END OF THE BALKAN WAR.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 22, 25 January 1913, Page 9

END OF THE BALKAN WAR.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—The news that Turkey, -wisely acting, accepted the Powers' terms in terminating the war, came as a relief to all the civilised -world. Turkey has been defeated, and had to give in unless she was ill-advised by her old friends, the Germans and Austrians, who in Turkey's fate must admit a political, diplomatic, and financial defeat.

Balkan war means liberty from the Turkish yoke of so many Christians, the granting of some reforms to those Christian subjects who shall still remain under the Turkish flag, reaping of victory's fruit by the Balkan Allies, and the triumph of the Triple Entente (England, France, and Russia) against tflieir opponent, the Triple Alliance. The Balkan war, as we all know, more than once threatened the world's peace, and we can say without hesitation that the fate, or, rather, the long future of some ambitious European Powere depended upon it. It is not a secret that the: Triple Entente encouraged the Balkan Allies, and Germany and Austria backed Turkey as Tvell. Italy's position was indifferent, and 'by its attitude gave the world to understand that Italy shall never forget the Lissa and Trieste. Therefore, Italians anr Austrians can never be true friends. As far as regards Italy, it may be added that the Balkan war compelled Turkey to almost unconditionally sign the terms in "connection of peace with Italy, thus terminating a war which, owing to the natural difficulties in Tunis and Tripoli, might have lasted for a long period, meaning to Italy a great deal of daily war expense.

Germany and Austria lost in Turkey their best markets, and it can be said that if they had the slightest hope of winning they would not 'hesitate to draw the sword. But the rattle of the sabre was coolly answered by the other Powers, and the former say that a European war meant the risk of their national existence. Acting wisely, Germany and Austria abandoned their golden dreams of being world conquerors, and the best plan for them should be to try and be friends with everybody, and discontinue the enormous expenditure in armaments, of which all nations are tired.

For Turkey the Balkan war, though she lost heavily, may be a lesson for the future. Had Turkey granted some reforms of equal rights to her subjects, the present war would never have started, and now, if Turkey sincerely wishes peace in future, she must do what for such a long time past her Government has failed to do. At last we can say that the ■world's war cloud has been lifted. Is it temporary, or for good? Though we all wish it to be the latter, I am afraid it is only the former.—l am, etc,

JOHN ZAVrrOHAXOS, Representative of the Greek National Society, Hellenismos.