p. 21 | Current Mention

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 15, 1908

Current Mention

—Eight persons lost their lives in a tenement-house fire in New York City on October 5.

—A plot to blow up a public-school building in the Bronx, New York City, was frustrated on October 5 by the timely discovery of the concealed dynamite. Had the explosion occurred while school was in session, from fifteen hundred to two thousand children would probably have lost their lives.

—Last week Bulgaria declared her independence of Turkey and her assumption of full sovereignty over Rumelia. Prince Ferdinand, who has been the ruler of Bulgaria, under Turkish suzerainty, has assumed the title of Czar of Bulgaria. Simultaneously with Bulgaria’s declaration of independence came the announcement by Austria that henceforth the provinces of Bosnia and the Herzegovina would belong to the Austrian empire. Turkey, believing that she would accomplish more by an appeal to the powers of Europe than by an immediate appeal to arms, sent a strong protest to the nations of Europe, declaring that the treaty of Berlin was broken in the acts of both Bulgaria and Austria, and asking for a conference of the powers with a view to compelling the two countries to abide by the provisions of the treaty, declaring at the same time that she reserved the right to protect her own interests. While the nations were exchanging views in reference to the matter, the island of Crete, a Turkish dependency, declared its independence of Turkey and its allegiance to Greece. At the same time the people of Servia and Montenegro have been clamoring for war with Austria. Servia is reported to have called out her reserves. Anticipating that her move would meet with armed resistance, Austria is ready to cross the Servian frontier on a day’s notice with 150,000 men. Bulgaria also is preparing to defend the new position which she has taken. There seems to be a reluctance on the part of some of the powers to hold a joint council over the matter. Russia has intimated that if the treaty of Berlin is revised, she will expect “compensation,” which means, at the least, that she will demand the unrestricted passage of the Dardanelles. But this is the one thing above all that England does not want. The Russian foreign minister, M. Iswolsky, has gone to London to confer with the British prime minister over the situation. England has despatched a fleet of twelve war vessels to a Turkish island not far from the entrance to the Dardanelles, presumably as a warning to Greece not to complicate the situation further by accepting the offer of the Cretans. It is reported that Austria is moving troops and hospital trains to the Servian frontier, and she steadily refuses to reopen the question of her rights over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Servian parliament, on October 10, voted against declaring war on Austria, the vote standing sixty-six for war and ninety-three against. It is impossible to forecast what further developments a day may bring forth. Europe may be likened to-day to a great powder magazine which a single spark may set off. The complications are ripe for the greatest war in the history of the world, and it may open at any moment.