The Ordway new era., 1908-10-09
WAR THREATENS
TO REND EUROPE
PRINCE FERDINAND DECLARES
INDEPENDENCE OF BULGARIA
AND RUMELiA.
SEIZURE BY AUSTRIA
ARMIES RUSHING TO THE FIELD
AND OTHER NATIONS MAY
BE INVOLVED.

| London.-Events which threaten to
| change the political face of Europe are
crystallizing with lightning rapidi'y.
/ Almost over night the horizon OF the
near East. which seemed gradually as
suming peaceful appearance. has be-
come crowded with var clouds.
News has reached here from several
sources that two definite strokes are
impending which cannot fail to bring
matters to n crisis. and perhaps force
an immediate war. One is the procia'
nation OF Prince Ferdinand OF the In
dependence OF Bulgaria. which Will in
clude Rumelia. taking for himself the
title OF "czar" The other Is an an
nouncement by Australia Hungary OF the
practical annexation of the provinces
of Bosnia and Herzegovina as append
ages OF the Austro oHungarian crown.
Either action will be equivalent to
the tearing up of the treaty OF Berlin.
while Prince Ferdinand's course seems
almost certain to precipitate war be
tween Bulgaria and Turkey. Before
these possibilities the quarrel over the
East Rumelian section of the Orient
railway sinks into insignificance. Both
armies are reported to be quietly and
swiftly mobilizing on the borders. Bull
garia is said TO be buying up munitions
and horses on an extensive scale.
The BulgarIans have faith In their
army. which has reached high state
OF efficiency. although II is perhaps
lacking in officers. and the -war for
pected of preparing could be fought
with more advantage for her now than
when the Turkish government had
time to reorganiZe its forces. which
have become enervated by the corrup-
tion and neglect of the old regime.
The Emperor OF Austria. II is under
stood. has dispatched a letter to the
intentions regarding Boznia and Her
zegovina. although the contents OF the
letter are kept secret. and he is send.
ing similar notes 10 the other powers.
1t seems Incredible that Emperor
Francis Joseph. who. always has been
scrupulous observer of forms. should
reveal his plans to the rulers of other
nations before he has communicated
them to his own parliament. One eX-
planation is that the letter was not in
tended for delivery until Tuesday.
when identical notes would be pre-
sented to the other powers.
While Austria's action with regard
to the provinces may not technically
be called annexation. it Is believed 1t
will amount to that, whatever 1t may
be called. Apparently the emperor is
determined That the destiny of these
provinces should be Austrian not Turk.
ish. For thirty years they have been
administered by Austria Hungary, but
they have always remained theoreti-
cally Turkish territory. and Austria
pledged that her administration should
not derogate Turkish rights.
English public opinion Is with Tur.
key in the Bulgarian dispute, as all
the powers except Austria seem to be.
and 1t remains to be seen what the
English attitude will be toward an
neNation II that becomes fact
Austria is suspected of encouraging
the recent Bulgariah:rurkish trouble
for her own interests. but the British
government has made proposals to the
two countries looking to the settlement
of the railway case. and the other pow.
ers have agreed to give support to the
plan, which contemplates the tempo
rary restoration of the railway to Tur
| key ito save her face" and then trans
ferance from tn. company to Bul
garian government.
TIE English press expressed sur
prise that Austria and Bulgaria shoult
plot against Turkey. .and asks If thu
great powers will submit to having OBJ
stacles placed in the way Of the re
generation Of Turkey.