The Sentinel=record., 1912-12-08
PROSPECTS FOR AN EARLY AND SATISFACTORY SETTLEMENT
 EASES ALL EUROPE.
SERVIA STILL WANTS SEAPORT
And Greeks Contend for Possession of Saloniki - All Other Points Seem to Have Been Tentative-
 ly Agreed Upon by Allies.

London, Dec. 7-Prospects for a satisfactory aad reasonably rapid settlement of the Balkan war and of the great European interests depend ing upon it seems brighter tonight than at any time since the allied ar mics took the field against Turkey.
 The envoys from the Balkan king doms Greece-if Greece decides to participate-and the Ottoman empire, will hold the first meeting of the peace conference next Friday. At the same time, ambassadors of the great powers at London, charged with Sle task of protecting the interests P their countries, will meet as sort W court of appeals, 70 watch, advise and admonish the peace delegates.
 To reach even this complicated ar rangement has strained all the re- sources of European diplomacy. There have been times in the last month whes1 even the consen. of all the governments to a friendly gather ing appeared beyond the range of pos sibiity. Austria consented yesterday
 
 land Germany, which stood aside awaiting the decision of it's ally, an nounced it's acquiescence today.
 This will be by far the most import. ant assembly of diplomats since tie Berlin conference after the Russo Turkish war. Giants like Bismarck Beaconsfield, Salisbury and Gortcha koff, to be snre, will not tread the stage, but tneir successors who do will have an equally important work to perform.
 One question, charged with the pos abilities of disaster, is Seryia's un- quenchable determination for an Ad. riatic port and Austrias determina- tion that she shall not nave it. Sery~ ian official newspapers make 1t plain, however, that the little kingdom has made up it's mind to take instructions from the powers SD far as public opinion in Servia will let it.
 A second Interesting struggle will take place over Turkeys endeavors to hold as much of the conquered ter ritory as Oriental diplomacy and the help of friendly powers can save for her. The best bagain the sultan can make probably will reduce his subjects in Europe from more than six mil lions to less than two millions, and the Turk seems reccnciled to this.
 A third important factor will be the Greek attempt to gain Saloniki. Be. sides, various difficult questions will arise over the commercial status of the various states, the disposition of the Turkish debts attached to the con. quered country and the finar status or Adrianople.
 That the peace negotiations proper will be less complicated than had been feared is promised by the two facts thas Turkey and Bulgaria appear to have reached an understanding al. ready and that the dissension among the allies portended by the failure of Greece to sign the armistice Is mostly myth, 8 prearranged plan having been agreed to by the allies that Greece should stand out so that her navy could continue the blockade and ac- quire the islands, which are Greece's natural share of the spells
 London was selected for the confer ence because England is nearer neu- tral taan any other great power, both Turkey and the Balkan states consid. ering her a friend; because the DOW CTS have the ablest ambassadors in Londca and because Sir Edward Grey. the British foreign secretary. who will naturally hold commanding position. has unique reputation for honesty among European diplomats.
 Singularly, few statesmen with world regulations will be seen.
 The Greek premier, M. venizelos, who sares with King Ferdinand of Bulgaria the honors of cementing the Balkan league, has started for London. The Egyptian prince, Ahmed Fouad. who is a candidate for the Albanian tarone, is coming to make a personal campaign in his own behalf. Teh premiers Of three of the Balkan king toms also are expected
 The king has provided St. James palace for the meetings of tae peace commission. The palace is quaint and contains rooms gorgeous with paiat- lngs, tapestry and armor, and has tle advantage of unusual quiet.