The Near East by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Dec 3, 1912

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 47.

The Near East

By Editor

SINCE our last, the situation in the Levant has materially changed twice. We left our readers with the cities of Adrianople, Monastir, Scutari, heavily besieged, and the fall of each and all reported imminent. But Adrianople still holds out, tho the other two have fallen.

The Bulgarian army investing Adrianople has moved on to Constantinople, and left the city guarded by their ally, the Servian troops. In the surrender of Monastir and Scutari the Turk lost 50,000 soldiers and large spoils of war. These victories have permitted the Bulgarian and Servian troops to concentrate upon the defenses of Constantinople, the first line of which is at Tchatalja.

When our last issue went to press, it was thought that Constantinople would probably be in the hands of the allies in twenty-four hours, but the Bulgarians met with a fierce and stubborn resistance. Here reports are conflicting. The Bulgars declare they were not defeated, tho the Turks claim decided victories. The fact seems to be that the Turks repulsed the enemy, and the Bulgars fell back and yielded ground they had taken.

Austria still holds that Servia must not have a port on the Adriatic, and demands apology from Servia for Servia's treatment of the Austrian representatives. It is charged that Servia isolated them, and so held back important news from reaching the Austrian government.

An armistice was declared November 20, and earnest endeavors were made to agree upon terms of peace. One thing which has helped the allies to accede to Turkey's request is the repulse by Turkey, the certainty of a long siege, and the outbreak of cholera in the camps on both sides. The Turks have effectually checked Ferdinand from celebrating victory in the Mosque of St. Sophia, by using that edifice as a pest-house and hospital.

But the news from the front November 22 declares that Turkey has rejected peace proposals, and the war goes on to the bitter end, or — one knows not what. Oriental war and diplomacy is marvelously uncertain. During negotiations, it is rumored, Turkey has greatly strengthened her defenses of Constantinople. One correspondent calls them "impregnable." It is also said that Greece will endeavor to force the straits and attack the city from the sea.

Bulgaria has a small navy on the Black, but not able probably to cope with the Turkish. Hoping therefore in her navy and in her improved land defenses, Turkey elects to carry on the war rather than yield Adrianople, Scutari, Janina, and the Tchatalja lines. Yet some experts still think there is a probability of the Bulgarians' entering Constantinople. Bulgaria says that her proposals are not in the way of an ultimatum; Turkey may make counter proposals. Cholera and pestilence in both camps may compel peace.

Servia still demands a port on the Adriatic, and is willing to fight Austria to obtain it.

The latest is (November 24) that Austria is determined to humble Servia and is mobilizing her army on the Servian frontier, and sending her river boats down the Danube. Albania, with Austria behind her, has declared her independence; Russia is mobilizing her forces on the Austrian frontier; and Germany is calling out part of her forces. There are plenty of assurances of peace, but military preparations for war go on apace. In the meantime, negotiations for peace are still going on between Bulgaria and Turkey; the allies are offering Turkey easier terms.

Thus matters stand at this writing.

If the fighting goes on to the bitter end, the Turk will doubtless be driven to the Euphrates Valley, his Asiatic possessions, where he will be found under the sixth plague of Rev. 16:12. Europe will have taken a long step toward the great Holy Roman Empire, the dream of the Papacy, and the end rusheth on.