The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-10-02
WAR INEVITABLE
IN THE BALKANS
POWERS ALONE CAN AVERT CLASH
THAT WILL Result IN GEN
ERAL CONFLICT.
SULTAN GETS READY
sERNIA EMBARhs SOLDIERS AND
BUSHES Tnx.oP TRAINS TO
OTTOMAN BORDER ALL
THROUGH NIGHT.
SULTAN GETS READY

LONDON. Oct. AT midnight to-
night -xaF- is ine,itab Bile ia ms.
/ unless the powers, by cajoleries. If
possible. by threats. and by real arm
ed action. as "a last resort, succeed
. in staving off the general conflict.
Montenegro today joined the Anti
Turkish Balkan league. and tonight
ordered the mobilization Of her entire
army The sultan replied to the arm
al threat az The -tptaE- Balkan states.
by mobilizing The Turkish army, and
/ detailing ali tireek vessels now in
Turkish waters to-be used as trans
ports.
Servia began embaraing troops
early this afternoon. and has been
rushing troop trains to the Turkish
frontier all night. Russia has issued
orders for the immediate preparation
for Il big hospital service to take the
field and Austria threatens To call out
her army.
The army mobilization which is but
prelude to real conflict. proves be-
yond doubt that the Balkan league
consisting of Bulgaria, Servia, Greece,
and Montenegro. is acting in concert:
that at last these nations have put
aside all blood feuds among them
selves to attack Turkey their ancient
and common foe. Their chief argu-
ment is that the cross instead of the
crescent must rule in Macedonia.
Meanwhile thep orte has ordered a
general mobilization. but will also
address a note of protest to the pow
ers. reminding them of the recent
Turkish decision to grant Macedonia
the reforms she has demanded. That
the situation Is desperate is the unan-
imous opinion of the London press,
although ali newspapers express the
hope that the triple entente and the
triple alliance may yet he able To keep
the peace The Times which Is al
ways most conservative. says:
Crisis More Acute.
ut is clear that the crisis has
become more and not less acute since
yesterday. and peace already is at
the mercy of any untoward accident. .
The Daily Telegraph says: ''If war
ty 70 re uvrrtcti, mediation must s,..
made at once. for the next step Is
likely to be an ultlmatum and then
blow. 1t is in the last degree inn
probable that Turkey will accept the
demands already made On her OF any
ultimatum Bulgaria or Servia may
send Those countries have taken
the bit in their teeth, and nothing
less than peremptory measures taken
by the whole of the great powers in
concert VIII stop them. Are the pow =
ers in position to utter such a
threat? Is the concert say, between
Austria and Russia, in such matters
capable Of standing So sharp IA test :?
Every one knows tina: the chief
reason of the powers for keeping the
peace is because some have long cher
ished territorial ambitions OF their
own in that direction. Hence the
Dispute, in all capitals and the gen.
eral pessimism"
Gazette Is TeSsimistic.
The most pessimistic note sounded
with reference to the inability Of the
powers 30 cope with the situation is
by the. Westminster Gazette, which
says. va
The Bulgarian army on a war
footing Is four hundred thousand
strong, and for it's size Is reputed to
be the best In ,Emrape. The idea Of
coercing II to keep the peace is not
to be thought OF lightly. We do not
imagine that either Russia or Aus
ltria will put their hands to that bus
mess
The chief interest in the entire sit
nation centerf on the Bulgarian army
and King Ferdinand. The grandson
Of Louis Philippe. Frances citizen
king. who " twenty-fiev years has
Continued on Second paHe)