The Ordway new era., 1912-01-26
NE Of the political sensa-

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tions Of recent years wal
V&$W1 the sudden seizure by Aus
tria OF the Turkish prov
tLLEW inces OF Bosnia and Here
S8MA govina, which she had beer
S1SS permitted temporarily to oc
cupy under the terms OF the
Berlin treaty. II will be remembered
that. following upon Turkeys success
full rebellion against Abdul Hamid and
his deposition, Count Won Aerenthal.
the Austrian foreign secretary. effect
ed this coup d'etat In the face OF Ser
Wan and Russian remonstrances. and
nearly provoked European war.
For several weeks the situation was
critical. England and France promised
Russia material support should she
draw the sword against the Austrian.
Then Germany stepped to Austria's
side and flung down her gauntlet in
the face of Europe. And Russia yield.
ed, threw over the western powers
with their proffered assistance and rat
flied Austria in her high.handed action.
Nothing had created SO great a sensa-
ton In a couple Of decades. Why.
with France and England backing her.
did Russia play the craven? l think
l can for the first time supply the an
swer to the mystery.
was living in my chambers in Half
Moon street. Piccadilly. awaiting a
summons from the government. when
one morning. SO early that the shops
had scarcely taken down their shut
.ers, a messenger came dashing up my
stairs demanding my immediate pres
ence at Buckingham palace. where the
king was then in residence. hurried
thither In a taxicab. and was ushered
into the royal library. There I found
King Edward and Sir Edward Grey.
the foreign secretary. together. Sir
Edward Grey was dishevelled and his
features had the haggard aspect one
looks for In a man Of middle life who
has been up all night. The king. al
though immaculate as he always is,
seemed almost as distressed. When
entered. his majesty came cordially
toward me.
Captain Adams" he began. this Is
a problem which even you will hardly
solve. I fear. Nevertheless. II you can
suggest any possible solution. shall
be indebted vastly to you. Now
these are the facts:
"Aa you are Of course aware. Eng.
land and France have offered Russia
armed support in the event Of her tn
king up arms against the German and
Austrian pretensions and championing
Servia. who claimed the reversion
OF the two provinces which Austria
has occupied. For several weeks the
affair has hung fire. But Austria has
brought 1t to an issue. An ultimatum
has been sent to Servia. demanding
that she withdraw all claim to tho two
provinces within seventy.two hours.
Servia has been telegraphing frantical-
ly to st. Petersburg. asking whether
Russia will support her in her defiance
Of the Austrians. The ultimatum ex-
pires ON Tuesday evening at six
o'clock. That day at noon the car
meets his counsellors to debate his an
swer. The answer means peace or
war Tor Europe.
I'VE consider It Of the utmost conse-
Quence that Nicholas defy the Ger
mans and announce to Servia his un.
qualified support Of her demands. It
will mean war: but war is better than
acQuiescence in q contemplate act Of
spoliation. VIII the car declare for
war and accept our aid? As you
know. Captain Adams. his mind Is al.
most that Of simpleton-I only say
what you are doubtless we'll aware Of.
He falls. during such times as these,
into q state Of profound melancholia,
In which. unable to speak. barely to
recognize those around him. he obeys
automatically the command OF his ad
visers.
who are his advisers! Philippe
the magician and medium who pre-
tends to summon up the spirit Of his
father. Alexander ILL.,. really a plant
tool In the hands Of the grand dukes
Michael. Alexis and the rest-all Ger
manophile. General Kaulbars leads the
pro-German party: General Linievitct
ia almost the sole advocate Of oul
claims. Nevertheless. at present LIME
witch Is in the ascendency. It Is be
lieved the car will urge Servia to def,
Germany.
Nov we come to the point. To pre-
vent Nicholas from assisting Servia
Philippe and Kaulbars and the grans
dukes have entered into a conspiracy
Unless he telegraphs an affirmative re
sponse to Servia's plea on Tuesda!
morning she will surrender to Austrii
and all will be lost. To prevent thi
response from being given. the cza
is to be put out Of the way for twenty
four hours. On Monday afternoon
when he goes for his accustomed driv
In his steel coach. which was built t
protect him against assassination, tn
doors will be bolted and the horse
urged at a furious pace into the depth
Of the forest, where Nicholas will b
maronned left lost and Rtranded I