The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-05
THE DENOMINATION" AGAINST
MONTENEGRO,

belief OF the Vienna newspapers that
some OF the powers are not honestly
supporting the program for the
coercion of Montenegro. and their sus-
piclons that Russia, especially. is not
acting in good faith. 1t would be
still less surprising if in the end their
belief and suspicious were sustained.
There is good ground for both. in the
circumstances. the powers had to make
another on the issue OF creating Al
bania into an autonomous state, ana
demanding that the siege of Scutari
he raised and the MontcneErins
abandon ali claim to Il. TO Austro
Hungarian policy of albania for the
Albanians"-save the nark!-thcy are
automatically committed.
But under such conditions as now
prevail, and in view OF the undercur-
rent OF conflicting interests and jcal
ousies, there is room for many a slip
between the cup of diplomatic com
mitment and the lip of physical vim
dication thereof. There are many sis
niicant signs of half-hcartedncss and
blum ana tentative assumption OF re-
sponslbility in the projected naval
demonstration
Gcrmany's Foreign Minister. in OK
planning his governments attitude in
Balkan affairs, has frankly admitted
that Germany gave adherence to the
program, virtually, solely at Austria
Ilungary's request That Germany is
not an enthusiastic participant can be
readily understood in the light of the
fact that In the event OF Austria Hun
gary's going to war TO enforce her
Albanian policy. and n not impossible
uprising Of Slavs In the dual mon
archy, there might develop a situation
"a conflict might be prccipitated-in
which Germany would have to face
tifses' ways.
Russia has srudgingly given an
eleventh hour assent TO the program,
but upon the plea that she has no
ships She can conveniently send to the
scene, has deputed France 10 act for
her--a commission the latter has sc-
cepted with Il string to IT. Italy. by
reason OF the same alliance obliga-
ton that prompted Germany. has con-
scented 10 cooperate, but her co-opera-
ton is In the face of potent uynastic
matrimonial ties and widespread pub
lie opposition while Great Britain.
having favored the proposed Albanian
status, as calculated 10 make for
nj
unite with the other "mcdiators"
But the combination Is loose
jointed and Indefinite one at best.
The program represents the proverblal
chain that is no stronger than its
weakest link. Should one link snap.
what then? The answer would seem
that the whole European adjustment
would DC dislocatcd Meanwhile, how
ever. given for the sake OF argument
that the powers arc sincere. it may
well he that it Is still a far cry to
the demonstration being rendered ef-
fectnal \ naval demonstration against
Montenegro is pretty much on all fours
with naval demonstration against
Switzerland. If the fierce and hardy
and heretofore uncomfortable Monte
neSrns fail TO yield. If they prove in
sensible TO tho moral effect OF "the
blockade" what then?
Austria Hungarys only recourse
would he TO throw an army into AL
bania, back or which and around which
would be millions OF Slavic sympa-
thzers with the Observation-Disclosures
ph,hizers not confined to the other
allies. but scattered and In some places
consested in her own possessions In
view of tho Pan Slavic revival among
the Russian masses how long would
Russia, the particular erstwhile patron
OF Montenegro, ignore that opportunity?
How long would italy be able 10 re
slst the pressure OF popular leaning
to the cause of Montenegro. and re-
puSnance TO her remaining in tho triple
alliance?
Tho more carefully the situation is
analy2cd the clearer It would appear
that Scutari. instead Of booming. tho
Montenegrins 10 coercion. 10 tho as
surancc of settling the albanian issue
in the interests OF the peace Of Europe. |
may but light the spark CT a Balkan
conflagration Involvement in which
none Of the powers would be able to
escape. The demonstration may prove
more pregnant with danger to the
great peace preserver than 10 the lin
significant little peace ds,urber.
whose rights the powers would wrcst
from her In gross Injustice, in the in
tesration. and in order to placato an
utterly selfish bully. Already Servia. !
in loyalty to her ally. has accumulated
this asnect Of the coercive movement,
by making common cause with Mon
tenegro in dcfying Austria Hungary 10
do her worst In truth. Servia has, !
moreover, challenged the powers to
uncover their real hand has forced