The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1908-10-15
THE EASTERN SITUATION.
Austria -Hungary's Conception of
a Treaty.
Baltimore Sun.

1t was a New York Congress-
man, we believe, the representa-
tive of a typical Tammany dis
trict, to whom was attributed the |
rather amusing, albeit cynical, |
that, as between
friends" the Constitution is a
quantity. 1t seems to
us, in the relations between Tur-
key, Bulgaria and Austria-Hun-
gary, that the Tammany states
mans theory of constitutional
construction was not altogether
indefensible.
In 1878 a conference of the Eu-
ropean powers was held at Ber-
lin. Turkey had been beaten by
Russia, but the victorious Rus
slams were not allowed to reap
the fruits of their triumph after
a bloody and costly war. Disraeli,
then Prime Minister of Great
Britain, had assembled a fleet of
British battleships near Constan-
tinople and had threatened to op-
pose a Russian occupation of the
capital city of the Turkish En-
pire. He had also tn. eatened to
bring an army from India to fight
Russia unless the Cars Govern
ment modified the terms of peace
imposed upon Turkey in the
treaty of San Stefano. The situa-
ton was critical to the last de-
gree, and a general European
war appeared to be imminent.
Then England and Austria de-
manded a congress Of the pow
ers, which was assembled in
Berlin. Russia was unable to re-
sist the pressure exerted by the
powers. The congress of Berlin
determined the conditions Of the
final settlement between Turkey
and Russia. To Austria-Hungary,
one of the signatories Of the
Treaty of Berlin, was assigned
the administration Of the Turkish
dependencies, Bosnia and Her
zegovina. Bulgaria was made
an autonomous principality tribu-
tary to Turkey. England re-
manned in occupation of the
Island of Cyprus, which, how
ever, continued under the nomi-
nal suzerainty of the Sultan. The
interests of the other powers
were recognized and safeguard
ed. Then the Treaty of Berlin
was ratified by the Governments
represented in the Berlin con-
gress. A general war was averted
and the Eastern question" was
settled for the time being, and
Europe looked forward to a long
peace.
In the period between the as
sembling Of the Congress of Ber-
lin in 1878 and the present time
the Eastern question" has sew
eral times assumed a serious
phase. But the signatories OF
the Treaty of Berlin have acted
in concert whenever a crisis
arose and thus averted collision
between the European powers
that have special interests in the
territory affected by the Treaty
of Berlin. In the last few days,
| however, a situation has been
created which may menace the
peace of Europe if the powers d.
not deal with it wisely, unitedl!
and firmly. Bulgaria has pro
claimed it's independence. I
has formally renounced the ex
ceedingly limited suzerainty o
Turkey over Bulgaria which wa
recognized by the Treaty of Ber
, lin. To cap the climax, the EN-
peror of Austria, it is stated i
. the dispatches, has notified tn
} powers of the intention of tn
Austro-Hungarian Government
to annex Bosnia and Herzegoy
, ina. 1t is intimated in the dis
i patches that Germany encourae
!, ed and may support the Austria
program. The British, Frenc
y and Russian Governments, it
reported, maintain that tt
annexation of Herzegovina ar
Bosnia will be a fragrant breac
of the Treaty of Berlin, and tn;
if this treaty is to be abrogated,
must be abrogated by a congre
of the powers which made ar
ratified the treaty; that the clai
of one of the signatories that
can withdraw at will from ;
international compact and car.
out it's own program is unite
able and inadmissible.
If Great Britain, Russia al
\ France act in concert in mai
' tanning that the the Treaty
Berlin is binding upon all of t
- signatories until a congress
| powers has abrogated the treat
! Austria-Hungary may be plac
D in a most embarrassing positio
The Government of Turkey h
appealed to the powers to
spect their obligations under t
treaty and thus to protect tn
own interests as we'll as those
a Turkey. With Bulgaria Turk
y might not find it difficult to de
But Austria-Hungary's anne
alton of Herzegovina and Bosl
would bring Turkey face
face with a situation w
which the Turk could
cope. The Sultan's appeal to
a. powers is in effect a request t
- they compel Austria-Hungary
fulfill it's obligations under
- Treaty of Berlin. Austria-H