Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-14
ALIGNMENT OF THE POWERS
Slav Press Charges Austria With
Sharp Practice.
SHE SOUGHT INDIVIDUAL GAIN
New Combination May Include
France and Italy as Well as
England and Russia.


tically the breakup OF the European oon-
cert on the Macedonian question has come
as a shock to the chancelleries OF the con-
tinent and England. particularly as
quiet diplomatic season had been antici-
pated. The assent OF Germany to the
management of Moroccan affairs by
France, the conclusion Of agreements to
maintain the status QUO in the Medit.
terranean and the opening Of negotiations
looking to the treaties that should ac-
complish a similar purpose with regard
to the North sea seemed to make the
possibility of differences arising among
the powers remote. The conferences Of
the ambassadors at Constantinople also
appeared to be going on smoothly when
a Domb was thrown into camp by the
announcement made by Baron Marschall
Won Bieberstein, the German ambassador.
that Germany would no longer act with
the other powers in insisting that Turkey
consent to their demands.
Sultan Will Laugh.
AS to the cloud that has arisen between
Russia and Austria-Hungary over the
projects for railroad extensions in Mace
donia Of the latter state. the right Of Aus
tria Hungary to secure a concession for
the Novipazar railroad line and the justice
of Germany supporting her ally are recog-
nzed in England. but it is contended that
the present time is inopportune for the
raising OF this point.
1t is now said that the oficial breaking
up of all these international understand
ings will aggravate the Macedonian Ques-
ton. reopen the whole near east problem.
start a contest for railroad concessions.
which may lead to serious results. and
enable Turkey to postpone the reforms for
which the ambassadors have been work
ing. f--..
New Coalition. -
ST. PETERSBURG. February Aft n
expected here that Russia and Great
Britain will enter upon an agreement for
joint action with. regard to the situation
in Macedonia, and that these two powers
will be supported by France and perhaps
by Italy. If such a coalition Is made
the reason for IT undoubtedly will be
the latest developments at Constantine
ple-the fact that Germany intends to
abandon the allies and adopt the counter
proposals of the sultan, which are. in the
RUSSIAN point or view, Idnt8InOu UNI 10 no
reform at ALL and which are regarded as
creating situation rivaling the Moroccan
ENHANCEMENT in international importance.
Quadrangular Combine.
Only by such a four-power league, &C.
cording to the Russian press. can the
necessary reforms in Macedonia be car
ried through. Dispatches received here
from London indicate that a similar view
is gaining ground there.
Austria -Hungary's desertion Of the con-
cert in return for individual advantages
from Turkey is generally accepted as a
fact in spite OF the assurance from Vienna
that the agreement with Russia remains
the basis OF Austria-Hungary's Balkan
policy. The newspapers resent bitterly
the alleged duplicity of Baron Won Aeh-
renthal, the Austro-H Hungarian minister
of foreign affairs who is compared to a
cardsharper playing an underhand game
with a confederate. in this case Ger
many against the other powers.
Bad for Austria.
The opinion expressed by the inspired
press indicates that the British proposals
of reform which were recently rejected by
Russia and Austria may be the basis OF
Anglo-Rusian action. and this in spite Of
the radical nature of Russia's attitude in
the past This attitude was determined
by loyalty to Russia's Austrian partner.
but now i'm view of the course followed
by Baron Won Aehrenthal. Russia feels
herself no longer bound to Austria. News
papers of all shades Of opinion. including
even the socialist Capital Post. successor
to the Tovarisch. support the foreign Of
flee in an attack on German diplomacy.
Austria Scents Trouble.
VIENNA. February IA new group
ing of the powers in the near eastern
question is freely predicted by inde-
pendent politicians here unless Baron Won
lister of foreign affairs. succeeds speedily
in dispelling the Irritation of Russia over
the Balkan railroad question.
The situation is considered I'm Vienna to
be complicated by the alleged intention OF
the Russian government to ask the Sultan
of Turkey to grant a concession for tho
construction of a railroad line from Ra-
duievatz in Servia. on the Danube. to
Antivari or Duleigno both seaports OF
Montenegro on the Adriatic. a project that
would connect the Danube with the
Adriatic and would be acceptable to Italy
for commercial reasons.
This Russian counter move to the
Austrian project is resented here. AUS
tria desires direct railroad communication
between Vienna Saloniki and Athens.
Coming from Vienna. south Austria al
ready has her own lines through Hum
gary Bosnia and Herzegovina down to O
point on the Uvac river I'm Herzegovina.
UPPER POTOMAC RISING.