New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-24
AMONG THE NATIONS.

The last week has been marked with an
unusual number of international incidents OF
| considerable interest. An observer from Mars
might imagine that Russia and Japan having
retired from the centre of the stage which they
| have held so long, the other powers, great and
small. have come forward with a rush to play
| their parts in the Iimelight- Some of their
doings have been gratifying and some have
been deplorable, but none Of the latter seem to
| threaten serious results.
Greece and Rumania, for example, have
| wrought their quarrel up to the point Of sew
! ering diplomatic relations. The Greeks seem,
| on the face of it, to have had good deal Of
| provocation. but there is probably much to be
| said on each side The quarrel would scarcely
| in any circumstances lead to war, for Greece,
after having been so badly beaten by Turkey
a few years ago. would not hastily challenge
| the overwhelming force Of the great Danubian
kingdom. AS it is, they could not fight if they
wanted to. for they could not get at each other.
Neutral territory divides them, and neutral
waters divide their coasts. They will growl at
each other from behind their next friends. per-
haps for weeks, perhaps for years, and then
re-estabIsh direct and friendly relations.
Sweden and Norway, on the other hand, have
come to an amicabe and admirable agreement,
as we have from the first confidently assumed
they would do In this day of absorption and
consolidation Of states as well of bust
nesSes, it is a novelty to have a new sover
eighty introduced into the family Of nations.
This newcomer, however is worthy and is well
come. Norway is small in population and is
by no means rich in money. But her people
are sturdy, progressive. thrifty and enlightened,
her commerce is enormous and her place among
the nations will not be a mean one. Best Of
ALL there is an assured prospect Of such con
tinUed cooperation between the two peninsu-
lar nations as win make their strength in sepa-
ration actually greater than it was in union.
Affairs in Austria Hungary, or perhaps we
should say in Hungary alone, maintain an omi-
nous aspect. The much expected meeting Of
the King with the Hungarian opposition lead
erS has taken place, apparently without result.
The King is willing to concede every point
save those which he considers essential, and
the Hungarians are willing to do the same.
But they both consider precisely the same
points essential, and neither seems ready to
yield an iota upon them. In designating an
Hungarian to continue the negotiations with the
Hungarian leaders, instead Of an Austrian the
King has taken a step toward Cancellation, but,
after ALL measures, not men, are at issue, and
an agreement upon measures seems as remote
as it a month ago
There Is another assurance that France and
Germany have reached an understanding about
Morocco, which is probably true. After the
concessions already made by France, they
certainly ought to act in accord. Meantime,
France has another petty annoyance on hand /
in South America. President Castro is reported
to be acting badly, even to defying France to |
join issues in war, and to be making vigorous |
preparations land and for a defensive |
If not an aggressive, military campaign. The |
almost inevitable touch of opera bouffe is sup |
piled, however by the fact that. while he is /
supposed to be arming against France, he is |
purchasing his supplies of arms in France! |
On the whole. we do not expect that the |
mutitudinous seas will be incarnadined in the |
region of the Caribbean.
These and other movements now in progress
in and among various countries national and |
International foreshadow material changes in
the constitution of more than one continent. |
These are likely however, to be effected with
out any important disturbance of that peace
which the Treaty of Portsmouth has given to
the world.