New-York tribune., 1912-12-19
Action of Turkey, Though Not
Known. Believed To Be Favor
able-SpeeCh by Russian Pre-
mier Regarded Peaceful.
ALSO CONTAINS WARNING
Considered To Be Plain Intima-
tion of Backing Balkan States
-Servia Doing Utmost
Not to Provoke
Austria.

1ondon. Dec lS.-The nature OF the
decision which the Turkish government
rived at to-day is not known, but is
,ouoved 10 be such as to enable the
.ooce conference TO resume its delib-
erations
Considering that under the terms of
,be arn.istice Turkey is debarred from
,evictuaning her besieged fortresses,
s,o has little TO gain by undue delay.
The growing strength of the military
rarty in Constantinople may, however,
have an unexpected influence on the
Development Of the situation.
The Russian Premier's speech IN the
Douma. which was awaited with much
interest. is regarded as a peaceful fac
TOR but al the same time 1t is a plain
intimation to the world that Russia
stands firmly behind the Balkan States
in support of their securing all the
legitimate fruits Of their victory, and
therefore may be regarded somewhat
IN lnS lsHS VI d NdI I4hS W auStiIo'
The Servian government meanwhile
is doing its utmost TO avoid needlessly
provoking Austria. Premier Pachitch,
according TO a Belgrade dispatch, has
written 10 the editors of the leading
newspapers, urging them in the inter-
ests Of peace to refrain from publishing
20 hfrS vi
Belgrade papers have been seized for
attacking Austria.
In accordance with the request OF the
delegates to the peace conference, Sir
Edward Grey has appointed Herman
Cameron Norman, first secretary Of the
British diplomatic service. 10 take
charge Of the secretariat of the confer
ence.
Secrecy Only Apparent.
The ambassadors of the powers at
their meeting this afternoon confirmed
their decision TO maintain impenetrable
secrecy concerning their discussions,
but one Of the delegates observed that
the secrecy was only apparent, as on
the most important questions the am
bassadors would be compelled TO con-
suit with the peace delegates in order
10 ascertain their intentions and ;he
feelings Of their countries.
Besides, the same delegate added, II
would be useless 10 maintain secrecy
IN secondary matters. when what is
really Of capital importance is openly
and solemny proclaimed to the world.
He instanced the speech of NJ. KokOv-
soft, the Russian Premier, who to-day
spoke before the Duma, but, the dele
gate pointed out, in reality addressed
his statement 10 the whole of Europe
in the name of "the great Slavonic ana
Orthodox power"
" Kokovsoff's speech, notwithstand-
ing the usual declaration of the wish,
above all, TO preserve peace, empha-
sized the Importance of the unanimity
OF the Balkan peoples, and. represent
ing the Emperor. who is the supreme
political patron and venerated spiritual
head of the Orthodox world, praised
the civic and military virtues Of the
allies, promising them support from the
mother Russia, who so far 'is glad
she has not to change the calm attitude
adopted at the outset"
This in plain language means that
the calm attitude" might have been
changed in the past. and may change
in the future. if the rights Of the
Balkan peoples do not receive due
recognition.
However, il is asserted that the Aus
tran and German ambassadors at the
meeting to-day. were most cordial. al
though reserved. When the question
Of the Dardanelles was raised. 1t is re-