The San Francisco call., 1908-10-05
WAR MAY
R[ND ALL
EUROPE
Bulgaria and Austria Arouses
the Fears Of the Old a
World Nations
Prince Ferdinand Declares In
dependence of Country and
Names Himself Car
Conflict With Sultan's Forces
Expected and Armies. Are
Being Modified
Emperor Franz Josef Announces
Plan to Annex Bosnia and
Herzegovina

1ONOON, OCL. <. -
Events which threaten to
change the political face of
Europe are crystallizing
with lightning like rapidity.
Almost over night the hori-
zon of the near east, which
seemed gradually assuming
a peaceful appearance, has
become crowded with war
clouds.
News has reached here from
several sources that two definite
strokes are impending which can
not fail to bring matters to a
crisis and perhaps force an imn1e-
diate war. One is the proclama-
ton of Prince Ferdinand of the
independence Of Bulgaria, which
will include Rumelia, taking for
himself the title of czar. The other is
the announcement by Austria-H Hungary
OF the practical annexation of the prov
appenges of the Austro-Hungarian
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 a war be-
tween Bulgaria and Turkey Before
these possibilities, the quarrel over the
East Rumelfan section of thes Opfent
railway sinks into insignifcance. 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.
BULGARIAN ARMY EFFICIENT
The Bulgarians have faith in their
army. which has reached high state
of efficiency. although it is perhaps
lacking in officers. and the war for
which Bulgaria has long been ;sus-
pected Of preparing could be fought
with more advantage for her now than
when the Turkish government has had
=
have become enervated by corruption
and neglect of the old regime
The emperor OF Austria. it Is under
stood, has dispatched a letter to the
president OF France. setting forth his
intentions regarding Bosnia and Her
zegovina, although the contents OF the
letter are kept secret, and he is send
ing similar notes to the other powers
1t seems incredible that Emperor
Francis Joseph. who always has been
a scrupulous observer OF forms, should
reveal his plans to the rulers of other
nations before he has communicates
them to his own parliament One ex-
PLANTATION 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 two provinces may not tech
nically be called annexation. II is BE-
lieved it Will amount TO that, what
ever 1T may be called. Apparently the
emperor is determined that the des-
tiny of these provinces shall be Aus
trian, not Turkish. For 80 years they
have been administered by Austria
Hungary. but they have always re-
mained Theoretically Turkish territory,
and Austria pledged that her admins
tration should not derogate Turkish
rights.
ENGLISH FAVOR TURKEY
English public opinion is with Tur-
key in the Bulgarian dispute, as all
the powers except Austria seem to be.
and il remains to be seen what the
English attitude will be toward annex
alton if that becomes fact
. Austria Is suspected Of encouraging
the recent Bulgarian Turkish trouble
for her. own interests. but the British
xovernment has made proposals to the
two countries looking to the settlement
of the railway case, and the other
powers have agreed 10 give support
10 the plan. which contemplates the
f. temporary restoration OF the railway
to Turkey Ito save her face" and
then transference from the company
to the Bulgarian government
The English press expressed surprise
that Austria and Bulgaria should plot
against Turkey. and asks il the great
powers will submit TO having obstacles
placed in the way of the regeneration
of Turkey.