Evening star., 1912-06-30

Russian alliance.
Finally. In Turkey there is continued
internal strife with the committee OF
union and progress" The unfortunate
closing of the straits placed all Europe
on the back Of Turkey. and the latter has
not yet quite recovered from the effect OF
that impolitic act
In Europe as elsewhere. the statesman
is lacking to lead Since the disappear
ance of Count d Aehrenthal
Lacking a no one appears 10 take his
place in the diplomatic field.
AcoucA. This fact. as we'll that po-
litical problems are henceforth largely
grated with social and economical aues-
tions. renders the role of the leader more
and more difficult II s not at all impos-
sihle that much OF the fear and disquet
in political circles has inspired the project
OF an international conference as a port
OF safety.
The first care of the international con-
ference. II appears, is 10 put an end to
the ltalo-Turktsh war. The announce
ment of the proposed convention. II SHOULD
be remarked. emanates from the Russian
press The Italian journals AFFECT TO treat
II with carelessness and indifference.
One OF them has said: Heaven defend
us from the verdict of Europe, Let us
! count only on our arms. Bat notw1th-
stan ng the apparent Indifference which
is on the surface. the patient observer
may detect that below the surface, Italy.
il assured that Europe will not order her
| to evacuate the Tripoltan. VIII only he
too happy that the powers may interfere
| to convince Turkey that she must accept
the situa tom
The intE0Ceable party in Turkey have
| finally low Il their heads disquieteh. not
so much because Of the loss OF the islands
in, hir,a1 a1a nf ba 81 n
Albania and Macedonia, which is more
! and more menacing. At Constantinople
| the question is now asked If IL would
not he wise to join in the demand for an
/ International conference. the better to
/ safeguard the Ottoman empire"
| In England there is more trouble over
| the operations of the Italian feet in the
| archipelago than in Turkey The words
naval base" and ''coaling station in the
eastern Mediterranean have produced their
| effect in England England then will has
| ten perhaps to put an end to war
which possibly deprives England OF some
in the Mediterranean.
| In Germany and Austria. whose attitude
is enigmatic. their feeling toward the
conference is altogether
prnhlan <;col problematical Ger
! many's moods are most
Attlrude. mercurial and her situa-
ton ia by no means clear Italy is an
ally whose interests Germany is supposed
! to defend Turkey is a friend with whcm
she hopes to accomplish many things
| How to conciliate that situation is a prob
lem which puzzles the brain OF the Ger
man emperor Taking into account the
doubtful benefits for Germany OF the
Alreciras conference in which Austria
| attitude was not favorable, Germany Will
| doubtless oppose the proposed conference
The congress OF Berlin was called Tor
| the revision of the treaty of San Stefano.
But that did not prevent IL from treating
| matters which did not concern either tho
| Turks or the Russians. II wouid ne the
same with the international conference
despite the desire to limit the program.
BESIDES there is an immense latent de-
sire TO settle all pending questions in a
congress and escape thus private con-
versation with an interested power SIT
Edward Grey said the other day In the
/ review North and South.
IAN understanding should not be
| brought about by one nation with another
nation. but by groups In one nation with
groups in another Too much oistrust
] reigns TODAY between the different states
that compose the great European powers.
But II is possible to prepare an agree
ment between grdhps more tmpersonal.
| such, for example. as groups OF people
in the triple alliance and In the triple
entente
The conception OF Sir Edward Grey
may be quite just. But there is a point
| which we should not fail TO remark-that
| is, that II the partners OF the triple entente
do not wish TO expose themselves to de.
ceptions in that diplomatic tilt they will
be wise TO take some precautions. and
| notably to come 10 frank understand
| ing as to their respective policy. This is
! all the more necessary that Count Won
L H., 49, al ti14 ~ n
most perfect unity Of views between Ger
| many and Austria during his visit to
| Berlin. In the triple entente camp a
| like work should have been accomplished
long ago. How absurd that Russia.
! France and England have not better COM
| posed their joint action at Constantinople.
and how absurd also that France and
| England did not decide upon their joint
action before entering upon a separate
negotiation at Madrid.
The project Of an international confer
ence will have the effect Of clearing the
| political atmos sphere OF
| International rumors and doubts con-
-. cerning the sincerity Of
NcCcsSltAeS' this or that power in
its relation to the triple alliance or the
triple entente as the case may be Inc
international conference will show con-
clusiyely the necessity of an alliance or
fensi,e and defensive between France ana
England 1t will show also that the al
lance between France and Russia re-
mains firm and undisturbed despite the
rumors TO the contrary which have re-
Gently furnished fuel for the press or Ger
many. ,,,
So long as the Franco-English alliance
is nnaccomplished so long the public
will be disqueted by rumors that tend
10 disturb the peace. The pangermanic
nress of Germany will continue TO ex-
press doubts of the solidity OF the
cordial relations of the triple entente.
and will not abandon the hope OF de-
stroying the latter entirely.
! Parliamentary speeches are often made
for the exclusive benefit of the member
constituency: unfortunately. they fire.
ouently go over the latter's head ana
| fall amid infammable matter. The
speeches of Lord Haldane and Lord
Crewe in the house of lords recently
were of this class. Lord Crewe. for
some reason undertook to reassure his
constituents who. In view of the pro-
| iected Franco English alliance. were eN-
cited over their military system. which
might be revised. Lord Crewe said
that the conditions might he such that
England would send six divisions 10 the
continent but. on the other hand, Eng
land might not be obliged to send
single man" This somewhat delphian
declaration has been variously construed
in Germany. and IL is certain has not
served the cause of peace or allayed
the too bellicose spirit across the Rhine