Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-21
BALKANS AND EUROPEAN PEACE

The situation In the Balkans has been
grave. but the dispatches Of the 18th In
slant afford q reasonable
Cancellation hope that Cancellation may
yet be effected. The dis
1ossAoAo' patches have been singu-
larly contradictory and vague. kilograms
Of the 18th instant from Belgrade. Berlin.
Vienna and st. Petersburg expressed the
belief that war between Austria-Hungary
and Servta was imminent. The bourses in
the various capitals of Europe were de-
pressed Again it was announced from
London that because the German navy
would have seventeen or twenty-one Dread
noughts In 1912 there was panic in London.
Then. again. 1t was announced that the
foregoing statement would Insure peace at
the present, because Germany, having Sc
cret hopes OF crushing Great Britain a
few years hence. would not allow Austria
to drag her into dangerous adventures to-
day.
The experienced diplomat may find in
the foregoing assertion a confirmation OF
what has been insinuated in some quar-
tiers. namely. that the conflict in the Bal
kans Is full Of dangerous possibilities"
occidental powers whose rivalry Is i'm
placable because economical. industrial
and political-a conflict between England
and Germany.
nected with the Balkan question which
are manifested in a recent dispatch from
London, which significantly says: This
crisis Is the direct outcome OF the Russo
Japanese war. Austria's whole policy is
based upon the assumption that Russia
is unable to undertake a Balkan war.
Were 1t not for this Austria would not
dare pursue her present course 1t is
clearly evident that Austria is fully de-
termined to compel Servia to eat dirt or
fight, and she hopes the Servian hotspurs
will choose the latter alternative"
A dispatch from Belgrade the 18th in
slant mentions Servia's reply to the Aus
tro-Hungarian note of
Servta's the 9th instant with ref
p.,,z erence to Servia's circular
note to the powers of the
18th instant. Servia expresses the opin-
Ion that 1t would have been more in con-
formity with the interests Of the two
powers II the monarchy had submitted
the treaty OF commerce which had al
ready received the force Of law in Servia
to the parliaments of Vienna and Buda-
pest, In spite Of the fact that the time
for the ratification had expired. Its &C.
ceptance or rejection would have served
either to nix starting point for negotia-
| hand, to show that the parliaments with
their agrarian views advise the aban-
comment In general Of any idea Of con-
GLIDING treaty with q conventional tar
III between Austria-Hungary and Servia.
1t is reported that the Emperor Francis
Joseph has personally interviewed to find
way out Of the deadlock.
The London Times correspondent at
Vienna writes on the 9TH instant:
THE Austro-Hungarian conflict with
Servia Is still obscure. There is apprehen-
sion that the acquiescence of Servia in
Russian advice conceals a ruse The
| most interesting utterance of the foreign
office press Is g. long semi-official COM
munication to the Zeit. The Servian an
swer to Russia formulates no claim what
ever, but intrusts Her cause to the pow
ers. BY this statement Servia takes a
stand that may develop into a rearguard
action"
The Zelt prints. it is remarked. long
| review Of Austrian military preparations,
IN which 1t is set forth that the army has
been brought to pitch OF readiness for
envy. Nearly 1900 new field guns have
been cast, tested and distributed, also
5000 ammunition wagons and q half mil
lion shells. Machine guns are being rap
CN1y AudAuldCSOICO duV UlSlTlUuI6Q. In
case Of war $500 of these would be
available. Five hundred million cartridges
for small arms are also ready. THE cost
OF these armaments." the Zeit adds. lis
more than f6, 666. $685.
+ x
From Berlin. on March 8. the North
German Gazette is reported as having re-
proved a certain part of
German the German press for
A.4.4.. maintaining that the at
titude of Austria-Hun-
gary was unconciliatory. Should Aus
tria- Hungary be expected to bargain
with the consent Of the powers or with
any one OF them concerning a Servian
treaty Of commerce or the details of
Austro-Servian railway Connection" The
aiOsrer to that question is so clearly in
the negative that nobody who really de-
sires peaceful and proper settlement of
outstanding differences ought to ask
mandatory Of Servia to her negotiations
upon economic questions. 1t is obscurely
added: There can be no question Of an
attempt to intimidate and to humiliate
conclusion that such an attempt must be
founded on the refusal Of the dual mon
archy supported by Germany"
From st. Petersburg Ma: Oh 5 dispatch
EclcTTluS 10 M. 4SVOlSky diplomacy az
firms that Germany, following NJ. lsvol-
sky's advice, counseled Servia to refer
all to the signatories Of the treaty of Ber-
lin; that Austria's demand for direct con-
versation with Belgrade would be formal
ly realized and 1t would remain to be
seen what use Austria would make Of the
diplomatic bridge SO tactfully thrown
across the Danube by NJ Isvolsky."
From Belgrade Marcn a correspondent
writes: 1.-THE attitude Of Austria, who
desires Servia to apply directly to vi
emma Is to be deplo ed and discounts
the good intention attributed to Vienna
on account Of Count Forbach's return.
What has already occurred Is bitter
stand hat in hand on the door step of
the dual monarchy is. to say the least,
tantamOunt to letting Austria hit man
already down. Servia will argue that In
view Of the confidence she is prepared to
put in the powers she deserves a better
fate"
The Temps declares that Servia, 1t must
be recognized, represents a moral force
with which Austria must count. With
the latter's relations with the little king
dom depends the future problem Of the
Yougoslav. which is both interior and ex-
erior at the same time. q problem which
Russia will not permit to be solved bru-
tally. If the Serbs do not furnish arms to
will maintain the future development Of
their nationality in remaining center
of attraction and culture for their broth
ers, subjects Of Austria.
The Temps. answering Servia's reply
to the action of Russia through the In
termediary Of the minister Of Russia. sup
ported by the ministers Of France. Eng