The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-16
WAR CLOUDS.

The Eastern horizon carries two war
clouds. one of which is already consider
ably larger than mans hand, and the
other is full of ominous possibilities. The
troubles in the Balkans have reached
point that it seems hardly possible for them
TO be settled without forcible intervention
by the European powers. The note ad-
dressed TO the powers by the Bulgarian
government is in the nature Of an ultima
rum that if they do not intervene imrre-
diately to prevent the further devastation
or Macedonia and massacre OF Christians,
Bulgaria will herself declare war. In eth
er case the treaty of Berlin will be ended
and the ground which was so laborieusly
traversed in 1878 will have to be gone over
again 1t has been just twenty-five years
since the treaty of Berlin was signed, the
avowed object of which was to place the
Turkish Empire in a position OF indepen-
dence and to protect the jeopardized rights
or Europe. 1t has entirely failed OF the
latter object through the weakness and
treachery OF the Turkish government, it's
failure TO institute promised reforms and
its persistent persecution of the Christians
In its suzerain provinces. There is abun-
dant cause for the present revolt of the
Macedonians. and the situation has become
so intolerable as 10 fully justify the warn
congress OF Berlin was presided over by
Prince Bismarck, the British representa-
tives were Lord Beaconsfield and Lord Sal
isbury, and the other powers were repre-
sented by statesmen of the same class. 1t
required their combined efforts to construct
the treaty which is now apparently about
10 be shattered. An equal number of Eu-
ropean statesmen of equal ability could
not be assembled now, and the abolition of
the treaty of Berlin would come near pro-
ducing political chaos.
Further East the prospect Of a clash be-
Great Britain on the other seems immi-
nent. Russia's dilatory policy relative to
the evacuation of ManchuTia, and especial
ly her last proposition for further post
ponement. has made the japanese govern
ment fighting mad, and it will probably
hiSiSl vi JOiAt dCiioH % GTtdt DTltdll III
protesting against Russias policy. A Lon
don dispatch in yesterdays Journal said:
Japan and Great Britain have exchanged
views on the latest demands made by Rus
STA on China and have decided to protest
separately TO the Peking government
against their acceptance. In case this
should prove fruitless and Russia continues
her occupation of Manchuria, Japan pro-
poses to break off her pegotiations with
Russia for a definition of their respective
rights In Manchuria and Korea and to de-
mand of the st. Petersburg government
that it order the evacuation Of Chinese ter
ritory.
Japan regards Russia's continued occupa-
ton of Manchuria as d standing menace 10
Korea and to Japan herself. and will never
rest until it is ende1 The treaty between
Great Britain and Japan. signed in January.
1902. and binding for five years, makes
them close allies in maintaining the inde-
pendence and territorial integrity of China
and Korea, and they will undoubtedly act
together in the Nanchurian question. Rus
STA is not given to retreafing. and if the
| other powers undertake to force her on:
of Manchuria there VIII be war. From all
accounts nothing would suit Japan bet
ter, but Great Britain will try to avoid il
| if she can. In both of the quarters named
4 the Uar clouds ara threatening