The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-10
HOstilities Almost Inevitable in
the Balkan Region.
The Servian Populace Still
Clamoring for a Fight.
PEOPLE ARE ALARMED
By the Reported Approach of
Austrian GunbOats.
Paris Papers Are Full of Dis
quieting Rumors.

Belgrade. Oct. 10.-Even in official cir
cles it is now believed that war is un-
avoidable.
M. Basics, minister of war, in an in
terview with the Associated Press cor
respondent, declared that the situation
was most critical. adding:
''Hostilities can hardly be avoided"
A big mass meeting was held this
morning, after which the demonstrators
marched to the Skupschtina, the mem
bers of which are assembling, clamor-
ing for war. The feeling among the
members of the assembly is apparently
warlike.
The news that the Austrian monitors
which are coming down the Danube
have reached the Servian frontier is
already beginning to alarm the peo-
pie.
Alarming Rumors.
Paris, Oct. 10.-The Paris morning
papers are filled with alarming but
unconfirmed rumors from the near east.
Among them are the following:
That the Servians have blown up
bridges along the Austrian frontier
that martial law has been declared and
that a Servian~ officer has been cap
tured and shot.
From Cettinje come rumors that the
Montenegrans burned Austrian flags in
front of the palace and broke the win
dows of the Austrian consulate.
From Constantinople comes a story
of anti-Christian agitations in Smyrna
and rumors that the English, French
and Italian consuls have asked their
governments to send warshipS to the
scene. From Athens comes the rumor
that Bulgarian agents are active in
Macedonia, especially in the vicinity of
Seres, distributing arms and melting
the population to insurrection.
A special dispatch to the Matin from
Constantinople says that the editors of
the Constantinople newspapers believe
that war is inevitable.
Denies the Supposition.
Constantinople, Oct. 10.-Baron
Marschal Won Bieberstein, the German
ambassador in conversation with
Kiamil Pasha. the grand vizer denied
the supposition that recent events in
Turkey were the result of an under
standing between Germany and Aus
tria or any other country. The am
bassador added:
81 am commanded by the emperor
of Germany to protest energetically
against such supposition. The
events in question occurred without
consultation with Germany"
No Direct Interest
Washington, Oct. 1O.-Though with
no great vital interest at stake ad-
ministration officials are watching
closely the daily developments in the
Balkan situation. Not being a sig
natory to the Berlin treaty, the United
States has no direct interest in the
present eastern situa ton. The United
States as a party to the Algeciras con-
ference acquiesced in the settlement
of mooted questions affecting Moroc-
CO, but in doing so expressly stipulated
that it had no political interests in
that part of the world. How the gov
ernment would view an invitation to
engage in a conference to pass on the
Balkan question is problematical. The
safe guarding of American missionary
interests and affording of protection to
naturalized Americans there would
fall to the duty of the United States
and our missionary interests always
have been the source of more or less
concern even in time of peace and
would require additional vigilance in
the event of war.
Pending the outcome of negotiations
however, the attitude of Washington
will remain one of observation merely
as the diplomatic authorities share
the confidence expressed in London.
that a peaceful solution of the Bal
kans imbroglio will be found.
Austrian Flags Burned.
Belgrade, Oct. 10.-The extraordinary
session of the skupshtina or national
assembly, summoned to deal with the
existing Crisis was opened this morn
ing amid scenes of great excitement
The warlike sentiment of the delegates
was very noticeable and this spirit was
given expression by the prompt election
to the presidency of the assembly of
Prof. Jovanovits, one of the most prom
inent agitators in favor of war with
Austria a-Hungary. Two Austrian flags
were burned by mob in Theater
square this morning.
Austrian Troops on the Move.
Paris, Oct. 10.-The Vienna cores
pondent of the Temps reports that the
eleventh and Thirteenth Austro-H Hun
garian army corps with arms and am
munition are being hurried in the di-
rection of the Servian frontier. Hos
nital trains are being prepared the
correspondent declared further at Wen
ma and Budapest.