The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-03-06
BRITAIN 5 BIG FLEET
IS GUARANTEE
Of PEACE
VIM. 7. STEAD DECLARES THERE
WILL BE NO BALKAN WAR lF
ENGLAND BACKS HER ALLIES
BIG FLEET FOR PEACE

LONDON, March 6-The old world
is in the midst of rumors OF war. The
situation changes from day TO day
but the fundamental features are un'
altered
Servia and Montenegro. sulky ana
snarling, irritaIe Austria. Five OF the
Powers propose TO make representa-
tions az Belgrade. but Russia aostains'
so nothing is done. Four Of the pow
ers propose TO make representations
at Vienna. but Germany abstains and
nothing is done
Austrian journalists threaten an ultl-
matum TO Servia.
Who are YOU bullying" cries Ser
via, Il amt done nothing.
tbs an odd situation. SerVia is not
making military preparations to at
tack, but TO repel attack, and now she
is summoned 10 abandon preparations
on penalty OF being attacked
Nobody would mind much what hap
pened 10 Seryia If Russia could be
&c nded upon not TO interfere, but
IL nobody can guarantee. Official
enthusiasm. and. like the nursery tale
the sequence follows. II Austria at
tacks Servia, Russia attacks Austria
German attacks Russia. France at
tacks Germany and England-what
will England do? That is the question
OF questions
II England says she will throw IN
her lot with her allies. Austria won't
attack Seryia. Russia won't attack
Austria. and there will be no war
Hence the strength OF the British fleet
is the ultimate guarantee OF European
peace.
No importance is attached here "a
War Minister Haldanes grandiose
project OF an Imperial British army
with Canadian and Australian divis
ions. II is regarded as theatrically
produced TO meet domestic politica
exigencies Any attempt 10 material
lie the scheme will meet with the
strongest opposition from the English
people. who dislike inoculating th'
new world with the virus OF the ole
world militarism.
Little or nothing is said in the well
disciplined British press about tn
kings health But it is doubtful
whether Edward VII. will again opel
parliament.
II is an open secret that his medi
cal advisers depreciate his exposing
himself 10 the inclement and ever
changing weather OF an English Febru
AIRY. Last year the dread OF facing
The northeast wind Kept the king il
The south OF France, even when ST
Henry Campbell Zimmerman was dy
ing. His absence from London a
such "A time OF crisis was only excus
ed because the condition of the king
throat and chest was alleged TO b.
such that his life would have been en-
dangered had he come home
This year he decided to risk Feb
ruary in Berlin. and he paid the price
As II 10 punish his temerity. the tenn
perature fell below zero, and II wa
officially admitted that the king hat
got cold" AS he is now quite wei
again. there is no harm in admitting
that this cold was serious enough L
create much alarm. IL was one o
those attacks OF violent coughing ii
which a smokers sore throat com 0ine
with the Inflammation OF the bron
chial tubes to produce a paroxysm no
unlike whooping cou n II is Oecaus'
the king is increasingly subject 4
these attacks that IL would excite n,
surprise il next year parliament wa
opened by commission.
Better an absentee monarch than ;
royal funeral