Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-22

kan confederation and Turkey. with the
ambassadors of France.
Peace ENJOYS Russia. Germany. Aus
A,.-h. tria-Hungary and Italy
as sort of side
show" If the expression may be used
without offense, assembled in London in
conference the 10th instant.
Sir Edward Grey. the British foreign
minister. welcomed the plenipotentiaries
and expressed TO them the kings sense
Of satisfaction at their presence and the
hope that the labors of the conference
would be crowned with success. Ii was
arranged that the presidency should be
taken alternatively by the delegates of
the Ave interested nations, and alpha
betically
The first question to block the proceed
inss was the objection of the Turks TO
admit the Greek delegates to the confer
ence. Greece had neither signed the
armistice nor ceased war operations. Adj
journment was taken until Thursday, the
10th, that the Turks might submit the
situation by telegraph TO the porte for
instructions.
1t should be remarked just here that
the Servian delegate. M Stojan Nova
kovitch, before adjournment suggested
that the appointment of a mediator by
the United States would be appropriate
doubtless for the reason that The Wash
ington Star has shown in its columns
since 1905 unusual familiarity with the
diverse and complex incidents that had
led up to the Balkan war; But in view
Of the distance that separated London
from Washington NJ. Novakovitch thought
the best man In Europe TO act as medi-
ator to the conference would be NJ
Poincare premier of France. who had
paid much. disinterested attention to the
Balkan troubles.
Doubtless NJ. Novakovitch made the
suggestion of mediator on the convac-
ton that even II the porte decided to
admit the Greeks to the conference the
Observation-Disclosures were confronted by
other issues still more serious.
The Turks have given out that they
will insist upon retaining Adrianople.
The allies. on the con-
Adrian6ple trary. exact the rendition
Of Adrianople. On the
al AsSue. 18th NJ. venizelos, premier
of Greece, said: THE allies demand the
surrender of Adrianople and Janina as
we'll as the rest of the territory conquer
ed On the 18th instant DIR. Danef. the
Bulgarian plenipotentiary. reiterated the
Greek minister's declaration. "If Turkey
does not promptly cede to the allies the
territory west of the line of Media Ma
rita. including Adrianople. retaining
only the Dardanelles. will telegraph I'M
mediate,y to our army to open fire on
Adrianople.
If the Turks back has been stiffened
since the meeting at Baghtche. where he
appeared humble and even disposed 70
get out of Europe and retire in very dis
gust to Scutari, in Asia. the cause must
be attributed to reasons not yet disclosed
When the powers manifestly behind the
Turk entered the game and suggested
mediation conference | wrote: The
peace of Turkey and of Europe above all
had perhaps been better guarded al
Raghtche between the victor and the
yanquished''
The questions submitted to the porte
by. the delegates to the conference al
London include. 1t is said. the implaca'
BILE demand of the allies for the rendition
of Adrianople IL this should prove true
it may precipitate the fall of Grand Niziel
Kiamil Pasha. and the establishment OF
military dictatorship under Nazin
Pasha and Mahmoud Pasha. Rumors IN
Constantinople state that new army OF
2J0. COO is to be created and the wal
against the Balkan allies is to be pushed
with vigor. Armies are not summoned
from the earth armed. equipped and PAID
and the question comes up VINO Is te
create this army? Whence the men and
for il the men and money should be
found 1t requires time. and the allies
will give their foes no time for prefara
ton, but will push for Constantinople
with their accustomed CELEBRITY.
NJ Danef is reported to have said on
the 14th instant: 1.-The possession OF
Adrianople. so far as the
Allies allies are concerned, is a
800 sine que non of any treaty.
AAoASS' Fresh reserves have been
called out and the troops in Macedonia
have been concentrated. Our position
from a military viewpoint, is excellent
it is such that we can speak definitely
Adrianople is doomed"
If the conference Is maintained we may
have perhaps an answer to our query.
why did the Balkan armies victorious
before Constantinople accept an armis-
tice?"
NJ Hanotaux, former minister of for
eign affairs in France, has undertaken to
solve the enigma. After citing some OF
the very same suggestions formulated in
The Star as the possible reasons the eX-
minister concludes that the Bulgarians
halted at Tchatalja because of a mys-
FERROUS order-an Injunction! Who from
From certain European powers? NJ
Hanotaux is vague and obscure on the
point and leaves the impression that he
knows far more than he is willing to
divulge and his observation is affected
for the occasion.
Diplomacy of the powers seized hold OF
the negotiations at Baghtche and made it
it's own. Now it assumes the form of a
European peace and not Balkan
peace. The cabinets of Europe thus
are preparing to correct and overturn
1.-The allies victorious at the gates of
taux ARE in the same situation as Rus
STA i'm 1878, when the latter was obliged
to submit the treaty of San Stefano 10
the verdict Of the powers.
The eX-minister enjoys reputation for
unusual political perspicacity and author
ity. but in the above COM
HanotauXS parison I think his error
of appreciation may be
INV challenged.
In 1878 the situation i'm Europe was
quite different from the situation of Eu-
rope today. Then Russia was without
allies, confronted by Germany and Aus
tria-Hungary, England and Italy. all in
deadly hostility to France. not yet re-
covered from the Prussian defeat of 1870
n. Now two great forces divide the
powers of Europe. one, the dreibund, COM
posed of Germany. Austria Hungary and
poSsihlv italy the ut her the triple en-