The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-10-02
Entire Balkan Peninsula Is in
Readiness for War.
More Than a Million Men Are
Ordered Out.
IF THIS HINT IS NOT TAKEN
Open HOstiIities Against Tur-
key May Come Quickly.
The Powers Are Active in Try
ing to Preserve Peace.

London, Oct 2.-The whole of the
Balkan peninsula is being rapidly
transformed into an armed camp. Ac-
cording to dispatches from the capitals
OF the various states, upwards of a mill
! lion men have been ordered to gather 70
decide once for all, in a trial by combat,
the question of changing the conditions
OF the inhabitants of the European
provinces of Turkey.
The effect of a demonstration OF the
military forces of the Balkan states Is
first to be tried. For this purpose Bull
garia, Servia, Greece and Montenegro
bhave ordered the mobilization of their
entire available armies and If this open
threat does not secure what they de-
the next few hours may see further
steps taken.
The four states of the new Balkan
alliance are rapidly organizing to act
together in arms for the first time
against the common enemy-TurlSey-
The Ottoman authorities are no less
busy, while it is seen from dispatches
from Vienna that Austria will find It
impossible much longer to refrain from
taking military precautions in order to
keep the Servians from encroaching on
territory which Austria-Hungary in
sists must remain part of Turkey and
not become an adjunct of greater
Servia.
The slightest untoward incident viii
start a general conhagration, according
to the prevailing opinion in diplomatic
circles here and the great powers might
easily be drawn into this. From some
OF the European capitals reports have
reached here that men have already
crossed the frontier and begun fighting
but these entirely lack confirmation. It
is likely that the reports are based on
some of those clashes between frontier
guards which have been a daily oc-
currence in recent months.
Powers Are Busy.
The only bright prospect in the sit
uatlon is that the Balkan states seem
inclined to give the great powers a
little more time in which to try to
induce Turkey to Introduce the re-
forms deHna anced in Macedonia. II is
reported today that they intend to
send a collective note to Turkey ex-
planning the reasons for their action
in mobilizing their armies.
As they necessarily must await a
reply to this note the Ambassadors or
the great powers in Constantine ople
viii be able to impress the porte with
the advisability of granting their de-
mands.
j The Porte must, in the meantime
however deal with two notes, both OF
which are practically ultimatums. One
of these is from Servia and demands
the release of Servian ammunition
which has been detained in transit
through Turkey while the other IS
from Greece and protests aginst the
detention of Greek shipping which
Turkey has decided to hold up ana
utilize for the transport of her troops.
The time for the reply to the Ser
Wan note does not expire until to-
night so that even in this connection
the ambassadors of the great powers
have a full day before them in WEicE
to press upon the porte the advice OF
their respective foreign offices.
For the present, however, prepara-
tions are proceeding on all sides Cor
war.
Turkey Prepares to Fight.
For the present. however. prepara-
tions are proceeding on all sides for
war, according to a private telegram.
received in London this morning. The
mobilization of the Turkish armies in
Rumelia, which includes all the
troops in Macedonia besides those in
Anatolia or Asia Minor. has already
been begun so that the Balkan king
Turkey is looking also to Rumania to
throw in her lot with the Ottoman
troops, in which case Bulgaria would
find herself sandwiched between two
formidable foes, and might be crushed
1t is also conceivable that Albanians
forgetting their grievances against the
Ottoman empire might assist the
troops against which they have been
so recently fighting
With their army in a high state OF
efficiency and with the assistance OF
the Rumanians and the Albanians.
prominent Turks believe they could
defeat all their opponents, or hold
them off until they are worn out
The smaller states, how
ever, have long been preparing for the
present moment and have. 1t is said,
plans by means of which they are con-
hdent they could more than hold their
own. They certainly staked their ali
on the venture for. ii is pointed out,
even the mobilization Of their armies
is a very heavy drain on countries
with such small resources. As for
Greece, the detention of her shipping
by Turkey means. it is argued. almost
bankruptcy.
The stock exchange here again
marked down all speculative stocks at
the opening today from fear Of fur
ther unfavorable news. but the alb
sence of an actual outbreak of hostfli-
ties soon created a better feeling.
Prices thereupon hardened and a gen.
eral advance occurred on buying or
ders from Paris. Canadian Pacifics
opened SO below parity but regained
two of these. other American stocks
recovered half Of their early loss.
while consols which have been re-
marks bly, steady throughout hardened
to the extent of 3-16.