The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-10-12
GREAT POWERS CAN BRING PEACE.

N# GREAT POW ERS GAN BRING fES'E'
Infinite is the field of possibilities opened
IN by the action of the recalcitrant little State
Of Montenegro in the Balkans in starting war
with Turkey As a result of the activities OF
the imitation army of King Nicholas, Bulgaria,
servia and Greece will probably be drawn into
The war all the Balkan countries uniting
against Turkey Fighting between Turkish
troops aud Greeks and between Turks and
Bulgarians has already been reported, and
within few days the war-hre may be lighted
throughout the Balkans.
Turkey would then have a real war on It's
Aands--a war of larger proportions than the
one with Italy just ended, for the opposing
nations are closer together and the fighting
would be done on land Moreover, the people
o. the Balkan States opposing Turkey are en-
xaged in what they consider holy war, and
these have always been the most bitterly fought
Of any in the worlds history. II the powers
keep hands off the fight Will be TO a finish,
with consequences Of grave import TO Turkey,
possibly resulting in a limitation OF its powers
In Europe
The embodiment OF the other Balkan States
IN the war started by Montenegro, however, is
only one of the many possibilities for which
] shea sa,a has Aeen cleared. OF more. world
vide importance is the danger that some OF
the great powers of Europe may become in
volved among themselves as result The
European powers have lived for years in the
fear that some day the smouldering spark in
the balkans might be lighted with general
confederation resulting. That spark Is grow
ing larger and larger until it threatens to
start fire that will be extinguished only in
the blood of thousands.
The powers of Europe are keenly apprehen-
sve of the result and clearly perceive the dan
ger That IT will be avoided is the hope OF
Europe and OF all the world, and steps 10 that
and are being taken. Diplomatic intervention
was tried to prevent the beginning of the war
between Turkey and any of the Balkan States.
but the rashness of one insignificant kingdom
of the size of Louisiana and the population of
New Orleans has endangered the success or
the negotiations. Diplomacy being on the verge
~ failure several of the powers are consider
ing the question of Intervention. In this too
disagreement among the larger powers that
would result In an even more disastrous war
than that whose prevention is the object OF
the intervention. There seems 10 be no other
way of stopping the trouble. however and If
Great Britain. Germany and Austria Will but
act together in the spirit OF peace and with
the realization Of the horrors of a European
war Montenegro can be judicially and adfls-
eddy, but emphaticaly, made 10 understand
that il must stop its foolishness. Notification
IN King Nicholas that unless he withdraw at
once his army from Turkish territory and take
INN ediate steps to demobiize il he will be
yanked from his throne, and simultaneous
notice given Turkey that the three great pow
ds will have peace or Turkey will have no
territory in Europe, should be sufficient.
With these nations rests the responsibility.
II in the interest of peace and 10 avoid whole
sale bloodshed they will but get together for
while. forgetting national distrust and animos-
i,y and fear; II they viii forego for time all
hope OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT and all jealousy OF
each and work with one mind TO end the Balkan
trouble they can re-establish peace, give the
Balkan States freedom from Turkish IMPOSE
ton and guarantee 10 the Christians of Alba
MIA and Macedonia surrease from persecution