The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-02-18
TROOPS ARE MOVING FROM 8
IBERIA TO THE TURKISH
FRONTIER.
SULTAN WARLlKE
aF8'A$f4E 4
wartike Preparations Under Way by
Russla ana Turkey and Troops Are
Marching Toward Each other-For-
4 elgn Statesmen Believe It is Game
Of Bluff Russians Are Alarmed.

Of Bluff wa Russians Are Alarmed.
st. Petersburg, Feb. 1.-THE alarm.
,st reports Of the possibilities Of hos
ttilties between Russia and Turkey,
which have permeated all stratas Of
Russian society. have assumed the
proportions Of veritable war scare to
which have permeated all strata Of
ing it's biggest headlines.
The situation is taken seriously not
only In military circles, but also by
conservative politicians. M. Ouch
koff. leader Of the majority in the
douma. announced his intention to-
night OF raising at the next meeting
Of the commission OF national de-
fense the question OF the nations
readiness for war. This, he believes,
is Of the most vital Importance ia
view of the news from the Caucasus
and all parts Of Europe. He also pur-
poses to interpellate the minister Of
communications on the ability of the
railroads, particularly in the eau
casus and trans-Caucasia to transport
troops quickly to the southern and
southwestern frontiers
The douma, according to M. Ouch.
koff, will be guilty of criminal neglect
II 1t permits the country again to be
drawn into war for which it is wholly
unprepared. The surest means to
avoid a rupture, he said, is serious
preparation for any eventuality.
NJ. Khvestchinsky. the vice presi1
dent Of the commission, also thinks
that the situation is grave and takes
issue sharply with q number Of gen
erals, who appeared before the com
mission and said that the possibility
Of hostilities this year was excluded.
staff Considers Situation.
The general star continues to give
the situation the most serious consld-
eraAion, although as yet no reports
have been received here regarding
movements OF troops in the interior.
But persons arriving from Siberia
say that for several months there has
been an unbroken movement Of ST.
herian troops to the southwest In the
direction Of the trans-Caspian distdict
and Turkestan. from which. It Is be-
lteved. they can be most easily locat-
ed nm tho T1irkish frontier
The advices to the Associated Press
indicate that preparations are stead
tly making for any eventualtty. Com
petent diplomatic opinion. however.
takes more optimistic view.
The ambassadors Of i've Of the
leading powers, when interviewed to-
day. considerer hostilities as being al
most out Of the question. Their opin-
ion Is that the Turkish mobilization
In Asia Minor and the warlike prepa-
rations in Russia are parts Of q "gi-
gantic game Of blur" which neither
side will be able to carry to finish
on account Of the lack Of sinews of
war. But they cherish no illusions
over the speedy termination OF the
Austro Russian difficulties in the Bal
tics, and look forward to long per
iod Of friction before the powers again
unite to exert the necessary pressure
on the sultan.
Another Division.
The possibility that Turkey, with
Russia's encouragement, night find
means OF evading her quasi promise
to permit the construction of the line
is admitted. but the general opinion
Is that In this case. Baron Won Aeh
renthal would have no alternative but
to resign.
Dispatches from London indicate
that the rumor, believed to have beer
started In Vienna, that Russia con
templated the construction Of q rail
road from the Danube to the Adriati<
sea In compensation for the salonik
line, has been taken seriously abroad
But the Russian foreign office EN-
phatlcally reiterates it's denial tina
such q project is entercalne0, the ne
cessary money, above all, being lack
Ing
HOSTILE APPEARANCE At TlFLI'
Revolutionary Agitation ls increasing
War Rumors inoreaso.
Tiais, Feb. 17.-Reports have beel
received here from Armenia that a
the Redias, or Turkish army reserv
forces In Van Musn and other VI
lagettes Of Asia Minor. have been cal
ed to the colors and are departin
rapidly for the frontier. At the sam
time a laaRua Of the Turkish reYol,