The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-01-09
BALKAN STATES
MAY ENTER STRIFE
SMALL NEUTRAL NATIONS SEEM
TO BE ON THE VERGE
OF WAR.
CONTENTION OVER MACEDONIA
Bulsarians Claim Upon Ancient Coun-
try May Force Trouble With
Greece and Roumania

standardization point to the
possibility of the Balkan states, which
are now neutral, taking a hand in the
war. The Greek minister of finance
has declared Greece is making prepa-
rations to maintain the new territories
which she gained in Balkan wars from
Turkey and Bulgaria, but that she has
more to fear from Bulgaria than Tur-
key. 1t is not thought Roumania can
look on calmly while the Russians are
advancing toward Pennsylvania, and It
is expected she will join with Russia
and try to secure the much-coveteC
eastern province of Austria Hungary.
The steps which have been taken to
bring about an understanding between
the Christian Balkan states and with
the idea of securing the neutrality of
Bulgaria, have not met with complete
success, according to dispatches re-
ceived in London from the near east
ern capitals, and Greece, Servia ard
Roumania are preparing for event
ualities.
During a discussion of the budget in
the Greek Chamber of Deputies, W.
Theokotis is reported to have declared
the speech recently delivered by the
Bulgarian premier regarding Mace
donia, which Bulgaria considered
should have been ceded to. her after
the last Balkan war, constituted
menace; while the Greek minister of
finance said Greece was making ur-
gent military preparations to maintain
her liberated territory.
Another dispatch from Athens says
the Greek government has forbidden
the expectation of cereals, flour, cat
tie, forage and arms. Should Bulgaria,
contrary to expectations, attack Ser
via to recover Macedonia, Greece by
her treaty obligations would, it is
thought in political circles here, come
to the assistance of Servia and the
throes of third war.
In Albania the revolution is said to
be spreading and the Italians, who oc-
cupied the seaport of Avlona, have
sent a battleship to Durazo to pro-
tect Italian interests.
Turkey apparently expscts trouble,
as the Ottoman government has ex-
PEELED all Asians from the Dardanelles.
The American official note pro-
testing against the British treatment
of American commerce and insisting
upon an early improvement, came as
a complete surprise to the British pub
lie, as there has been virtually no in
timation that any friction had arisen
between the two governments.
The placards posted by the evening
papers were given over exclusively to
the American note, and the papers
gave 1t the largest headlines they
have given any news during the last
month. British people regard this as
one OF the most important occurrences
of the whole war Nothing of it's kind
since President Clevelands Venezue-
Ian message has produced such a SEN
sation. ,asa
The British Foreign Office, in agree
ment with the American government,
issued the text of the protest of the
United States concerning delays to
American commerce due to search Of
vessels by the British fleet. The OH
cial Press Bureau gave out the follow
ing statement:
IAN answer to the American note
will be drawn up as soon as possible.
1t will be in the same friendly spirit
in which the American note is writ
ten"
The press bureau denied the sugges-
ton published in the London Times
that its previous statement on the
American note received by the For
eign Office was issued with the inten-
tion of charging the American govern
ment with discourtesy in giving the
contents of the note to the newspapers
before 1t had been received by the
Foreign Office.
The announcement says:
There has been no discourtesy
whatever on the part Of the State De-
partment at Washington or the Ameri-
can embassy in London"
The public has regarded the note as
q diplomatic document of great i'm.
portance. The first comment on 1t in
the newspaper offices however, was
that the note was less specific in stat.
ing the American complaints than had
been expected.
1t had been assumed that II contain
ed details OF cases on which com
plants were based.
president ant His PROGRAM.