New-York tribune., 1908-10-11
KING AS PEACEMAkER
THE TASK OF BRITAIN.
Ser1ian Prince Explains Causes Of
Nations Indignation.
Gspeeial BY French Gable TO The Tribune


fCopyrIght. 1905. BY The Tribune Association
London. OCT. Io-The markets have been de-
rnoralixed by runors Of war and sensational
cznards, but the situation is less strained than
frightened 1;Eanciers or the amateur diplomatists
OF the press imagine. This IS the judgment or
one OF the coolest observers in touch with the
diplomatic corps. There must at least be
iul in The excitement while the Russian Foreign
Minister Is consulting with Sir Edward Grey in
1-ondon. and King Edward has arrived from
Balmoral opportunely to give the Foreign Office
the benefit OF his unriyallad judgment and pro
mote one OF the ends Of peace.
The sailing OF the British squadron for Lemnos
Is an Indication that Turkey has the moral sup
port OF England in defensive diplomacy against
treaty breakers. and the negotiations now in
progress here are conducted hopefully and firmly
with a view to bringing about conference IN
which the results Of the Illegal action @ Austria
Hungary, Bulgaria and Crete can be sanctioned
by the powers. This can be done if Russia joins
angland and France IN disinterested action. and
11nless all signs fail peace viii be maintained.
The problem Is complex, but the efforts OF Sir
Edward Grey viii be devoted TO preventing q
widening OF the area Of disturbance and TO find
Eng compensations for Turkey. That power has
not lost either territory subjects, and has
sven regained in the Novi-Bazar district
province equal TO Montenegro Titular rights
lions may be found in new agreement with
Macedonia. the abolition Of cap.tulations or
facilities Tor floating Turkish loan which would
tncrease the prestige OF the Sultans reform
ministry. It seems probable that confer
snce carefully limited IN scope viii be sum
snoned. and that the Sultan VIII accept the guar
sntees Of England. France and Russia that he
shall receive compensations.
The question Of the Dardanelles is not likely
4sr,g-
with Inscrutable reserve, viii probably support
the processes of Anglo Russian peacemaking.
The chief dangers of the situation lie IN the ex-
ritable. provocative conduct OF the Servians and
Montenegrins and in the possibility that the
Young Turks may be upset and the old order Of
arbitrary government restored by a sudden
Eaprice OF the Sultan.
Prince Lazarovich HraselianOvich. who has
been prornin- y identified with the movement
Fer the unifcation Of the Servian race has given
ne an interesting interview. He said: You
must first understand that there are more than
ken millions Of Us Serbs rnassed in the Balkan
Peninsula OF those ten millions only about
three and half are free and independent form
ing the Kingdom Of Servia and the Principality
pf Montenegro. The remainder Of the Serv!a
block inhabits Bosnia and Herzegovina where
bot only there Is a Christian population, but
where also the Mosens are q Servian race. IN
1ations OF the Austrian held provinces Of Dali
malta, Croatia and SIGvonia, and Banat and
BaJchka in Hungary, are all Serbs Of either
orthodox or Catholic creed.
''Au these ten millions speak one language,
have common literature and the same political
fdeal. rooted IN high civilization reached IN
the Middle Ages. You have in America two
noble exponeuts Of Servian genius. Ntkola Tesla
and Professor Pupin. OF Columbia University.
E The Serbs might readily resign themselves TO
+ situation which could only lead 70 a state OF
interior dissension in the Austro- Hungarian con-
test for spolls which viii probably result in a
mortal crisis between the two halves Of the
Eapsburg dorninions, but IL reality the annexa-
tioa Of Bosnia and Herzegovina is only the first
decisive step in Austria's march TO the long
coveted port OF Salonica- Trieste and Fiume not
being situated directly the great interna-
ticnal routes, Austrian trade competes at q dis
advantage with German French and English
industries and commerce
s ''Salonica IS destined 10 be a great commercial
centre. The Austro- Hungarian policy requires
the possession OF railway lines from the north to
Salonica, and the port itself i the greatest
strategic point in the Balkans where from
earliest antiquity cross the natural CONNER
E ciaI main roads between the Orient and Europe
Overland Is Nisl in SeryIa Austria must pos
sess that point il order II secure SalOnica and
dominate the Oriental trade Nish i defence
OF Constantnople ana the Suez Canal Nish in
the hands % an aggressive European power IS .
perpetual menace Nish in the hands OF Servia
8 peaceful. nou-aggressive people is q guarantee
o. the equilibrium OF The Near East and q pro-
lection 10 the trade interests of all the other
European nations
These hard facts explain the deep emotion
stirred in SeryI1n breasts throughout the
Balkans by the annexation OF Bosnia and Here
soYina- The Servian race suddenly sees itself
threatened with utter anaihIlation. Turkish in
terests require strong Seryi5n Ranking on the
west. ! cannot beIiege that Germany prornrted
the annexation. even II she consented TO
AUstria's move With Austria in Salonica italy
would have 20 shut Up shop. With all the jus
uhcation FOR the excitement, hope the govern
Tnents OF Servia and Montenegro VIII control
popular despair aad delay a conflict" LNF