Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-09
WOULD AWE THE TURK
Russia Plans a Southern Ex-
petition in Force.
Is ACTING WITH RAPIDITY
Trouble Arises From the Persian
Frontier Dispute.
DUMA VOTES NEEDED FUNDS
octoberist Leader Says There Is No
Party When It Comes to a Cues
ton Of Patriotism.
)UMA VOTES NEEDED FUNDS

ST. PETERSBURG. February s.-The
Russo-Turkish relations have entered
upon menacing phase Alarmed at the
unchecked Turkish penetration of Persia
and the mobilization in Armenia, the Rus
sian government has decided to execute
formidable military demonstration In
reply on the Turko- Persian frontier, dis.
patching. there a compact expedition OF
10000 select troops from central Russia
with full war equipment, and 1t is acting
with uncommon rapidity with view to
overthrowing the Turks by a decisive ex.
hibition of force.
Near East Trouble.
The war Office has drawn up plans Of
the expedition and submitted them hur.
riedly for legislative enactment to the
duma Friday. The committee on ma.
tional defense assembled in virtually
closed session. A representative of the
war Office briefly and impressively out.
lined. the Turkish preparation on which
Russia is fully informed and asked fol
an open credit for the maintenance OF
an army of $4,000.
He met the possible argument Of econ
omy by saying that Russia had expended
blood and treasure in Manchuria in vain
owing to the initial backwardness in
armament. The empires prestige in the
middle east, he said, Is now also in the
balance, and Russia must be prepared to
de- lend it.
Millions for Batteries.
NJ Guchkoff, leader of the octoberist
party, in a speech said that the majority
in the duma were Russian patriots and
willing to part with their last shirt ia
defend the fatherland. The committee in
high pitch of patriotism passed the
appropriation unanimously.
At the same session the war office OBJ.
tanned sanction for a further item OF
1000 600 to create floating batteries
along the Baltic coast, which, owing to
mercy of Germany.
Balkan Problem Again.
The situation in the Balkans. which sud.
denly has attracted attention here through
the reported recall of Prince Ourosoff
Russian ambassador to Austria Hungary
seems to be graver than official state
ments make 1t appear.
Austria and Germany charge that Rus.
STA is trying to obtain revenge for her fail.
ure In the far east by turning her atten-
ton to the near east and in resuming
her ancient traditional policy of aiming
at Constantinople. 1t Is further asserted
by officials of these governments that
she is helped In this. above board. by
France and secretly by Great Britain
the latter thus opposing German influence
Aiming at Turkey.
Russia has emphatically declared that
no 20 folo 70
carrying out of the proposed plan for the
construction of railways in the Balkans
as announced by Baron Won Ashrenthal
the Austria Hungarian foreign minister
and this would mean under the guise OF
commercial interest 'pract cal Austrian
supremacy throughout the Balkans. In.
deed, it would mean Austria's reaching
Saloniki, and, Russia remarks, this would
be equivalent to having Germany at Sa.
loniki.
However, it is believed here, that IL 6
conflict breaks out that 1t will not be
between Russia and Austria. but between
Russia and Turkey, the latter being &C.
cused Of favoring the Austrian plans un.
der German influence.
The Popular Romano gees SO far as te
chronicle the rumor that a Russo Turk.
ish war is likely to occur in the spring
Turkey has been making preparations
for she now has in Macedonia 100000 OF
her best troops Differed to a great ex-
tent by Germans