Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-27
TURN IN BALKAN AFFAIRS
A~bdication of ServiaB Crown Prince
Puts New Aspect On Some
PrObIema.

LONDON, March a6.-The Balkan diff
Guilty has assumed a somewhat new aspect,
owing to the sensational news OF the
abdlcation Of the Servian crown prince.
The prince hitherto has been considered
the leader of the war party at Belgrade
and his firebrand speeches rave done much
to inflame the feelings OF the Servian
people. There are not wanting those both
here and at Vienna who believe that a
political move underlies his renunciation.
Whether or not this is the case, 1t is
certain tina the removal of the crown
prince from the scene is a step making
fer peace. II will be easier under present
conditions for Servia to retreat from a
difficult situation. Advices received here
tonight are of a more hopeful character.
Distinct rumors that Austro-Hungary is
sending an ultimatum to Servia may be
dismissed as unfounded. Great Britain and
the other powers are still actively seeking
a peaceful issue.
BELGRADE, March\25.-A cabinet council
tonight decided that the premier is in
competent to receive a direct communica-
ton from Crown Prince George, who 10
subject only to his fathers authority. The
premier will therefore return the letter
which the crown prince sent to him re-
nouncing his right Of succession to the
servian throne and will advise the prince
to address himself to the king.
Recently a bitter press campaign has
been waged against the crown prince. He
had been accused Of being implicated In
the death Of one of his servants, a man
named Kolakovits, and IT Is now learned
that the prince took his action because
of a threatened Interpolation in the ma
tional assembly on this subject. The prince
now declares that before leaving the coun-
try he will await the final result OF the
pending political situation and will Join
the volunteers an a private in the event
OF war.
VIENNA. March a.-The joint council of
the Hungarian ministers presided over by
Archduke Francis decided this evening to
postpone for the present the delivery of
the next note to Servia, and 1t is reported
that an inclination was shown to accept
the last Anglo-RusSian proposal on behalf
of Servia.
Baron Won Aehrenthal, the Austrian for
eign minister. had an interview with En-
peror Francis Joseph prior to the meeting
Of the council and it is said thai his
majesty again insisted that peace must be
preserved, even going so far as to declare:
I'VE do not want war, even IL giving way
means a blow to Austro-Hungarian
prestige"
RunOr of UItimatum.
PARIS, March 26.-It Is held in official
circles that the Balkan situation, on ac-
count OF the unreconciliable attitude of
Austra-Hungsry, has now reached its most
acute stage and that a few days will de-
eide between peace and war. The efforts
of Great Britain, France and Russia TO
present a formal settlement Of the diff
culty-acceptable to Baron Won Aehrenthal,
the Austro-Hungarian minister OF foreign
misunderstanding failed, Austria-Hungary is
expected forthwith to deliver an ultimatum
at Belgrade. After this. II Servia refuses
to make complete surrender, no doubt ex-
lists in Paris that Austria-Hungsry will
d{anatch nm army acroaa tho fronttar