Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-25

SO much the worse for them"
On top OF the Albanian trouble there
tween the military posts on the frontier
OF Turkey. Montenegro and Bulgaria.
There have been bloody engagements in
Berana. Docan and kolachine. and at
Kotchani. on the Bulgarian frontier. the
explosion OF a bomb had resulted in con-
siderable loss OF life These questions il
should be added are receiving the prompt
attention of the Turkish minister of jus
tice and will In each case receive AMIGA
able adjustment and the offenders will
be punished.
The conflict on the Turco- Montenegro
frontier excites particular attention at
Rome. An armed conflict between Tur-
key and Montenegro Is viewed at Rome
with alarm. Ii is certain that IL one or
the Balkanic states should march against
Turkey the others would surely follow.
For this reason and to prevent such "a
catastrophe the interested powers are
using their most pacific efforts at the
capitals of these states. 1t appears that
the powers are proceeding upon the
knowledge that agreements have been
made at Sofia, Belgrade, Cettinje and
Athens to attack Turkey conformity when-
ever the complications In the Balkans
II is quite well known that since the
insurrection in Albania Montenegro
has become nervous and
Montenegro perhaps. DESTROYS Of
Dali, precipitating q conflict
AeStAess. with Turkey. King
Nicholas is in a bad humor because
Italy in war with Turkey since
eleven months has never wished to At
tack her enemy. In the BalkAnto
peninsula. Montenegro Ia brave and
audacious and consults her own scnt-
ments. which are chafed by inaction
when she sees a brilliant occasion TO
strike blow for the liberty that burns
in the soul OF the Montenegrin noun
taineer. Italy thus does not see the
case as Montenegro. for Italy compre-
hends that the overthrow OF Turkey
by the Balkanic states does not mean
necessarily the partition OF Turkey by
these small states. On the contrary.
Ilaly feeis that the partition would be
made by the great states and the par
tition would be the pretext for war.
In Rome ii Is rumored in official circles
that the authorities are considering
the best means of pacihcation OF the
frontiers of the Balkans. the utility.
even the urgency. OF submitting the
incidents to the tribunal of The Hague.
European correspondents have been
sending dispatches recently from Rome
and London announcing the imminence
of peace negotiations between Turkey
and Italy with the view of ending their
war. The two countries are reported
as in complete accord. That Is 10 say.
Turkey accepts the loss of Tripoli
and Italy is ready to indemnify the
porte generously. while admitting the
spiritual sovereignty OF the caltpn over
the Mussulmans in the Aegean sea.
The Popolo Romano qualities these ru-
mors as ridiculous fables" and the
Giornale d'Itaia affirms that they are
not only false but that they are In
spired by Swiss hotel keepers who have
imagined to turn the information
into money which will thereby flow
into their Golfers.
Dispatches from Vienna and Paris re-
port news wh'-h is given credence In
Official circles. The dis
AuStria's patches relate that the EN-
peror Francis Joseph re-
GAoII. ceived Count Berchtoid.
minister of foreign affairs, In audience:
that the latter submitted his report a.
to his movement to induce Turkey 70
grant autonomy to some Of the Balkan
states. notably Macedonia and Albania.
it is said. does not propose In
tervention or q general solution OF the
near east question. Austria merely
points out through Count BercheoiA
the advantages Of supporting the pres
emit regime in Turkey and notifying the
Balkan states to be quiet. These latter
dispatches, which appear to nave boon
echoed in the press generally. are not
With a Turkish ministry
presided over by such a man as Gna0
Moukhtar, and aided by such liberal
minded patriots as Kiamtl. Hilmi ana
others. this proposition to the powers.
ostensibly emanating from the Emperor
Francis Joseph. may be inspired, IN
fact, by the new Turkish cabinet.
A dispatch from Paris declares the
proposition to be a master stroke on the
part of Francis Joseph. II the powers
signatory of the treaty OF Berlin accept
ed. 1t was probable that autonomy would
be accorded to Albania. to Macedonia, to
the Greeks Of the Turkish islands and TO
Crete. Thus Francis Joseph would have
held back the dissolution OF Turkey In
Europe without changing Austrias as
pirations.
The solution OF the question OF the east
even a partial solution-that is con-
summation devoutly TO be wished Tor.
This question OF the east which Is the
trouble fete" of the statesman. lei uh
outline 1t summariiy. We mention IL IRE.
uuently yet there are few who can reeai
its origin or its purpose
The life or death of the Ottoman en-
pire lis the question OF the east. VIII Eau
rope maintain the tnteg-
Perennial rity of the Ottoman en-
pire or let IL be destroy
question. ed? That question has
haen asked many times. 1t was asked at
Nayarin i'm 1897. again at the repeiiioh
NJ Mohammed Ally in 1899 again IN the
crimea. lS,4-55: again in the Turco-hus-
sian war. ls77-7S: again In recurring
questions. Greek. Egyptian, Cretan. Bull
ga rian. and again In the present baiksn
question.
Sidelights are being thrown ut the pres.
ent moment upon the obscure signs o.
that war in the Crtmea IN wnicn w.
STA. representing the cross, was attacAeo
Nv Turkey, England. France and Pieo-
mont. representing the crescent.
Nicholas l. for a fact. In the Husslah
note to Turkey demanded nothing oot
of rights OF the Greek Churcn
with other Christian communities SUB
iects of the porte already accorded by
Inc treaty of Kairnadji In l774 Nicholas.
suspicious of the attitude OF England az
endeavored to attach 70
cause the Emperors FRANCIS
Joseph and Napoleon. Prince Gortscna-
koff in that connection said to his French
noIleague. Count de Bearn: II cannot help
regretting that q little more connoencs
ON both sides would bring together tne
two governments whose interests ana
policy are of mutual interest. Believe me.
lear count, be on your guard against per
5dious Albion-do not prefer deceitfui over
lures to what should become sonu.
profitable and durable friendship upon
which. besides. you may always count
What a lesson in Diplomatic art.
he An