New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-10-16
BALKAN DIPLOMACY
Sr Edseard Grey's Stand against
Treaty Breakers.
London, October Z

public law. IT declines to sanction the inde-
pendence of Bulgaria and the Austrian an
nexation OF Bosnia and Herzegovina, and its
motives are high-minded and unimpeachable.
The principality and the dual monarchy
taking advantage of the weakness following
spasm OF virtue at Constantinople, and are en-
dangering the reform administration and con-
stitutonal movement which have commanded
British approval. They also violating with
cynical selfshness the Treaty of Berlin without
obtaining the sanction of the signstOry powers
The British Foreign Office protests emphatically
against these ungenerous and laWless acts, and
exercises a restraining influence over the Sui
tan's government for the prevention OF war and
the revision of treaty law by a European con-
gress. With its close diplomatic relations with
France and Russia it may succeed in this pacific
policy, and certainly it deserves Communication
for disinter d action in line with the estab-
lished practice of European law.
The reception of Prince Ferdinand at Buda-
pest, the seizure of the railway in Eastern
Roumelia arc the proclamation OF independence
at Tirnova have been a rapid series of events
which have indicated arrangement. Austria
Hungary has been behind Bulgaria, and has as
ISOLATED herself with the new kingdom IN VIOLA
lions Of the Treaty Of Berlin There has been
no encouragement for Bulgaria during recent
years, when the gallant principality was eager
to spring to the relief of Macedonia. So long as
was not interfered WITH but as soon as he pro-
claimed a constitution and brought into power
the Young Turks to reform the administration
and to reinvigorate the Ottoman Empire he was
plotted against and his dominion exposed to dis
membernnent The aged Emperor King who
has lost the Italian provinces and the leadership
of Germany during his reign, has naturally
wanted to replace Lombardy and Venetia with
Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 10 obtain
IN Mace 6OT7ia
as the champion of the Balkan states. If he has
been reluctant to face the risks of war III South
eastern Europe, he has also found II difficult to
offer resistance to the racial forces Dragging
him toward Saionica and Constantinople. He
has taken advantage of the situation produced
by the Turkish constitution and made bold
challenge for the control of Southeastern Eu-
rope.
Is Germany behind Austria Hungary? That
is the prevailing idea although the Berlin For
eIgn Office processes TO be supporting England
and the decencies of European public law. The
agitators, who have been preaching the Pan
Cerrnanic doctrine for many years, have favored
Austria. expansion southward, the enlargement
OF the sphere of influence among the Balkan
states and the establishment Of q commercial
federation. with SaIonica as the chief port. The
campaign has been outlined in many q visionary
pamphlet in which the Hapsburg monarchy has
been described as a provisionary arrangement
IA he followed by German control from Berlin
to the Egean, and with railway communication
from Hamburg to the Bosporus. and thence
through Asia Minor to the Persian Gulf 1t Is
not necessary to take too serious view or the
frothy literature Of the Pan-Germanic zealots,'
but it is certain that Austria from Bismarcks
time has been pushed southwark, and that the
two provinces gained the price Of neutrality
during the war of 1S77-'7S have been regarded
as the German gates of the Orient Germany is
not the power to hold back Austria-Hungary II
the Slay overcome the resistance OF the Mag
vars and force on a new racial movement in
Southeastern Europe.
War is the last thing that any Power, great or
small wants in the Balkans Experience has
shown that a campaign is harvest Of tares n
that quarter Of the world. The Russians libeT-
ated Bulgaria. but got nothing for themselves.
The Powers revised the treaty of conquest; Tur-
kew was allowed breathing space and recovered
her strength: the Bulgarians were not grateful
70 their deliverers, and the slavs turned TO Aus
ia-Hungary as the champion Of their race.
Turks, Greeks and Servians have been through
arduous conflicts, and the victors have found
them almost as improbable the vanquished
have The Powers invariably intervene and
whittle down the results of victory, and often
non-combatants. who have kept out of the fight
ing have larger advantages than those who
have made serious sacrifices. Turks. Bulgarians
and Austrians have little 10 hope for from
war which would have to be settled up in a gen
eral congress, with Russia large creditor
demanding full compensation for nOn-interven~
ton. They get more out OF pacific dfplo-
macy than out Of the welter OF racial conflict;
and since the appeal can be made to enlightened
self-fnterest whether at Sofia, Vienna or Con-
stantinople, the peacemakers are likely to avert
war and to arrange a readjustment Of the rela-
lions OF rival states England, by befriending
the Turkish reformers and encouraging the Sui
tan to persevere in liberalism, has secured a
sympathetic hearing unseIfish adviser. Sir
Edward Grey. with the King behind him. ought
to be able to keep the Young Turks under
straint, and II he does this there wifi be war,
but only intermlnable diplomacy.
1t was Lord Beacons1eld who was the Sui
tan's protector when Russia and Austria were
in secret alliance with Germany behind them. If
he did not prevent he Joined forces with
Bismarck in making the peace dictated at
the gates of Constantinople and in rescuing Tur-
key from anarchy. The Liberals under Mr..
Gladstone's leadership were caustic critics of tho
processes OF Turkish diplomacy in those
days. Their own government is taking up
Lord Beaconfeds work and standing out for
the uuspeakable Turk against Sav aggression
and the covetousneSs of rival Powers; and there
is ample justification for its diplomacy in the
reformed administration at Constantlnople The
latter may fail. like many insncere and inefrec-
tive attempts which have preceded it.: but there
is ground for hope that the Young Turks will
bring order out Of chaos and accomplish the re-
generation OF misgoverned empire. The Bull
garians and AustrianR. with the Germans behind
them, making the reform movement most
difficult and uncertain They working out