p. 7 | The Gathering War Clouds

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 27, 1908

The Gathering War Clouds

THE press for weeks has been filled with rumors of an approaching conflict between the United States and Japan, and the prophets of such a war are found in both hemispheres. Plausible reasons for such a conflict are set forth and alleged “inside information” is paraded in print to make it appear more certain. Soon after the appearance of this war-cloud, another arose in the East. Turkey began to menace Persia, sending armed men into territory in dispute between the two countries. Russia, which claims a preponderating influence in North Persia, began to make preparations at once to strengthen Persia’s protests against this Turkish move, the Russian Douma voting the necessary funds for the mobilization of sixty thousand men. This move and countermove have given ground for the prediction that there would be war in the spring between Turkey and Russia. At the same time there have been other developments which seem to increase the probability of such a war, and indicate that other powers might be involved. Turkey has granted to an Austrian firm the right to build a railway in Turkish territory, connecting lines already built which would bring Vienna into direct connection with the Ægean Sea. The Austrian firm is backed by German capital, and Russia therefore regards the building of such a railway as a German move aimed to increase German influence and decrease Russian influence in the Balkans and the vicinity of the Ægean Sea. England and France are said to be urging Russia on, while Germany and Austria are supposed to be giving similar counsel to Turkey.