Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-11-20
THE BALKAN QUESTION

The war began in the Balkans and to-
day the eyes of the world are centered
on the Balkans. The most instructive
and interesting address in the series
on Europe and the War;" at the Con
gregational church has been reserved
until the last. The final address will
be given Sunday evening and will be il
lustrated with so stereoptican slides.
The European war cannot be under
stood until one knows something at
least of the eastern question. Bismark
declared in 1870 that the whole eastern
question was not worth the bones of q
Pomeranian grenadier, yet this very
question is in our day costing Germany,
Austria, Russia, France and Great Bri.
tain multitudes of brave soldiers. The
growth of invention, the increase of
population, the rapidity of modern me-
chanical production, the spread of com.
merce under the present economic sys-
tenn have almost compelled the nations
of the earth to seek new markets, new
spheres of influence. Where are the
nations to find thisl 1t will be found
that in one and only one section of the
world is there to be found any larger
opportunity for new possessions or new
spheres of influence, This opportunity
presents itself, strangely to say in al
most the oldest portion of the world in
the decaying Turkish empire. Turkey
in Asia is at least the largest section
of the world and in many ways the only
large section of the world now open to
new European influence to develop
ment and perhaps possession. The east
ern question is thus a western ques-
tion-the nations of Europe quarrelling,
pickering, cheating, lying, stealing,
fighting as to who shall possess this
last remaining world opportunity for
new markets, new influence, new eS-
pansion. Germany wants the route from
Constantinople to Bagdad and the Per
sian Gulf. 1t seems Germany IS largest
opportunity. Germany wants the oppor-
tunity to develop and colonize Turkey
from Constantinople to the Persian
gulf.
Servia was the first of the strictly
Balkan peoples to win independence
from the Turks. The Servian kingdom
of which the Servian still dreams and
of which they sing in. village gather.
ings and at their national feasts.
The Bulgar differs in many ways
from the Servian. Formerly the Bull
gars were believed to be Slavs but now
it is believed that the Bulgar is sprung
from a different race, perhaps Finnish
or of kin to the Huns or nearer perhaps
of kin to the Turks than any other Eu-
ropean race Politically Bulgaria owes
much to the United States. For many
years Congregationalists in America
have maintained the famous Roberts
college in Constantinople and Bulgarian
leaders learned from American teachers
deep lessons of the value of independ-
ence, the value Of education and Of
character.
The Albanians are among the most
interesting races in the Balkans. Al
bania boasts itself nation that has
never been conquered Roman legions,
Greek troops Slavic moslem and Gothic
hordes have at times made conqucsts in
Albania but have never really possessed
the land.
Montenegro like Albania was por-
tion Of ancient Illyria but in the mid
die ages formed part Of the ancient
servian kingdom.
The kingdom of Greece is not usual.
ly considered a portion Of the Balkan
peninsula, nevertheless in the light Of
modern developments consideration Of
it cannot be omitted when one studies
the Balkan peninsula. Modern Greece
is making brave efforts to renew not
her youth but her deathless age and
Greece was the first Moslem possession
to win independence from the Turk
Nearly one.half of the address will
describe Turkey, the Turkish people and
customs.