The Winslow mail., 1912-07-27

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HSy<HGM inces Of Bosnia and Herze
S& govina, which she had been
SE%N permitted temporarily to oc
cupy under the terms of the
Berlin treaty. 1t will be remembered
that, following upon Turkeys success
full rebellion against Abdul Hamid and
his deposition, Count Won Aerenthal,
the Austrian foreign secretary, effect
ed this coup d'etat in the face of Ser
Wan and Russian remonstrances, and
nearly provoked a European war.
For several weeks the situation was
critical. England and France promised
Russia material support should she
draw the sword against the Austrian,
Then Germany stepped to Austria'g
side and flung down her gauntlet in
the face of Europe. And Russia yield
ed, threw over the western powers
with their proffered assistance and rat
fled Austria in her high-handed action.
Nothing had created SO great sensa-
ton in a couple of decades. Why,
with France and England backing her,
did Russia play the craven? l think
[ can for the first time supply the an
swer to the mystery.
was living In my chambers in Half
Moon street, Piccadilly, awaiting q
summons from the government, when
one morning, so early that the shops
had scarcely taken down their shut
ters, q messenger came dashing up my
stairs demanding my immediate pres
ence at Buckingham palace, where the
king was then in residence. hurried
thither in taxicab, and was ushered
into the royal library. There found
King Edward and Sir Edward Grey,
the foreign secretary, together. Sir
Edward Grey was dishevelled and his
features had the haggard aspect one
has been up all night. The king, al
though immaculate as he always is,
seemed almost as distressed. When
entered, his majesty came cordially
toward me.
Captain Adams" he began, 'this is
q problem which even you will hardly
solve, fear. Nevertheless, If you can
suggest any possible solution, l shall
be indebted vastly to you. Now
these are the facts:
'As you are of course aware. Eng
land and France have offered Russia
armed support in the event of her ta-
king up arms against the German and
Austrian pretensiong and championing
Servia, who claimed the reversion
Of the two provinces which Austria
has occupied. For several weeks the
affair has hung fire. But Austria has
brought it to an issue. An ultimatum
has been sent to Servia, demanding
that she withdraw all claim to the two
provinces within seventy-two hours.
Servia has been telegraphing frantical-
ly to st. Petersburg, asking whether
Russia will support her in her defiance
Of the Austrians. The ultimatum ex.
pires on Tuesday evening at six
o'clock. That day at noon the czar
meets his counsellors to debate his an
swer. The answer means peace or
war for Europe.
eve consider 1t Of the utmost conse-
quence that Nicholas defy the Ger
mans and announce to Servia his un-
qualified support of her demands. It
will mean war; but war is better than
acQuiescence in contemplate act of
spoliation. Will the czar declare for
war and accept our aid? AS you
know, Captain Adams, his mind Is al
most that of q sfmpleton-I only say
what you are doubtless we'll aware Of.
He falls, during such times as these,
into a state Of profound melancholia,
In which, unable to speak, barely to
recognize those around him, he obeys
automatically the command of his ad-
visers.
Who are his advisers? Philippe,
the magician and medium who pre-
tends to summon up the spirit of his
father, Alexander Ill. really a plant
tool in the hands of the grand dukes,
Michael, Alexis and the rest-all Ger
manophile. General Kaulbars leads the
pro-German party; General Linievitch
is almost the sole advocate of our
claims Nevertheless, at present Iinie4
Witch Is In the ascendency. It is be-
lieved the czar will urge Servia to defy
Germany.
"Now~we come to the point. To pre-
vent Nicholas from assisting Servia,
Philippe and Kaulbars and the grand
dukes have entered into q conspiracy.
Unless he telegraphs an Affirmative re-
sponse to Servia's plea on Tuesday
morning she will surrender tc Austria
and all will be lost. To prevent this
response from being given, the czar
is to be put out of the way for twenty
four hours. On Monday afternoon,
when he goes for his accustomed drive
in his steel coach, which was built to
protect him against assassination, the
doors will be bolted and the horses
urged at furious pace into the depths
of the forest, where Nicholas will be
marooned, left lost and stranded, to
find his way back too late for action,
apparently the victim of circum-