New-York tribune., 1908-10-09
OUTLINES Il PROGRAMME.
France Confident POzcers Val Reach
II GREEN ent.


Paris, Oct 8-A government connrnuniQue is
sued this evening says that Nj Pichon the For
eign Minister. has formulated q tentative pro-
gramme for an international conference on the
situation in the Balkans. and that NJ Iswosky,
the Russian Foreign Minister, Will submit this
outline Premier AsQufth and SIR Edward
Grey, the British Foreign Secretary. France.
according TO the communiQue. is confident that
an agreement will be reached by the powers
The frank explanation Of NJ Iswosky to the
French government is largely responsible for the
brighter outlook for an international conference
The fact that NJ Iswolsky had not promptly
communicated to France and Great Britain what
he had learned about the forthcoming Balkan
changes at his recent interviews with Baron Won
Ahrenthal the Austro- Hungarian Foreign Min
lister. and Sgnor TfttOni. the Italian Foreign
Minister. created more than an unfavorabe I'M
preston in Paris and London. The Russian
Foreign Minister. however. has now succeeded
in dssipatinE whatever suspicion existed. and
the conviction is general here that Great Britain,
France and Russia can agree upon programme
for a conference. and will henceforth march
shoulder 70 shoulder
A leading diplomat said tonight: Although
some details still obscure the inside history
Of the Balkan coup will make one Of the strang
est chapters in international annals There is
evidence Of a plot to upset ali the old interna-
tfonal combinations. Germany has abandoned
her old friend Turkey Francis Joseph has de-
ceived his old friend King Edward: Italy bar
tered with Austria. the trrecOncilable enemy of
the Balkans, and Isrolsky, a dupe or accom-
pIice almost fell into the snare. Great Britain
except for the entente with France. suddenly
found herself isolated when she thought she had
Germany surrounded
But Great Britain now comes near to turn
ing the tables" he continued. by champion
ing Turkeys cause she has earned the eternal
gratitude Of the regime. with whom she
could dispace German influence II Russia
wavered. she IS again back in line and Italy.
despite Tittonis pro-Austrian proclivfties. IS
likely 10 Join hands. The situation, therefore, is
rapidlv resolving itself into the old duel be
tween Great Britain and Germany
II is nov practically certain Russia will issue
the invitations to the conference. The matter
Of inviting the United States has not been con-
sidered. as America is not party 10 the Berlin
treatv. and as IL is assumed that her traditional
nolicv will make her prefer not TO enter
strictly European conference.
premier C!emenceau mad@ address at
BandoI to-day. in which he referred to the eX-
sting crisis in the Near East as severe blow
to the peace propaganda Of the world. He said
also that the Balkan situation was proof that
rhe necessity still existed for France TO main
tain her military power TO insure tfsf national
4efence in moments like the present. when a
.oIernn fnterna .iOnal treaty had been torn up.
The Premier's subject was Liberty" and he
,eaIt with the evils especially anti -militarism
bat are prone 10 grow up in a republic.
Amid the difficulties and perils Of the present
,our' NJ said we viii contribute best ff-
orts with the aid Of our friends and allies. TO
.oneiliate conflicting interests At the same
ir,e We will continue 10 manifest our energetic
.-rnnsthv for q people which is battling for
.beraI institutions.