Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-14
THE PRESENT RUSSIAN SITUATION

The visits OF the King and Queen Of
Bulgaria to Vienna and Berlin and in
turn the visit OF the King OF
Royal Montenegro to Vienna have
w.. had serious reflection in diplo-
A'S' matte circles. which ind in
them the confirmation OF bo-Bul-
garian alliance Besides there is some
excited speculation over the recent
visits of the emperors OF Germany and
Russia and likewise the projected visit
OF the King OF England to ST. Petersburg.
1t cannot be expected that Russia will
View with eauanimity bo-Bulgarian
alliance based upon an entente with Ger
many and Austria Hungary Neverthe-
less after the unexpected that happened
in the Bosnia-Herzegovina surprise diplo-
mats are on the qui vive for other star
Ting Developments.
This Serbo- Bulgarian alliance is GER
tainiy an unexpected move. and must
naturally disturb the peace OF mind OF
Russia more than another. Russia has
expended in the past q great deal of at
tention to the possibilities OF the creation
OF Serb nation in the Balkans. but
latterly, and for manifest reasons, Rus
decided disposition to peace and peace
counSels.
1t is not likely that Germany has any
interest in the Turko- Bulgarian alliance
IL there should be such an alliance in
progress-Germany having. In the first
place. real and tangible interest in de-
Tending Turkish autonomy. and, there
fore. the maintenance OF the status quo
In the Balkans. An offensive move on the
part Of Servia. Bulgaria and Montenegro
would seriously imperil German relations
at Constantinople If the Turks suspect
ed for a moment that Germany was aid
ing and abetting it. In order to appear
logical, Germany recently, at the risk of
exciting the anger of Italy. invited the
latter in friendly communication TO
refrain from selling the port OF MYTH
lene 1t is necessary, therefore. to
count Germany out of any attempt to
change the situation in the Balkans adj
versely to Turkey.
The Austrians. however have no such
interests as their ally at Stamboul. Aus
tria has bitten SO deeply
Austrian into the Balkanic apple
which Bismarck offered
her, ins!diously perhaps.
in 1878 that 1t is not impossible that
Austria may seek to devour the apple.
core and all. Count d'Aehrenthal point
ed the way and Count Berchtold may de-
sire to follow up his predecessors sue
cessful experience. OF course, there
stands in the way of these ministerial
ambitions the luminous figure Of the
Emperor Francis Joseph. whose mind Is
entirely clear and who is not given to
daring enterprises, but who, nevertheless.
did encourage the Bosnia Herzegovina
affair
On the other hand, the Balkanic states
Servia. Bulgaria and Montenegro are
burning for action, and. despite the fact
that Russia Is the little father" Of the
Serb the Serb Is becoming impatient Of
the "old mans councils which defer
the elimination Of his hopes.
Assuming that Austria could float sue
cessfully this second enterprise and &C
Turk the situation might be even worse
for the Balkan states, whose neighbors
might prove even more dangerous than
the Turk. It is by no means certain that
the Balkans would fall to the control Of
any small power. Hence, Saloniki and
than some one great power which would
absorb them
1t is stated that Servia's attention was
attracted to the projected ''Serbo Bull
sarian alliance by note from Sofia.
The Tripolitan war. II is said. was the
inspiration-the Tripoiftan war being a
unique occasion to solve the Macedonian
problem.
The Gazette de Voss claims to have re-
ceived from Sofia the following dispatch:
ION the return of King Ferdinand GER
tain Macedonian chiefs will seek to OBJ
tain from the king g. solution of the
Macedonian question. II is reported at
Sofia that the unique object OF the royal
visits to Berlin and Vienna is to arrange
a partition Of Macedonia between AUS
tria and Russia, Bulgaria to be given in
satisfaction a piece Of the vilayet Of
AndrianOple.'
On the other hand, it is rumored that
because OF the enigmatic policy of Rus
STA in the near east the
Serbs and Bulgarian government
communicated with the
ouAsaiidAS. Servian COVE rnment,
and. advising it Of its apprehension, pro-
posed an entente as TO the means to OBJ
tain a guarantee OF their mutual indie
pendence in case Russia should conclude
an arrangement either with Austria or
with Italy prejudicial to Bulgaria or to
Servia. The cabinet of Belgrade well
coined the overtures of the Bulgarian
and a secret entente was
promptly formed 90. But it appears
that an armed Intervention has not been
considered, except in case third party
should invade Turkey in Europe, or In
case that power should be dislocated.
The Gazette de Cologne. commenting
upon the visit of the royal Bulgarian
couple in connection with the rumors OF
a Serbo- Bulgarian alliance. writes:
I'VE do not know il Russia approves
the combination announced in the Temps;
1t appears doubtful. Given the tact and
political intelligence Of the King OF Bull
garia, it is not possible that he has come
to request Austria and Germany to ap-
prove his aggressive plans"
The Post, commenting upon the toasts
of King Ferdinand, writes: The toasts
of Friday are not different in tone from
ordinary official speeches Nevertheless
il should be remarked that at Potsdam.
as at Vienna. the King Of Bulgaria re-
piled evasively to the expressions OF his
imperial inter,ocutor, hoping for the pa
cifc progress Of Bulgaria.
The Dernieres Nouvelles of kiel writes:
The King Of Bulgaria comes perhaps to
sound the views OF Berlin as to the
TRANSFORMED ton Of his kingdom into a great
Bulgaria. He wishes evidently TO put
into contact he frirlo l.