The daily sentinel., 1910-11-01
THREATENING CLOUDS
ON POLITICAL HORIZON

Berlin, Nov. 1.-Heavy and threat
ening are the clouds gathering on the
political horizon of Europe, and a
general feeling of uneasiness is in
the air. AS usual, the storm is gath
ering in the always disturbed south
eastern corner of the continent-the
Balkans. For many years Europe has
suffered under the never-ceasing dis
turbances in the Balkans, and war
has only been averted because Russia
and Austria, wliie both wanting to
seize new territory there. were too
much afraid of each other to go to
any extreme that might be considered
a casus belli.
That this was the only reason was
amply proved when Austria promptly
took advantage of Russia's temporary
weakness to seize Bosnia and Herze-
govina. Now, however, new and
far more dangerous complication has
arisen, and the danger point has
moved from the frontiers of the trou-
bled territory into it's very heart. The
eyes of every statesman in Europe are
fixed on Athens and Constantinople,
and all the imps of international mis-
chief are ready to obey the whim of
an unknown Greek statesman called
to govern the politics of his native
country from the wilds of Crete or of
some passing grand vizier placed at
the helm of the Ottoman empire by
some conspiracy of army officers.
Both countries are spelling for
fight, and their leaders inspire no
confidence. NJ. Venezelos is the EN-
| bodiment of Greek national ambition,
and the young Turks are only united
in mad desire to restore their coun-
try's vanished prestige. Nothing is.
| therefore, surer than that the Cretan
question will be re-opened, and that,
with each side determined not to
| yield an inch and each looking for
external support. In this regard
| Greece is the more fortunate of the
two. for her territorial integrity is
guaranteed by the powers, Turkey.
on the other side, is keenly watching
| events in the diplomatic field and has
naturally become convinced that the
European concert is rapidly dissolv-
ing into two groups.
Bulgaria has betrayed the impend-
ing collapse by breaking with Aus
tria, whose further advance on Salon
ika would conflict with her own ter
ritorial aspirations. Next, Italy. rem
Bosnia, is agog to prevent an Austri-
an swoop on Albania Their ner-
vousness has impelled both countries
towards Russia and the two little
serf states which move in Russia S
orbit. Behind this group of territor-
| tally interested powers stand Britain
and France. The other group con-
sists OF Germany, Austria and Rou-
| mania. The latter is attached to Ger
many by dynastic ties and to Austria
by virtue of the surrender of Bessar-
abba, which Russia enforced a gener-
alton back
IN spite ~ the kaiser's assurances
OF friendship. backed up by the bluff
oi the Deuts me bank, which offers to
take care of the new German loan
while barely able to look after Ger
man financial schemes, Turkey will
undoubtedly turn to the first group,
because France has the money Tur-
Key must have, and England the ves-
sells that will settle the Cretan ques-
tion il the worst happens. But the
knowledge of this is gall and worm
wood to our German iingoes, and adds
to the bitter feeling against England
in certain circles here, which many
people think will ultimately lead to
an EngllSh-German war.
Evidence of German dreams of ex
pansion in Turkey and the near cas-
is contained in the plans of the two
banks specially organized for opera
tions in that region. Both of then
have decided to double their capita
for the purpose of extending theil
spheres OF activity.
The larger of the two, the Deutscht
Orient Ra nlg will 10 got Il m,
from $4,000,0OO to sS,000,0OO, ano
the Deutsche Palestine Bank from
81. 500 900 to S5,000.000 The two
institutions are confessed rivals, and
this increase of resources denotes a
common purpose of wagine more
active campaign for concessions and
other business, as well as a lively be-
lief in Germany's future in the neal
east.
Paris. Oct est is evident that
the preponderating influence of
France in the Imperial Ottoman Bank
is cause of umbrage. The Turks
want to see it transferred to Cen
stantinople and deprived of its pow
ers of control
| Europe forgot that the knife cut
both ways, and it expressed its CON
tentment so highly at the advent OF
the new regime. The sublime porte
will be master in its own house. The
capitulations indicated dependency
and distrust; they are to be swept
way. The prote'torate of France
over Christians in the Ottoman en-
| pire is regarded as an anachronism.
and will also be swept away. Euro
pean interference is resented all
round; and. if Turkey associates her.