The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11
European Powers Hope to Avert Actual Var Dy CORfer-
 ring Together
WAR SPIRIT HAS NOT
 SUBSIDED IN IN SSEERRYV|A
It is a Hopeless Task That Faces Ser via In a War With Austria, as the Fromer Has Not Enough
 Resources or Men.

London October 10.-(Special.) While it is true that the Balkan situation does look extremely serious on the surface. the hope is confidently expressed in diplo- matic circles that way will be found to prevent hostilities between Austria and serTia.
 5. rhe war spirit is strong in Servia as shown by the election of Professor Jova- novits, one of the most prominent Aus. trian agitators to the presidency of the Skutschina aud the burning of the Aus trian flags in the streets of Belgrade.
 Austria, on the other hand, while pro- fessing peaceful intentions, is hurryng troops to the frontier, and has already placed a fleet of gun boats in the Danube in front of Belgrade. In view of these warlike preparations and movements it may not be amss to compare the strength of the military forces of the two coun- tries The most reliable figures are as follows:
 Austria Hungary--Available for active service, 4O9O0O: reserve, SS1,00O; total war strength 79O,0OO Available for duty, un- organized, 100000.
 Servia-Available for active service, 27 eco; reserves. 19S.OOO; total war strength, 2z5,00o Available for duty. unorganized. SooOO,
 HopeIessly outnumbered.
 Thus it will be seen that Servia is hopelessly outnumbered from the very start. Austriss could Lombard Belgrade and throw 15ol0O0 men across the servian frontier inside of 24 hours, so that the struggle must necessarily be short-lived if war does comes
 The peace movement is going steadily forward under the lead of France. but there are many difficulties to be sur mounted hefere the pk ed treaty con ference can be called.
 British opinion now regards a confer ence of the powers as necessary to pre- vent a general conflagration in the Balkans but Great Britain insists on confining it to accomplished facts.
 London is the seat of negotiations be- tween M. Iswolsky, the Russian minis ter of foreign affairs. and Sir Edward Grey. the British foreign secretary. look ing to the convoeation of an international conference to obtain peace
 A dispatch to the Times from Sofia reports conditions there which point to trouble between servia and Bulgaria. Some alleged Servian spies have been ar 1ested in the neighborhood of the maga- zine at Sofia. It is stated that large number of Servian laborers will be ex- pelled, The Servian representative has made friendly representations as to the attitude of his country, but complications are feared
 Great Britain's Stand.
 Great Britain has instructed MT. Peel the English consul general at Canea, to inform the government of Crete that Great Britain win not recognize any change without the consent of the coop erating powers.
 It is officially stated that Servia's reply to Austria was a request for an ex- planation
 Only the first-class reserves have been ordered to rejoin their colors, il, was said and they had not been mobilized with a view to any immediate action. Assur- ances were given that they would be con- fined to their barracks.
 Turkey continues to give evidence oi self-control. She is following prudent course under the tutelage of Great Britain.
 The latest advices from Belgrade indi- cate that the Servian government is do ing it's best to quiet the radical element in the country in accordance with the suggestion of the powers.