The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-22
Marked Improvement in Situation

 statement issued tonight says:
 "The improvement in the interna- tonal situation has become more marked and there is now complete agreement among the powers in favor of moderation.
 Austria, which heretofore has main tained an attitude of reserve, having CT powers and urge prudence and mod eration on Turkey the cause of peace has made great strides in the last AS hours"
 Premier Poncare. speaking in the senate today, said: When peace is signed it will rest on solid basis, permitting the Balkan states to develop themselves. Turkey will retain considerable empire and she will act wisely in listening to the wishes of the populations still subject to her.
 For our part. We insist that our interests in Lebanon and Syria gener- ally shall be respected There is no foundation in the insinuation that any discord has arisen between France and Great Britain concerning these. On the contrary, the latter has assured us that she has no political aspirations in these regions
 We are resolved to maintain the in- tegrity of the Ottoman empire in Asia, put. MllHOut diioNiiS ouI inltltStS tO suffer.
 If peace, unfortunately, is not con- cluded we will begin again our efforts at conciliation in an attempt to re- strict the spread of the conflagration, while ready to defend our influence in the east and the prestige of the French name"
 POincaire Optimistic Premier Poincare was very optimistic about the European situation. In his speech he said the ambassadors of the great powers could outside The Hague guarantee a commercial outlet on the Adriatic sea to the contendors. He also gave hope that peace would be signed. He said if this came true the negotia- tions between the delegates to the peace pact should be continued rather than broken off permanently and Europe would henceforth resort to arbitration. Premier Poincare explained that Ser va's port on the Adriatic will be free and neutral. It is to be connected with Servia.. by an international railroad, under the control of European powers and Ser | via is to have liberty to transport iner chandise. including munitions of war. She will pay no customs duties. He con 1 tinued: ''The European powers wish to assure to Servia certain Indispensable guarantees. that she may live and | breathe
 NJ. Poncare expressed satisfaction with the agreement over the Adriatic outlet | for Servia. which. he said Eliminates one of the principal causes of European discord."
 Later in his speech the premier de- clared:
 We can now believe that the con- | terence of ambassadors of the European | powers will be useful to the cause of | European peace"
 He then reviewed at length the negotia- tions between the powers concerning the Balkan war emphasizing the intimate working relations between England, Rus | sia and France.
 There was, he said. no grounds for the fears of some Frenchmen that England at times pursued an isolated policy that did not conform with the policy of France England acted openly and loy ally" he, said, and he assured the hope that France would continue to use her every energy in favor of peace. but was determined nevertheless to safeguard un- | firchingly her rights and interests, to maintain French traditions in the Orient, l and above all to keep watch over that II sacred and intangible thing known as the i national honor
 l The premier was greeted. at the con | cllsion of his speech. with applause from all parts of the house. l Jean Juares, the socialist leader eulo- sized the premier for his efforts in favor | of peace.