New-York tribune., 1908-02-18
WAR SCARE IN RUSSIA.
TROOPS NOTING SOUTH.
.4ction an the Douma-D Diplomats
Not alarmed by Situation.

St Petersburg, Feb. 1.-THE reports of the
possibilities Of hostilities between Russia and
Turkey have now assumed the proportions of
veritable war scare, to which the sensational
press is devoting its biggest headlines.
The situation is taken seriously not only in
military circles but also by conservative poll
ticians. NJ. Guchkoff. the leader of the majority
in the Douma, tonight announced his intention
Of raising at the meeting of the Conmis-
sion Of National Defence the question of the ma
lions readiness for war. which. he believes of
most vital Importance in view OF the news from
the Caucasus and all parts OF Europe. He also
intends ask the Minister Of Communications
about the ability Of the railroads. particularly
in the Caucasus and Transcaucasia, TO trans
port troops quickly TO the southern and south
western frontiers
The Douma, according TO NJ. Guchkoff will be
guilty Of criminal negligence IL 1t permits the
country again 10 be drawn into war for which
Il is wholly unprepared- The surest means to
avoid rupture he says. is serious preparation
NJ khyestchinsky the vice-president Of the
commission also thinks that the situation is
grave and takes issue sharply with a number Of
generals who appeared before the commission
and said that In their opinion the possibility Of
hostilities this year was excluded
The general staff continues to give the stua-
tion most serious consideration. although
reports have yet been received here regarding
movements of troops in the interior. Persons
arriving from Siberia however. say that for
several months there has been an unbrolen
movement OF Siberian troops points in the
Transcaspian district and Turkestan, whence
they can be quickly concentrated on the Turk
ish frontier.
Advices from Tifis indicate that preparations
are steadily being made for possible hostilities-
Diplomatic opinion. however. takes more opu-
rnistic view. The ambassadors Of five Of the
leading powers said to-day that they considered
-he chance Of war as being almost out Of the
question. They believed that the Turkish mo-
hilization in Asia Minor and the warlike prep
zrations in Russia were parts in the gigantic
game OF bluff which neither side would be able
n carry TO a finish on account OF the lack of
sinevs Of war. They cherished no illusions.
however. over the speedy termination of the
Austre- Russian difficulties in the Balkans, and
looked forward TO long period OF friction before
the powers again united 10 exert the necessary
pressure on the Sultan
Diplomats friendly 70 Austria endeavor 70
soquit Baron Won Aehrenthal the Austrian For
eign Minister. OF responsibility OF breaking the
European concert They said to-day that the
prospect Of carrying through the proposed judi
cial reforms fl Macedonia already had vanished
into thin air before the Austrian railway scheme
Vas proposed Inc poSSlplllty Lldt turkey Will
Russia's encouragement, might find means Of
evading her qualified promise TO permit the con-
struction Of the lire is admitted, but the gen.
ersI opinion is that in this case Baron Won
aehrenthal would have to resign
Dispatches from London indicate that the
rrnlor. believed 70 have been started in Vienna,
that Russia contemplated the construction Of
the railroad from the Danube 10 the Adriatic
sea as compensation for the Salonica line has
been taken seriously abroad The Russian For
eign Office -enphatiCaIly reiterates its denial.
however. that such scheme is entertained, the
necessary money. above all being lacking.