Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-12

tans. are an affront 10 Europe ana ~ Ho-
But | cannot bring myself 10
think that the hatreds which exist in the
vilayet should cause trouble among Inc
powers. and that war will come OF IL:
! think these sentiments are those Oh
all cabinets
lie Temps in this moment ccnfessedly
difficult makes a virtue of its character
istc optimism 1t saws that once upon
time. all European powers had territorial
a mbitions in the orient and sought to sat
isfy them. The Christian nationalit'es or
the Balkans had been at first an lnstrn-
ment in the hands of chancellerles. lhelr
liberty was nretext rather than mo-
tive. These Christians were 'spoken or,
without really doing anything for them
Years passed and Europe was caught In
its own snare. The Balkan states. once
recognized have desired TO live alone
independent And lie Temps concludes
that Europe has had enough of such gra-
tuitous interference and declares that
"rhe oriental problem has become a
struggle for influence and commercial
rivalry. The oriental question remains
difficult ii has ceased to be dangerous
The conclusion of lie Temps Is certainly
not the opin'on, of a large part of the
commercial and diplomatic circles in Eu-
rope. who see. for a fact. in the struggle
for influence and commercial rivalry the
most serious factors in prospective terri
torial acquisition.
NJ. PIERRE Bernus. in an article entitled
The Ralkan Conflict in la Nouvelle Re-
vlle, SAYS In confederation of the fore
going: AT the root of all the struggle for
influence in Turkey in Europe. In Asia
Minor. in Syria. in Masopotamia, there IS
an intense economical conflict which in
creases the danger of war Events were
permitted to follow their natural inclina-
ton. It was for this reason the Bagdad
railway. as it approached the Persian
gulf. augmented the possibilities Of war.
ho ,ha
the Balkan conflict has grown into an
acute state"
Austria and Russia had been in accord
on Balkan matters for several years. The
expose of Baron d'Aehen-
Increasing thai read to the Austrian
delegati ons January % was
a surprise and deception
to Russia Russia has shown her dis
quiet and bad humor. Italy has manifest
ed her fears about Albania.
The treaty Of Paris. 1886 checked for
time the Russian zeal. But owing to the
liberation of Russia. after the Franco
Prussian war. the restrictive clauses In
the treaty of London. 1871. were ignored.
she renewed her work. and at the end
of the campaign. 1S171SIS. Russia forced
Turkey to sign the preliminaries of the
peace of San Stefano. The preponderance
of Russia was thus secured by the erec-
ton of the grand principality of Bulgaria
in principle vassal of the porte. but In
fact a vassal of Russia. But Disraeli was
watchful and caused the preliminaries at
San Stefano to be submitted to the Flu
ropean congress which elaborated the
treaty of Berlin and which still rules the
international situation Of Turkey.
This treaty was against Russia and
made to favor her rival. Anstria-Hungary.
in the clauses relating to the Balkans. The
England of Disraeli it is recalled. heing
then the fervid protector of the Turk.
England helped herself for the service by
ia king over the island of Cyprus.
In the western part of the Balkans Aus
tria acquired authority in Bosnia HerZe-
govina article - Of the treaty of Berlin
charged Austria with the administration
of Bosnia Herzegovina. gift of I1.02S
kilometers square and 100000 inhab-
tants. 1t was an immense step toward
Safonika.
Russia. however maintained her inf1u-
ence in Bulgaria. and thus it was deemed
useful by Austria and
Russian Russia to conclude in
their respective interests
AHnoence' the treaty of 1897. the OBJ
ject being to keep other powers from in
ter -erng in the Balkans.
Macedonia was in a state of insurrection
in 1880. In that year a vast plan was
elaborated by special commission, but
was not acted upon. There is a total lack
of national unity in Macedonia and this
"act complicates the problem. The Bull
Garian element is in constant struggle
with the Greek and Servian and their
combats and atrocities are conditions that
defy all authority.
i'll aoft ,AI ~, Nnn
dona in 1902 1909 and Austria and Rus
STA FASTENED to submit to the powers the
Muerstzeg program which is now about
TO expire, and which is sought to be re-
newed. The Muerstzeg program would
have doubtless been given a new lease of
life but for the brand thrown into the
fire by Baron a. Aehrenthal
Russia frankly confessed has neglected
her interests in the near orient for those
in the distant orient. After her defeat in
Marchuria she has been confronted by
revolution and anarchy in Russia proper.
Having dominated the situation she has
now returned and resumed her active
European policy.
The disasters which she has experienced
necessitated drastic remedies and this
will explain what appeared to be an 1n-
possible feat of political acrobatism.
namely. the accord which Russia signed
with England August 81. 1907. BY this
accord Russia and England arranged all
their differences in central Asia and in
Persia.
The situation in the orient the near and
the far. has experienced profound mCdi-
fication within the past
Conditions few years. First by the
~od;sod ChinoJapanese war sec
ond, by the Russian defeat
at Manchuria and third by TIE influence
nf Germany in Turkey by which the for
mer had succeeded TO English predom-
nance at Constantinople. The situation
was no less threatening for England than
for Russia and SO was signed and
rushed the Anglo Russian accord of
1907
Notwithst anding Prince Won Buelows
pacitic assurances. the oracles are
capable of being read more ways than
one as formery-the Anglo-German
rivalry the Bagdad railway and the
balkans are the dominating questions in
the political situation. which has never
been more threatening than at present.
When England perceived this critical
condition she made haste to make q
master move on the political chessboard
The game was almost lost when she re-
newed it by inventing the cordial under
standing with France. Italy. Spain. Japan
and Russia. With Italy England arranged
to associate her with her Mediterranean
and Balkan policy. Italy, who views Aus
trla with suspicion. will act with Russia.
who has never had designs upon AL
bania. England's play has been bold
and disconcerting to her rival. but it has
L