The Auckland Star WITH WHICH ARE INCORORATED The Evening News, Morning Nwes and The Echo. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1908. THE NEAR EAST.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 245, 13 October 1908, Page 4

The Auckland Star WITH WHICH ARE INCORORATED The Evening News, Morning Nwes and The Echo.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1908. THE NEAR EAST.

For the cause that lack* assistance. For the wrong that needs resistance. For the future in the distance. And the good that we can do.

On the whole we can fairly say that the situation in the Balkans' has perceptibly improved during the past two days. It would, of course, be unreasonable to attach much'importance to the popular demonstrations at Belgrade in favour of war, more especially as the Crown Prince, who appears-to be fomenting the agitation, iB generally regarded as irresponsible, if not actually insane. In the National Assembly wiser counsels have prevailed, and a considerable majority has decided against war with Austria. The conciliatory reply sent by Servia in response to Austria's enquiry as to the reason for calling out the reserves is not likely to deceive any one, but it at least indicates that for the moment Servia is not prepared to risk a struggle that in all probability would mean the final loss of her independence. Montenegro has elicited from England a candid admission that the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria is a direct breach of the treaty' of Berlin. . But though the Montenegrins have solemnly burned Austrian flags and coats , of arms, and have carried enthusiastic votes of thanks to England, it is not likely that they will go even as far as the Servians in the quixotic and hopeless attempt to maintain a compact which the Concert of Europe seems ; powerless to uphold. Even Turkey, ■which is the most seriously aggrieved party, does not seem Inclined to do more i than utter formal protests against Bulgaria's declaration of independence and Austria's seizure of the two "protected" provinces, and under the circumstances, row that the momentary panic is oyer, • we can hardly expect the minor Balkan States to lead while the Powers lag cautiously behind. So far, none of the Powers except, possibly, England, have come out of the , crisis very creditably. But Austria 1 easily holds the record for duplicity and ;' double-dealing in this depressing expos- ! ure of "fin de siecle" diplomacy. Quite apart from her deliberate breach of an international agreement solemnly ' adopted by all the Powers in concert, Austria has outdone her worst tradi- , tions in her avowed reliance upon certain "secret" compacts alleged to have been concluded between her and Turkey . and other Powers. First, we heard that Baron Aehrenthal had assured France, that Turkey had a private understanding with Austria to the effect that Austria's occupation of the protected provinces was to be permanent. In answer to this pretext, the "Times' " correspondent at Paris produced evidence of a convention signed by Turkey and Austria in 1878, while tho Berlin Congress was in session, stipulating that Austria's occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina should not in any way prejudice Turkey's sovereign rights in the two provinces. To this, Aehrenthal now makes answer that it is quite true that Austria did sign this agreement, but that it was only for the purpose of inducing Turkey to accept the Berlin Treaty. In other words, Austria, having deluded Turkey into the belief that • she meant to keep a promise that she intended to break, now produces her falsehood as a justification for her treachery. / But even this is hardly the worst of the story. For while admitting that Turkey had always understood that Bosnia and Herzegovina belonged to her and were only occupied temporarily by Austria, Baron Aehrenthal claims that the interchange of "communications" between Austria and Turkey in 1879, the year after the Treaty of Berlin was signed, really abrogated this agreement because there was nothing in these documents to imply that the occupation was provisional or conditional. And if further evidence of her own treachery is needed, Austria can cheerfully supply it. For Baron Aehrenthal now assures the world • that in 1881, only three years after the Berlin Congress, Austria made a private arrangement with Germany and l Russia to the effect that Austria might annex Bosnia and Herzegovina whenever it became convenient to do so. Here we have one of the great Powers, after promising solemnly in the pre- ' sence of her peers to restore certain possessions to another, not only repudiating her bargain, but going behind the backs of all her rivals to arrange for a breach of her pledged word whenever she can find a safe opportunity. We need not waste words upon - the conduct of Russia and Germany in becoming parties to this iniquitous bargain. Since the days of Bismarck's cyni- ■ eal "re-insurance" treaty, by which Germany bound her enemy Russia when called upon to attack Austria, her professed friend and ally, the world has heard no- ' thing like these Aethrenthal revelations; and the bare recital of these devious intrigues shows how small a part is [ played by the ordinary standards of • moral conduct in the world of diplomacy to-day.