Holbrook argus., 1912-07-16

67 permitted temporarily to oc+
 cupy under the terms Of the Berlin treaty It will be remembered that, following upon Turkeys successI full rebellion against Abdul Hamid ana his deposition. Count von Aerentha1.. the Austrian foreign secretary, effects ed this coup d'etst in the face of Ser4 vian and Russian remonstrances, and nearly provoked 2 European war.
 For several weeks the situation waA4 critical. England and France promissa Russia material support should shsi draw the sword against the Austrian. {. Then Germany stepped to Austr%'s side and flung down her gauntlet%in. the face of Europe. And Russia yield ed, threw over the western powerG with their protfered assistance and rst.l fled Austria in her high-handed action. Nothing had created go great seneai ton in couple of decades. Why. with France and England backing her, did Russia play the craven? I think [ can for the first time supply the an- swer to the mystery.
 was living in my chambers in Half Moon street, Piccadilly, awaiting 8 summons from the government, when one morning, so early that the shops had scarcely taken down their shut ters, messenger came dashing up my stairs demanding my immediate pres ence at Buckingham palace, where the king was then in residence. l hurried thither in a taxicab, and was ushered Into the royal library. There I found King Edward and Sir Edward Grey. the foreign secretary, together. Sir Edward Grey was dishevelled and his features had the haggard aspect one looks for in a man of middle life who 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 8 problem which even you will hardly solve, fear. Nevertheless, if you can suggest any possible solution, 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 pretensions and championing Serv1a, who claimed the reversion of the two provinces which Austria has occupied. For several weeks the affair has hung fire. But Austria has brought 1t 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 frantieal- 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 councillors to debate his an- swer. The answer means peace or war for Europe.
 "we consider 1t of the utmost oonse. duence that Nicholas defy the Ger mans and announce to Servia bis un- qualified support of her demands. It will mean war; but war Is better than acuuiescence In contemptib1e act of spoliation. Will the czar declare for war and accept our aid? As you know. Captain Adams, his mind is sl- most that of simpleton-I only say what you gre doubtless well aware of. He falls, during such times as these. into 3 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 ID the spirit of his father, Alexander IT., really 8 pliant tool in the hands of the grand dukes. Michael, Alexis and the rest-all Ger manopbile. General Ksulbars leads the pro-German party; General Linievitch is almost the sole advocate of our claims. Nevertheless, at present Linie- witch Is in the ascendency. It is be- heved 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 conspiracy. Unless he telegraphs an affirmative re- sponse to Servia's plea on Tuesday morning she will surrender to 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 be goes for his accustomed drkve 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 theIdepths of the forest, where Nicholas. will he marooned, left lost and stranded. to find his way back too late for action. apparently the victim of circum- stances. Now, how can we prevent this? We cannot acquaint him wiTh lhe Pset;. his creatures stand too near the throne to allow our approach fin private.''