Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-22

ness toward the Balkan confederation.
SO much Is said on this head that the
Mat!n OF Paris. referring TO the contef-
ence OF the ambassadors at LONDON, SAID;
THE question of the orient Is to hs
closed at London. Let Them have a care
they do not open European question:
A warning which appears to have cree
ated alarm.
Ii is intimated THAT Russia and Italy.
not To mention other powers. may have
in store for us surprises.
SURPRISES Notwithstanding I hey
NH. have subscribed to the
policy of 'disinterested-
ness 1t goes without saying that the
rumors as to the ambition Of the
powers do not AFFECT the situation Of
the Balkan confederation. whose posi-
ton as great power is based upon
it's extraordinary success and manifes-
tation OF military sense and strength.
II the ambitions of the powers have
been diverted. as Indicated TO Asia
Minor and Mesopotamia that is a ques-
ton apart from the issue. TIE Bal
kanic confederation will solve by
treaty il 1t may. by force OF arms il il
must, the question OF Turkey in Eu-
rope.
correspondent from St Petersburg
writes that the attitude OF Russia and the
Russian press Is regarded with suspicion
in both Austrian and Italian circles. When
Russia declared her disinterestedness IN
the matter OF the territorial acquisition OF
the Balkan confederation Austria misin-
terpreted Russia s meaning and thereupon
inaugurated a political Irritation with Bul-
garia. But the Irritation soon ceased when
ii was made clear that the union of the
st. Petersburg remained behind Belgrade
exactly as Berlin remains behind Vienna
On the side OF Berlin il is political
bond. On the side of ST. Petersburg Ia is
moral as well racial bond And this
correspondent adds. IL TO corroborate
the suspicious emitted. that Russia IL
contemplating some action: The hour
which has struck for Russia IL one which
may not strike twice. Her army is ready:
her economical and financial situation was
never more favorable. the Balkans
confederation IS triumphant by its own
strength; nothing is wanting to Russia's
re-entry upon the scene" Now at this
moment. writes the correspondent. Rus
sias voice Is raised only on the side OF
reason. rigNt and justice" Russia is
quietly waiting for the opportunity. which
is nearer perhaps than the correspondent
thinks.
Quite apropos a dispatch from St. Pc
tersburg. dated the 18th instant az
firmed that Premier Kokov-
Russian soft in the duma. speaking
Nil on the Russian governments
OeAioA' policy. said that there was
no ground for suspecting Russia of SELF
ish designs in the Balkans But IL may
be remarked that the premier said moth
ing of any arrangement which Russia
might be making in Mesopotamia.
We should not be deceived at any rate
as to the situation that confronts Eu-
rope today. If the powers for moment
ever held the idea which NJ. Hanotaux
attributes to them of Imposing Euro
pean'' peace upon the Balkan confedera-
ton that idea will surely be dissipated at
the conference at London. On the con-
trary, the Balkan confederation will inn
pose "Balkanic" peace upon the Turks
at London. and If not. then at Constan-
tinople. If the ambassadors conference
at London proposes to finish up Turkey.
that must be I'm Asia AS for Turkey
IN Europe. that will be the affair OF the
Balkan confederation without interfer-
ence of the powers. In any event IL
looks at this moment as If Turkey must
have eternal regret that she did not
treat with her valiant and generous VIC
tor at Baghtche.
The accidents of war may give a re-
newed lease of life to Turkeys rule i'm
Europe, but it is extremely doubtful
Turkey has maintained herself i'm Eu-
rope since a half century In exploiting
more or less intelligentiy the rivalries
which exist between the great powers.
submitted to many mutilatfons; new
states have been created at the en-
pire's expense. immense territories have
been taken by Europe in Asia and
Africa OF four centuries Of conquest
there subsists only an empire in full
moral and political decomposition.
power fated to fall and which four
little nations. born to independence al
most without the knowledge OF the
great powers. have smashed beyond the
power of resurrection after twenty-five
days of military operations which have
excited the admiration OF Christian
Europe.
the Turk is about to be driven from
Europe, for his routed army is nee
ing to the Asiatic shore. certain
Christian powers would prevent the
Balkanic states from reaping the fruits
of their victories and maintain the
crescent in Europe for their own seinsh
interests Chief among these powers
is Christian Austria, whose singular
diplomacy counseled the Turks to re-
s'stance though resistance was futile
Austria. which formerly had been
threatened by the Turkish hordes. with
the inevitable massacre OF CHRISTIANS
which has made the name OF TURK un-
ed to be the defender of the cross
AGAINST the crescent. Austria hnaliy
is the defender of the crescent against
the cross, Happily for the cross Rus
sia ALWAYS the faithful defender. Is
ON guard prepared and ready To save
from further shame and humiliation.
:. =
Turkey is not nation that merits
the pity which IL might have earned had
ii nobly marked its place
No Pity in history or contributed
Deserved. s IN any Hro way to If the Mm
ity. The Turks were never other than
conuuerors. whose influence never "N-
tended beyond their brutal acts. I'm
four centuries they have not learned to
exploit or develop their conquestA
Their reign is unmarked by any prog
ress i'm the sciences. arts. industries
or commerce: ii was simple influence
of destruction and there is no interest
for humanity that ii should survive.
| deem it scarcely necessary Ia add
that my judgment is rendered against
a system and not against the Turk as
a man. for l have met many truly great
and good Turks whose judgment OF
their system policy would be no less
severe than that I have expressed.
The powers may seek in vain a preteNt
Ix- bich