The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-31
Aushias Railroad Plans May
 Cause a War
GERMANY IS ALSO MEDDuNG
Road Is Projected From Vienna To Athens, Greece, and Passes Through Turkish Territory, Whence
 Comes the Protest.

St Petersburg, January SO.-A serious conflict appears to be impending between Russia and Austria Hungary over the Austrian plans for the establishment of direct railroad connection between Vienna, Salonika and Athens, as an- nounced a few days ago by Baron von Aehrenthal. the Austro-Hungarian min ister of foreign affairs. This is regarded here as likely to upset the whole Balkan situation and rupture the concert of pow CTS on which the continuance of reform work in Macedonia depends.
 The Russian newspapers of all shades of opinion unite in expressing indigna- ton at Austria. The foreign office issued a communication unique, which leaves no doubt that the government has no in tention of submitting tamely to the execu- ton of the Austro- Hungarian project. The situation portends revival of the Russo Austrian rivalry which kept the Balkans in a turmoil in the late sos and early @s and that led to the war in 1885 between Servia and Bulgaria. The railroad con- -struction chiefly in question is the con- meeting link of the Austrian line through bOSnlds WllCil dllCadS iidS NSNNHNo Turkish frontier, with the Turkish line to Salonika and Mitrovitza traversing the buffer district of Novipazar, which was interposed by the treaty of Berlin be- tween servia and Montenegro as check to Servian expansion.{
 Cherished Project.
 The construction of fhis hne has long been a cherished project with Austria Hungary, as it would not only obviate the present necessity of passing through Ser via to reach the Aegean sea but would throw belt of steel between the two Ser vian peoples, assuring the continuance or Austrian predominanee in this district
 Russia's attitude of steady opposition hitherto has prevented the execution or this plan. It is realized here, however that inc line must ultimately be built, but political considerations require the nostnonement of the work until the sit uation in Macedonia is more settled. It can be stated with authority that the road will not be constructed in the near future without entailing grave develop ments in the aBlkan situation.
 The prevailing sentiment here IS one of indignation at Aerentnal choiee oi 'iie nresent moment for the coup. when u would seem imperative that the powers nresent a united front to wrest rom the norte a prolongation of the mandates gov erning the international gendarmerie in Macedonia, and the execution or Juuicia. and financial reforms, the institution or which are necessary to put stop 10 at- trocities in Macedonia
 An Up-Hill Battle.
 International diplomacy has been hght- ;nq an uphill battle for more than a year with the Sultan to secure this re- form and the withdrawal of Austria Hungary from the concert ana the sep arate overtures made by this country to rrnrkay it is expected here, will lead 10 a flat refusal of the demands or the nowers by the porte, 1t will also affect the situation in Persia, where it Is believed tba Turks will take advantage of the bickerings between Austria and Russia to occupy further disputed territory.
 The attitude of other governments IS awaited here with interest as it IS thought hardly possible that Austria Hungary uould have ventured such step With ont the approval of Germany, whose in- terasts would be greatly furthered ny inc esta ablishment of unbroken rail com ,,,,nication under Teutonic auspices De- tween Hamburg and Athens.