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In the Balkans

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 15, 1913

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 20.

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In the Balkans

By C. M. S.

WITHIN the past week there has been a marked change in the Balkan situation. The king of Montenegro has evacuated the city of Scutari, declaring that while he would not yield to the dictation of one power, he had decided to place the situation in the hands of the great powers of Europe. Whether this yielding to the demands of the powers will forestall the invasion of Albania by Austria and Italy, is still problematical. It is reported that conditions in Albania are in such a condition of unrest that these two powers will undertake the work of bringing about a more settled condition there. There has been a battle between Essad Pasha, who held Scutari against the Montenegrins, and Djavid Pasha, who commands a strong force of Turkish troops. The Turkish government has ordered both these commanders to reunite with the main Turkish army. To obey this command would be a very difficult undertaking while all the intervening country is occupied by the Servian, Bulgarian, and Greek armies. As Essad Pasha has declared himself the king of Albania, it is not likely that he will attempt to obey. Austria and Italy have not definitely declared themselves in reference to Essad Pasha. There is still a feeling that the Balkan problem is far from its solution. A prominent Austrian statesman is reported to have declared that signs foreshadow a momentous and perilous hour when many of the great powers of Europe will be in danger of being drawn into a struggle greater than has ever taken place before. A conference of ambassadors is now in progress in London, seeking to unravel the tangle of conflicting interests in southern Europe. A report from Constantinople states that a new territorial menace faces Turkey. Russia is said to have begun a heavy troop movement to the Persian frontier and into Turkish Armenia. It is the belief that Russia contemplates annexing Turkish Armenia, the reason given for Russia's move in this direction being the persecution of Christians by Moslems. From whatever point of the compass the European situation is viewed, one can see that the situation is a delicate one. It is fringed with danger on every side. C. M. S.