The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-05

terms by Monday hostilities win be re-
sumed, and reputed declaration Of the
Turkish delegates that Turkey mas
reached the limit OF her concessions.
none the less. distinct and most en-
couraging progress for peace has been
made at London When the various
and momentous questions involved as
affecting not only the two parties 10
the Balkan War. but the great powers
as we'll are considered, the wonder is
that so much progress has been
achieved.
The surprise IS that the parties prin-
cipal have played. respectively. the
game so rapidly towards finish
Equally surprising Is it that the pow
ers the advisory referees in a sense
have so quickly come TO an understand
ing making against their o~n in
volvement in an international war.
that they have reached so easily and
expeditiouslv virtual agreement in the
matter OF character Of pressure brought
ON the belligerents.
II was TO have been expected that
negotiations between the Porte and
the concert would be long drawn out
especially in view Of Turkeys tradi-
tional policy Of hghting for delay and
selling. in her hour of~extremity. upon
every possible opportunity 10 pit the
iealousies and selfish interests Of the
powers against one another But in
the circumstances events have moved
with remarkable. indeed, untoward
swiftness.
From declaring at the opening OF the
conference. practically. that she would
yield nothing. Turkey has in substance
agreed TO yield everything the allies
demanded. except Adrianople, which
she would cling to for sentimental and
religious reasons, and Crete and the
Aegean Islands Further. even as TO the
TWO last-named possessions. she is
seeking TO open the way 10 surrender
them by a roundabout process that viii
save her dignity.
Meanwhile the chief. the only serious
menace to international peace-the is
sue between Austria-Hungary and
10 all intents and purposes
been dissipated. BY elimination, ex-
elusive of Adrianople. all the questions
in their larger sense have in eff
feet been settled The rest is matter
Of detail.
Moreover, it IS hardly to be doubt
ed that Turkey. in the face Of the evil
dence OF recognition by the powers
that the status quo is utterly 4 thing
Of the past-is wrecked-will, when
finally pressed 10 the wall yield
Adrianople also: that is. provided that
stronghold shall not have fallen by
starvation into Bulgaria's hands ere
the conclusion OF the conference.
Not 10 do so would be to court, as re-
CARDS humiliation. piling Pelion upon
Ossa.
We repeat that under the conditions
distinct and most encouraging progress
towards peace has been made. When
the kernel Of the situation, as it has
been threshed out from the hull or
speculation. alarm and tentative and
"feeler" propositions and counter
is exposed. one is not over I
optimistic tn assuming that peace is
already near in sight
And 10 the world at large. to civlli- !
zation. to humanity. TO Christendom.
not the least comforting reflection. nay .
assurance is that it will be a peace
with it the beginning of the
end Of the Ottoman Empire in Europe. .
Whatever. II any. of European terri .
tory may be left to the Turk. his sway
over that even VIII be brief and mere
" nominal shadow and mockery
OF his former power and dominion
It viii be a peace that VIII be sig !
nal for the fnal ringing down Of the
curtain upon the last act Of q siN-cen-' I
fury drama Of almost continuous OPP
preston. misrule, rapine. slaughter.
intolerance and corruption. It VIII
mark the last breathing spell in the
inevitable and preordained march Of
the Turk back TO Asia. never to return.
the ebb Of the Islamic wave from the
last inch Of soil on this side of the
Bosphorus and the Dardanelles. such
is the grim satire Of ~Kismet" for
him.