who can be of consid-
cradle value when the final blow Of
Romanoff ambition is to be struck.
The pressure of the Russian ruling
class is 80 heavy and constant N the
car for the overthrow of the Turks that
the despot will never enjoy one moments
peace until another war has been pre-
cipitated to this end. No race has a
clearer idea of the European situation
than the Russians, and yet they COM
prehend that their manifest destiny is in
the direction of conquest, and that Con-
stantinople IS not only the key to Europe,
but TO Asia also. For years they have
been painting for this prize on the Bos-
phorus. When it has been almost within
their grasp ENGLAND and the other Eu-
ropean powers have interfered to balk
them at the critical moment. There
fore the tendency of Russian diplomacy
at all times is toward a condition of af-
fairs which shall, in a measure, tie the
hands of England. Every nation west
of the present boundaries of Russia re-
CARDS as a menace to itself the encroach-
ments of the Muscoute power, and this
is why England can always count on so
much aid, moral and material, whenever
she manages to check the inevitable ad-
vance on Constantinople.
Many of the best political prophets be-
lieve that the long expected crisis is
zeal at hand. Russia's preparations
have been pushed with energy ever since
the bitter termination OF the last war
with Turkey. Nobody outside of Russia
has any notion of the extent of these
preparations-nobody indeed, who snot
in the confidence Of the czar's govern
ment. The Russians believe that they
are of Il character to assure success in
spite of all that England can do, and all
Europe feels that at his next attempt the
czar will drive the Turks back INTO Asia.
The conditions have greatly changed
since the last war, and it seems prob
able now that England may be compel.
led to stand aloof in order to hold her
own in india and Egypt. The manner
of Britain's interference in 1878 was a
surprise to Russia because the car had
been purposely misled by the English
diplomats; but such contingencies will
be carefully guarded against tho next
time, and the surprises OF the occasion
may be inflicted by Russia.
In the midst of disorders that threat
en- serious trouble to our own beloved
country, we may readily appreciate the
feelings in Europe where millions Of
soldiery are anxiously awaiting a call tc
| arms,