New-York tribune., 1908-02-17
ANXIETY OVER BALKANS
IRRITATION IN RUSSIA.
44ttem ut to Block AUSTRIA - Ger
maru's Position-Tiears of Posrers.

St. Petersburg. Feb. 1s-Baron Won Aehren'
| thaTs reiteTation Of the determination OF Aus
| tria to build q railroad through Novi Bazar as
! q connecting link for the Austrian line through
Bosnia with the Turkish line to Salonica, ano
! the announcement by the German Foreign once
| nf financial support to this plan have lett no
illusions here regarding the fate OF the agree
| n1ent looking to joint action in the Balkans
negotiated by Emperor Nicholas and Emperor
Francis Joseph at Murzsteg in the fall of 1sHS,
which was the groundwork of the subsequent
| programme of reforms in Macedonia
The attitude of the Russian Foreign Office as
| learned through the inspired press. Is that the
agreement which is regarded already vo-
lated in spirit bv the Austrian Foreign Minis
ter's efforts to extend and consolidate the Aus
trian sphere of influence by private bargain
with the Sultan for the construction Of the
railroad should be abrogated. Russia now has
free hand to work out her Own policy in the
near East Negotiations are still being
Quoted to induce Austria to withdraw her rail-
road scheme but hope Of their success is
held out on either the Austrian or the Russian
side. The principal efforts present are being de-
voted to arranging g grouping of the powers.
it being thought here that Russia and Great
Britain might enter into an agreement for joint
action In Macedonia. and that these two powers
would be supported by France and perhaps by
Italy.
The detection Of such important power
Austria. which, on account of her geographical
position, shared with Russia the leading part
in the efforts to settle the Macedonian problem,
renders the outlook dark. Since the seriousness
of the Russian opposition 10 Austria's plans has
become evident hints have been thrown out
from Vienna that Russia and Italy as the pow
ers most directly interested, will be allowed, in
he Of
lines, Italy one through Albania and Russia a
line from the Danube to the Adratic Sea Botf.
powers. however decline TO accept this proposal.
The Russian Ambassador to Turkey, NJ. Zino-
vief. at long audience with the Sultan on Fri
day submitted Russia's objections TO the con
struction Of the proposed railroad. which, it is
confidently expected here. will result in the post
ponenent OF the Austrian project
The impression that Austria Is acting with the
full cognizance and support of Germany. which
has been confirmed by formal statements given
out by German government officials has resulted
in an outburst OF anger against that country
affecting all circles of the Russian press and
public. This antagonism is felt with special
force in the army. where it is believed that Teu-
tonic influences are behind the Turkish activity
the Perso- Russian frontier, which again has
assumed q menacing phase.
vienna. rep ib-DeSplte of11claI assurances
that harmony has been re-established between
Austria and Russia, the situation arising from
the question of railway concessions in the Bal
kans is still tense. Neither the Foreign Office
nor the Russian Embassy is concealing the fact
that the action Of Baron Aehrenthal the
Austrian Foreign Minister, has caused deep
Germ II. ST Petersburg
Even II the Russian plans for railroad from
the Danube TO the Adriatic should be carried
out with the consent Of Austria, 1t is considered
here that the worl. OF Macedonian reform has
come A standsti.I- II is pointed out at the
Foreign Office that Russia has not yet Informed
Austria o. her plans. and it is therefore believed
by the Austrian officials that either Russia has
resolved to carry them out at all or is plan
ming some modification of them.
The government is growing sensitive under
the aggressive attacks OF the French and Rus
sian press and adverse criticism in Great Brit
ain. and will not admit that the Russo Austrian
understanding has become ineffective Indepen-
dent opinion, however. agrees that the Mnrzstes
scheme has practically ceased to exist
Washington. Feb. 16,--Cable disps tches from
London and St Petersburg recently published in
American newspapers on the Balkan situation
and the North Sea treaty questioning Ger
n1any's sincerity with regard to her announced
the attention Of Baron Sternburs, the German
Ambassador at Washington. to-day. The am
baseador said the published statements made 1t
appear as if Germany creating trouble in
Europe by refusing 10 adhere to the rules Of
reform IN Macedonia laid down by the Mdrzstsg
programme, and even hinted. he added at the
existence Of 2 secret treaty between Germany.
Austria and Turkey. The ambassadors state
ment follows:
These statements are absolutely false and un-
founded. no such treaty has ever been con-
cluded. On the contrary, Germany will give her
full assistance 10 any steps taken by Austria
and Russia in accordancA with the Murzsteg
programme The German government further
agrees. in principle with the judicial reform
favored by England, and he's directed her rep
resentattve at RstaninOple 20 sign q new
collective note 10 the Sublime Porte. With re-
gard the railway concessions in the Balkans
q question started exclusively by the Austrian
government. Germany Is doing her best 10 re-
lieve the tension which has arisen through this
question between Austria and Russia and has
done with every promise OF success. Ger
system in the Balkans most important factor
in aiding the progress of civilization il, parts of
the globe where il is especially needed.
The. treaty granting the territorial integrity
Of Norway has likewise given rise 10 similar
publications totally misrepresentiug the attitude
OF Germany with regard To the North Sea.
In suggesting an agreement on this subject
Germany laid SpeClal importance on the partici-
PATTON nT Holland. as the idea of an annexation
OF Holland by Germany has also recently been
spread hy portion OF the Western European
press. The Dutch government has taken par
IN the negotiations from the very beginning
and has expressed its high appreciation with
regard the German proposal
As far Belgian is concerned. the intentions
of Germany IN the North Sea give rise to no
suspicion Brussels Former treaties Of in
iagTiry i sufficient proof of CJermany's clear
and peaceful policy with regard Belgium
Hence. in the United States not the slightest
suspicion is noticeable TO the attitude of Ger
many in the North Sea question
Berlin. FEB. 1.-THE German Foreign Once
regards the reports from the United States and
other foreign countries Concerning the differ