The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-27
BALKANS ALLSERENE
England Convinced Peace Is
Not Threatened.
RECENT LOAN GOOD PACIFIER
Seems to Have Brought Country to
support of Prime MiniSter-No I'm
mediate Danger as Result of Ser
Wan SituatiOn-FrictiOn with Bull
garia Largely Artificial.

London, Jan. 25-Reliable information
IS at hand to the effect that after care
tuI investigation, the British foreign office
has become convinced that there is 10
immediate danger TO the Balkan peace as
result of the Servian situation. In fact,
1t is understood that the successful carry
ing Of the recent loan has soIidihed the
position Of Prime Minister PasIcs. who
besides having a majority in the ParIia-
ment, appears TO have the country at his
back The malcOntents are mostly con
fined to Belgrade, where the customs war
with Austria Hungary is felt by the
middlemen, and the irritation is encour-
aged by numerous resident Austrian mer-
chants. The peasantry are but very
slightly affected. and are prepared TO
support the government to the uttermost
in freeing them from commercial subserv-
fence TO Austria-Hungary. The friction
with Bulgaria is largely artificial and
arises also partly from sort Of jealousy
IN that country at the measure of COM
mercial independence which is likely to
be gained by Seryia in the near future.
It may be that there are still few
dangerous elements ObstrUcting the path.
but they are not sufficiently strong TO
cause anxiety to the government or 10
warrant apprehension abroad
The Lokal Anzelger, Of Berlin. pub
fishes a statement from a WelI-informed
source. according TO which there can be
no questisn of any organized conspiracy,
but there exists a feeling of discomfort
arising from the fact that the Kara
geOrgevich dynasty has not succeeded in
taking root in Servia and from the be
haviOr of the crown prince How this dis
content viii express itself it is impossi-
bic to f0Tesee. but the present state Of
things viii doubtless suffer change.
though it must be affirmed that Servians
themselves recou from the idea Of
second regicide-
II is hardly 20 be believed, adds the
journal. that a British prince would ac-
cept the crown, and as for a German
prince accepting it, such possibility does
not exist Moreover, Germany recognizes
that it was King Peters earnest intention
TO bring about settled conditions. and she
has 10 look to the economic consolidation
Of Servia. Owing to the amount Of Ger
man capital interested in the country.
Germanys attitude must necessarily be
directed 10 furthering the peace Of the
Balkans
Now that the reductions in Great Brit
aims regular army are nearly completed
and the full effect of the changes is be-
ing experienced in the service. complaints
are heard from all sides. AS a matter of
fact, it can safely be said that never
before has so large a number Of British
army officers been 50 dissatisfied as is
the case at pregnL
The general effect. OF the reductions. il
IS now certain. will be ruinous to those
who belong 10 tine reduced regiments.
Those corps who have parted with two
out OF four batialions have now twice as
many officers as they need. The career
OF many officers viii practically be ter
minated, so far as promotion is concerned.
and that disability viii carry with it the
double penalty OF a smaller retiring al
lOWance than their present service on
titles them TO expect
Some excellent senior majors cannot
hope 20 command battaliOns in the ordI-
nary course OF events, and the CAPTAINS
at the head Of the regimental lists have
as many as fifteen majors in front of
them. instead OF eight This practically
lnSuTcS early retirement for some of
those who, in the ordinary course, could
have looked TO obtaining IT the very least
a majority or to commanding a battalion
The sUbalteTns are also faced with 4 long
career Of stagnauon, and the majority
viii be gray-haired before they approach
the top of the captains list.
This curtailme1t OF professional pros
Lects without chance OF redress OF. COM
pensatiOn is regarded as unjust to the
officers, who being in receipt of made
quate rates Of pay. have right 10 ex-
poet a competence on retirement; and il
is considered generally to be Unwise also.
as the active creation of some hundreds -
dissatisfied officers VIII react against
parents sending their sons up to qualify
for 50 insecure a career.
In addition TO the line reductions, the
West India Regiment is being reduced by
half, and the officers are 20 be absorbed
into other battaliols These viii further
crowd The resimcntal lists, and, despite
the fact that India has been allowed 350
extra officers. none Of the cases OF IN
doubted hardship has been dealt with by
transfer to the general list Of the Indian
army as special case.
The officers Of the cOngested corps are