The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-18
TRIPLE ALLIANCE
 IS NEAR AN END
Things Are Happening in a
 Hurry in the Far East
AN INTERESTING FIGURE
In European Political Arena Is Not the Pope, the Cgar Kaiser, But Plain MT. VenigeIOs of
 Ereta

weeks ago tomorrow Prince Nicholas of Montenegro was proclaimed king of the little country, an event, which though in itself insignificant, may lead up to po- litical events of the greatest importance, for symptoms were not lacking that it marked the beginning of the end of the Triple Alliance.
 Although the celebrations at the little capital of Cetinje were of an absolutely anti-Austrian character, King Victor Emanuel, the head of Italy, which is all lied to Austria. was present and had long conference with the King of Bulga- ria, Russian grand duke asd the Ser vian crown prince.
 Austrian diplomats know very well what this means. Italy is eager to strengthen her main bulwark against the Austrian advance down the eastern Adriatic. Bulgaria Is anxious to remind her ally of two years back that further expansion towards Salonika conflicts with her interests. Seryia is still indig- nant at the memory of recent humilia- tions. Russia is thankful to prove that she still counts for something in the near east Behind the combination is France whose fleet hastened to visit Anti Vari when that port was thrown open.
 Faced with such a formidable oppo- sition Austria has gladly noted the friendly overtures of / Turkey. The statesmen of Constantinopie are anxious to prevent a Greco Bulgarian rapproach- ment. and have suddenly shown them selves keenly alive to Bulgar sufferings. For with Bulgaria conciliated the Turks have the Greeks at their mercy, and can settle the Cretan question more or less at their pleasure. Bulgaria then must be either appeased or blanlxeted, and that at once, for the last few days have brought a new and, to Turkish eyes, a sinister figure into the foreground of Greek politics.
 The most interesting figure in Europes political arena at present is, not the Kaiser, the Czar or the Pope, but plain MT. Venizelos, president of the Greek government of Kreta, and since the re- cent elections to the Greek national as- sembly the absolute master of Greece.
 About 50 years of age. his name was, until few weeks ago, practically un- hnown in the political world He is an exceedingly eloquent energetic and pow erful politician who under the surface of a fiery temper possessed much skill and cool statesmanship. The people of Greece needed a hero and when they could not find him at home they brought him over from Kreta. His first act was to resign from all his offices on the stormy little island, and 1t now remains to be seen if he in cooperation with King George will be able to restore or der in the political chaos in Greece, which threatens the peace of Europe.
 The general opinion here is that the "Venizelos Episode" will prove new disappointment to the people of Greece and no wonder. What means does Ven izelos possess to bring about the union of Kreta and Greece? How will he succeed to put an end to the pernicious factional strife in Greece? Will he be able to help the poor peasants in Thes- sally. who are carrying on desperate fight for their very existence on Greek soil, almost entirely owned by Turkish magnates?
 Venizelos would have to be almost more than human to solve all these difficulties, but he is to be praised for being patri- otic enough to make the attempt.
 The wonderful little brown men of Japan have accomplished the apparent miracle of destroying and swallowing an immense empire-Corea. One would be inclined to think that this event would have caused a sensation all over the world, but 1t did not Nobody in the whole world seemed to care the least for the fate of Corea. That it quietly be- came a part of the smaller empire of Japan was looked upon as the most nat ural thing in the world for this treason No great culture is lost with Corea. Hardly nation, for the Corean people do not deserve to be called nation Without murmur they have submitted to an ambitious and strong nation. and having cared nothing for their national independence they deserved only ob- livion. Their end is miserable, but not trasical.
 The fate of Finland is a tragedy, as are the fates of Schleswig, Alsace-Lor- raine and Poland, for in each of these suppressed countries the people are even today fighting for what are the only things that count--their national lives, their language, their culture. In Corea no fight, only dumb submission.
 To tell the truth, we had expected bere that America would oppose the an nexation, but nothing happened. With Russias consent, given in advance the