Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-03
SHIFTS In THE BALKAN SITUATION

At Koumanovo. Prc,ih Monastir and
Sir Edward Grey declared in the house
or commons that Bulgaria had appealed
to Russia TO cause the cessation OF hos
tilities. Greece and Sorvia had demanded
that Bulgaria should accept certain con-
ditions before establishing AL 0rmistce.
Sir Edward resumed the attitude OF the
powers since the opening OF tho wnr last
year. which was to remain In contact
with one another and aid by every means
the establishment OF peace. to abstain
from violent Intervention, and to ask for
nothing for themselves. II this policy
was abandoned the accord OF the powers
would be broken.
An indication appears that Austria 10
beginning to understand-perhaps the un-
derstanding is due to a
Austria note of warning from Ber-
W., lin-that the time has come
"o1Aeu. to link hands with Russia.
The official Austro- Hungarian press de-
elares that past policies should be
changed. 1t recognizes that the Balkans
have escaped from Europe's tutelage and
will not belong ever to Russia or to
Austria, and it is useless to dispute the
that q conference or a congress will not
be possible or useful except that Russia
and Austria-H Hungary are first In accord
on policy of interests. But Russia
does not desire either a conference or a
congress. nor least of all Servia, Monte
negro. Greece or Roumania.
Servia and Greece two months ago.
when II was no longer possible to misin-
terpret the designs of Bulgaria, formed
an alliance Of common defense against
Bulgaria. Roumania has entered into
that alliance with the object already an
nounced OF assuring a strategic frontier
against Bulgaria and of close communi-
cations with Servia and Greece
The problem of the Balkans has been
completely changed by Bulgaria's defec-
ton. Bulgaria's place in the alliance has
been taken by Roumania, whose ambi-
tons may not conflict with those OF
Servia and Greece. Before the war
against Turkey the powers believed that
their role would consist in protecting the
Balkanic kingdoms against victorious
Turkey. In the course of two peace con-
ferences at London IL was on the con-
trary constant care of the powers to
man empire in Europe. But Austria and
Italy succeeded in causing the creation
of an Albania which is destined, per-
haps, to prove plague upon both their
houses.
Heretofore the Balkanic states have
been treated as little states, and uncon-
scious OF their strength have accepted
the role. The times have changed
=
Henceforth the Balkanic states have
taken in their own hands the direction of
destinies. and il is
Balkans to not by diplomacy. but
by arms. that they
he
of the partition OF conquered territory.
At the same time these states will adj
nit the Balkan equilibrium.
Austria accepts the change in the situa-
ton with manifest difficulty. Nevertheless
the Balkanic kingdoms will continue
their way despite all opposition. and ac-
complish their destinies supported by
their strong armies, which have no fear
Of the collective interference of the
powers. IL such interference was posi-
BILE.
We have before us the account of
correspondent from Hadji-Beyiik of an
interview with M. Venizelos. THE pre-
liminaries of peace" said the premier OF
Greece, will be signed on the field OF
battle; the questions OF war indemnity.
guarantees for Greeks in Thrace, etc.
will be arranged on the field Of battle.
Any other proceeding would be folly with
such an adversary as the Bulgarians."
The Times publishes a very interesting
letter from NJ. Valentine-Chirol OH the
Balkanic conflict NJ. Chirol explains
what is generally conceded In political
circles. but which appears somewhat
obscure to the general public The trou-
bles began the day that Austria placed
her veto on the expansion of Servia to the
Adriatic. and then In accord with Italy
demanded the creation OF an autonomous
Albania.
According to NJ. Chirol, the powers, in
order to avoid a rupture Of their proper
concert, agreed to exercise on the Bal
kanic states a pressure they dared not
exercise the one over the other After
the speech of Mr.. AsQuith, at Gufldhall.
where he expressed the hope that the
states would not be deprived of
that Sir Edward Grey did not
without repuguance to depart
from the principle of the non-intervention
of Europe. He consented, certainly and
the greater number OF English people will
think he was right to do SO in order to
European peace, but ii cannot
be denied that the action Of the powers
created new situation destined to trou-
BILE the conditions which the Balkanic
states had in view in their negotiations
anterior to the war.
= ~
There is no doubt but that M. Chirol II
right. For example, Bulgaria would have
carried the BAN
What Bulgaria ners of the Bal
M, kan alliance to
"ou AA"se OoAe. G o nstantinople
but for the unfortunate opposition of the
powers. Bulgaria, in Constantinople,
would have had no aspirations beyond
Adrianople and the Dardanelles.
The Wiesbadener Zeitung publishes a
interview with "a German
prince. cousin Of the Crown Prince OF
and brother of the reigning
prince" The unnamed prince expressed
himself thus over the Balkan situation:
THE faults committed by Austrian d.
have caused injury to the triple
alliance, for the Balkans hatred will
urn not only against Austria but her
lilies.
This war is only the start Of Interior
because the oppression of
toumanians and south Slavs in Hungary
,royokes alike the evaporation of Rou-
mania and Russia. Austrian statesmen
ave created the south Slav question In
preventing the arrangement OF the ques-
ion OF nationalities In the Balkans and
n annexing Bosnia; also Austria created
he question of Albania"
What is the real situation i'm the Bal
ANS! Correspondents and the represent