p. 9 | Grave Crisis in Europe by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 31, 1912

Grave Crisis in Europe

By F. M. W.

The World's Unrest—No. 2

It is not alone in the religious life of the people that there is marked unrest at the present time. Turning to the political situation, we are confronted with the workings of the same disintegrating principles. International complications and internal dissensions continually make uneasy the heads that wear the crowns. The present political situation is anything but reassuring. Nineteen hundred twelve is not yet rid of the heritage of political perplexity descending to it from the preceding year.

The great revolutionary upheaval in China is not wholly past history. Conditions in that unhappy empire are still unsettled, and the new republic is far from being recognized as stable and permanent. The same is true of conditions in the Mexican republic. The year 1911 witnessed the overthrow of the Diaz government. The administration of President Madero promised great things in the pacification of the country, and in the correction of many abuses. How signally efforts at pacification have failed the long-drawn-out and still-existing struggle loudly emphasizes.

Added to these complications in the western continent have been the revolution in Cuba, and the still more recent trouble in Central America, demanding the active interference of the great American republic. The war between Italy and Turkey has dragged wearily

on. Unlike preceding Turkish imbroglios, the European powers have seemed loath to interfere, and have manifested but little interest in bringing the conflict to a conclusion. Propositions looking toward a peace settlement have been made. It is believed that the war is practically over.

Grave Crisis in Europe

The last few days have served to inject a new and exceedingly grave element of danger into the European situation. The small states of the Balkan Peninsula, the so-called “cockpit of Europe” in which trouble is always fermenting, have evidently seen in the present situation an opportunity for making new demands upon the Turkish power for greater liberty for their brethren in Turkey. Thirty-four years ago, in what is known as the Treaty of Berlin, it was distinctly provided that the powers of Europe would see to the realization of reforms in the administration of European Turkey. Upon this assurance the little states of the Balkan Peninsula fondly expected the reform of many abuses which existed. For these reforms they evidently have waited in vain. It was believed that under the rule of the Young Turk party greater liberty would be accorded, but it seems that the reverse has been true.

The last few days have witnessed the mobilization of the armies of Montenegro, Servia, and Bulgaria, and with these Greece is uniting her forces for a joint attack upon Turkey. The war spirit is at fever heat. Not since 1870 have there been so many men under arms as are now facing one another in this new alignment of forces.

Frederick Werner, special correspondent from Berlin for the Cincinnati Inquirer, writing to that paper under date of October 19, says:—

Never has Europe passed through more troublesome weeks than the last two; never has the cabinet in every capital in Europe worked harder or against heavier odds to maintain peace than at present, and never has the general political situation looked more desperate. All over Europe the governments pray for peace, and outside of the Balkans there is not a people that does not share the wishes of its government and abhor the very idea of war. Still, war is surely being forced upon them. The statesmen are suffering from their mistakes of the past, and dearly may the great powers now be called to pay for their mutual jealousy, which has prevented them from forcing the Turkish government to carry out the reforms in Albania and Macedonia which were promised time and again.

Every effort will be made by the concert of powers to restrain the conflict within the borders of the Balkan Peninsula. The interests involved, however, are so far-reaching that it will be difficult to do this. Both Austria and Russia have large interests in the Balkan States, and it is altogether improbable that they will willingly see these interests sacrificed without protest or interference. A general feeling seems to prevail that, whatever may be the immediate outcome of the embarrassing dilemma in which Turkey finds herself, one more step will be taken toward her ultimate elimination from the map of Europe. The Wall Street Journal in speaking of the problem says:—

It contains, among other vital issues, the land road to British India; Austrian domination in the Adriatic through the possession of the Turkish coast line down to and including Salonica; the autonomy of Christian races in Turkey, like the Albanians and the Macedonians; and the control of the entrance to the Black Sea.

The Drying Up of the Euphrates

Little by little the dismemberment of the Ottoman empire has been taking place. Upon this process of dissolution the New York Journal of Commerce comments as follows:—

Greece, Roumania, Servia, and Bulgaria successively freed themselves from Ottoman sovereignty; Albania has been in a state of chronic unrest, and Arabia always unruly. Cyprus and Egypt are in English hands, Tunis is under a French protectorate, Bessarabia is a Russian province, Bosnia-Herzegovina is a territory of Austria-Hungary, and Tripoli has finally become an Italian colony. The work of disintegration would probably have been pushed further if the absorptive designs of the powers were not neutralized by their jealousies.

It is too much to expect that any of the little states of the Balkan Peninsula will enrich itself from Turkish territory as a result of the present conflict. Indeed, according to the terms of the Berlin Treaty, the great powers of Europe pledged themselves that in event of war between the Balkan States and the Ottoman empire there would be permitted no modification of the territorial limits of European Turkey. If any nation is to benefit from the continued drying up of the Ottoman dominions in Europe, it will be one of the great powers that for years have looked with jealous eye upon the rich possessions of Turkey. Of this the Washington Herald of October 21, says:—

Just what designs lie back of the permission which the powers of Europe appear to have given for the war in the Balkans will not be evident for some time. The causes and expected results are far from being on the surface. What is plain is that astute statesmen at Berlin, Paris, London, and St. Petersburg have begun a series of international jockeyings, out of which the “little brothers,” who actually spill their blood, will derive only incidental benefit, perhaps none at all. Let us suppose, for the sake of argument, that the Ottoman is driven from the Bosporus back into Asia, whence he came a conqueror centuries ago. While this would not be mourned by Christianity, the question which of the great powers should occupy the most strategic spot near the Levant could not possibly be decided without an appeal to arms by four or five nations. Does any one suppose that any of the small Balkan States will be permitted to seize a prize that half a dozen big states have unsuccessfully coveted for centuries? Would Britain consent to have Russia controlling the outlet into the Dardanelles and the Ægean Sea, with the advantage this would give her arch-enemy in Asia and rival for the Indian Ocean commerce to block the Suez Canal, the short route to India and Australia and all that this would mean to England?—Never! Yet Russia, in whose territory are the three mouths of the Danube, in Bessarabia, to the north of Roumania; Russia, with her frowning Sebastopol fortifications in the Crimea; Russia, which some day is bound to make good the prophecy of Peter the Great; Russia, which has all the advantages of strength and wealth on her side, will scarcely allow England to be given the protectorate—a favored English method of grabbing countries—over Constantinople.

National Rivalry and Jealousy

The events in the Near East are being watched by thousands with intense interest at the present time. For years the atrocities perpetrated by the Turkish government upon its Christian subjects have enlisted for the persecuted ones deepest sympathy, and created an insistent demand that the persecutor be severely taken to task. It has been felt also that the Oriental civilization of Turkey stood as a check to the spirit of commercial intercourse between the East and the West. The only thing that has sustained Turkey and prevented just retribution being visited upon her has been the jealousy of the European powers. Every nation in Europe has been quite willing that the so-called Sick Man of the East should come to his end, but the questions have always been, Who shall fall heir to his dominions? What nation shall control the great highway to the wealth and commerce of the East? Who shall rule on the Bosporus and control the passage to the Black Sea? There will come a time, however, when if these questions can not be settled by international agreement, and they probably never can, it must be left to the chances of war.

In this conflict, as in others that have preceded it, Turkey seems to be the prey around which the vultures are gathering. What a day may bring forth the most far-seeing statesman is unable to tell. There are so many interests involved, international relationships are so complicated and delicately balanced, that the slightest readjustment may serve to start the fire of long-suppressed animosity and national rivalry, and the end be a widespread conflagration.

The great increase in naval expenditure during the last decade is indicated

by the following naval estimates of the world's eight leading nations for 1902 as compared with 1912:—

In round figures the aggregate naval estimates of the eight powers in 1902 were $454,300,000. In 1912 they are $869,000,000. Great Britain naturally heads the list with $154,000,000 in 1901 and $225,000,000 in 1912. Next comes the United States with $80,000,000 increased to $134,000,000. Germany jumped from $47,000,000 to $113,000,000; Japan, from $22,000,000 to $47,000,000; Austria, from $9,000,000 to $29,000,000; Russia, from $46,000,000 to $88,000,000; France, from $69,000,000 to $90,000,000; Italy, from $24,000,000 to $42,000,000.

Internal Dangers

We are living in thrilling days in this earth's history, in a period of great national and international unrest, affecting in some degree and in some manner practically every nation under heaven. The governments of earth are quite as much concerned over revolution from within as attacks from without. Strong and growing elements of disorganization must be contended with. Conservative ideas of government are being displaced by radical teachings which would cast aside the old-time barriers of safety, and, like the closing days of imperial Rome, make appeal to the passions and prejudices of popular acclaim. License is demanded in the name of liberty. In consequence of this growing disregard of just and stable principles of government, as seen in the legislative assembly, in the judiciary, and in the work of the executive, as never before in the history of men can it be said that “judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity can not enter. Yea, truth falleth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey.”

As never before the children of God need to place their trust in the Most High, realizing that he rules in the affairs of men.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. . . . Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Ps. 46: 1-3, 10. F. M. W.