The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-10-02
BALKAN WAR THREATENS.

The news that the Balkan states are
mobilizing their armies with view to
throwing off the Turkish yoke alto
gethcr, and also of driving tho Turk
out Of Europe, may be interpreted IN
two WAYS, 1t is certain that nothing
will be done unless by the consent OF
the GREAT powers. The interest Of these
great powers, therefore, is what Is TO
be sought for in the analysis Of the
situation.
First, then, it is possible that the
movement may be genuine and may
mean what the surface indicates. 1t
may be that the powers have come TO
the conclusion that the Turk has been
in Europe long enough and must be
driven out But this would necessarily
imply that there has been an agree
ment among the powers as to the di'
vision Of "the spoils. Heretofore the
great powers have found it impossible
to agree upon any division OF
Turkish territory. Bulgaria wants to
extend it's borders southwark; Greece
wants the islands of the Aegean, and
part at least of Macedonia; Austria
wants TO extend her dominion to the
port of Salonika, and the King of
Montenegro. backed by the support Of
his son-in-law, King Victor of Italy,
wants to form a working compact
with the northern Albanians. All of
the Christian peoples of the Balkan
states are extremely tired Of Turkish
misrue. harbarism, and oppression.
They want the Turks driven out OF
Europe. and 1t is within the possibilities
that the time is ripe for doing it.
At the same time, we should consider
it more probable that the great powers
are allowing this demonstration on the
part of the Balkan states for the pur-
pose of frightening Turkey into sub.
mission to the italian demands In
Tripoli, so that the war may end, The
great nations Of Europe recognize the
any time to turn into most serious
crisis and SET the old controversies
Of the "inear East once more ablaze.
IF the movement OF the Balkan states
means simply this, the powers will not
allow it to proceed beyond easy control
provided they are able to restrain the
ot.blooded, eager fighting men Of the
Christian nations in the Balkans.
If it is n diplomatic threat rather
| than substantial military move, it
must be confessed that the powers are
PLAYING with fire. Doubtless il this is
the secret OF the mobllizing of armies
in the Balkans, the powers have every
| possible assurance from the rulers Of
the Christian Balkan states that they
| will keep the movement within bounds
and subject to restraint at any time
| But as the matter presents itself to the
world, it is certainly a puzzle, and the
suddenness Of the news of the mobiliz
| ing of the armies of the Christian
states of the Balkans is suggestive in
! itself that the move is diplomatic
rather than military. The news from
that region will certainly be watched
with the keenest interest; for the move,
ment is liable at any day to get out
of bounds and TO be uncomfortable, even
| by the ruling houses of the nations in
volved, For the Christian armies are
liable at any time, once they are
mobilized, TO come into fighting contact
with the Turks and to open warfare
that cannot be expected to stop much
short of general European war.
The Balkan news is the most ominous
news of the time, and the fact that
there is a good deal Of mystery about
it does not in any way Lessen but rather
on the contrary, increases its i'm.
| portance.