Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-08
Prospects for Setting Balkan
War Are Bright.
BIG TASK FOR DIPLOMATS
Ambassadorial Conference Will Be
Important Gathering.
LITTLE FOOD AT ADRIANoPLE
Provisions for Only Fifteen Days.
Greek Troops in Epirus Occupy
Three Towns.

LONDON. December THE prospects
for a satisfactory and reasonably rapid
settlement OF the Balkan war and of the
greater European interests hanging upon
1t seem brighter tonight than at any
time since the allied armies took the field
against Turkey.
The ENJOYS from the Balkan Kingdoms
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 the ambassa-
doris Of the great powers at London
charged with the task of protecting the
interests Of their countries. will meet
advise and admonish the peace delegates.
To reach even this complicated arrange
ment has strained all the resources OF
European diplomacy. There have been
times in the last month when even the
consent of all the governments to a
friendly gathering appeared beyond the
range OF possibility. Austria consented
yesterday to join the ambassadorial con-
ference. and Germany. which stood aside
awaiting the decision Of It's ally, an
nounced its acquiescene today.
An Important Assembly.
This will be by far the most important
assembly Of diplomats since the Berlin
conference after the Russo-Turkish war
Giants like Bismarck. Beaconsfeld. Sails
bury and Gortchakoff. to be sure. will
not tread the stage. but their successors
who do will have an equally important
work to perform.
One question charged with the posi-
bilitieS Of disaster is Servia's unQuench-
able determination for an Adriatic port
and Austria's determination that she
shall not have It, Servian official
newspapers make it plain. however. that
the little kingdom has made up its mind
to take instructions from the powers. so
far as public opinion in Servia will let
A second interesting struggle will take
place over Turkeys endeavors to hold
as much Of the conquered territory as
oriental diplomacy and the help of
friendly powers can save for her The
best margin the sultan can make proba-
bly, will reduce his subjects in Europe
from more than 6.OOOOO0 to less than
1000, 900. and the Turk seems reconcied
to this.
A third important factor will be the
Greek attempt to gain Saloniki.
Some Difficult Questions.
Besides. various difficult questions will
arise over the commercial status of the
various states. the disposition of the
Turkish debts attached to the conquered
country and the final status Of Adrian
ople.
That the peace negotiations proper will
be less complicated than had been feared
Is promised by the two facts that Turkey
and Bulgaria appear to have reached an
understanding already and that the dis
sension among the allies portended by
the failure of Greece to sign the armiS-
tice Is mostly myth. a prearranged plan
having been agreed to by the allies that
Greece should stand out SO that her navy
could continue the blockade and acquire
the islands, which are Greeces natural
share Of the spoils.
London was selected for the confer
ence because England is nearer neutral
than any other great power. both Tur-
key and the Balkan states considering
her friend: because the powers have
the ablest ambassadors in London, and
because Sir Edward Grey, the British
foreign secretary, who will naturally hold
a commanding position, has 4 unique
reputation for honesty among European
diplomats.
Provisions Running Short.
SOFIA, December 7.-According to re-
liable reports. Adrianople has provisions
enough to last only fifteen days.
DR.. Daneff. president Of the chamber Of
deputies, has returned from the negotia-
lions at Bagthche. He expressed the
opinion today that peace would be ar
ranged successfully with little difficulty.
The Turkish delegates at the armistice
kfst; 0vnex t0 h<
c1liatory. he said, and the fact that Tur-
key was willing to leave the besieged
fortresses without revictualling. was con-
sidered as proof of the sincerity Of her
declarations that she did not wish to
waste time.