The Press. MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1908. THE BALKAN CRISIS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13250, 19 October 1908, Page 6

The Press. MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1908. THE BALKAN CRISIS.

Matters in connection with the settlement of the crisis in the Near East aro progressing, but it cannot be said that the tension has been appreciably relieved or that we are yet in sight of a satisfactory termination of the difficulty. On the contrary, the communication, of tha Kaiser to the. Emperor of Austria, which- w© publish this morning, has rendered the situation more acute. Oti Saturday we were able to publish th© reassuring intelligence that an exchange of views between M. Isvo-sky and Sir Edward Grey had resulted in a eamplele agreement between Russia" and England ns to the course to lie followed. This was to the effect that it wis desirable a Conference should bo

held, that it should affirm the principle of respect for the law of nations making reparation to these injured by any breach. Very wisely, we think, the scope was to be limited so as to d?al exclusively with questions arising out of violations of the Treaty of Berlin. The first object of the Conference, it was agreed, must be compensation to Turkey, and provision must be made for effectively strengthening the present regime in Turkey as affording the best guarantee of- peace. Remembering the circumstances tinder which the Treaty cf Berlin waa signed—that it was practically forced on Russia afc tho instance of Great Britain—it* is a. somewhat striking illustration of the* changes which time may bring about in tlio diplomatic world, to find these two countries and France working so amicably together to enforce respect for the Treaty. Up to this point, tho result of tho negotiations has undoubtedSy been a triumph for Sir Edward Grey. Simultaneously, however, it is announced that Austria will decline to accept tho proposed Conference of tho Powers unless her annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is accepted as an accomplished fact and legalised without discussion. Apparently there, is n deposition on the part of tho Powers to acquiesce in tho annexation, but the agreement between Russia and Grent Britain stipulates that compensation nnist be mado to Turkey for the wrong she has suffered owing to the deliberate breach by Austria of the terms of a treaty solemnly executed by tho Powers. Unless the Conference is to discuss this point it is futile to go through tho farce of calling it together; on tho other hand, should tho Conference tako place and fail to arrive at a satisfactory decision, tho dangers of the situation would become more pressing than ever. But, as already intimated, tho opposition shown by Austria to having her conduct reviewed by a European Council is not the only disquieting feature in the present position. To tho Emperor William tho spectacle of Great Britain and Russia agreeing in such an amicable fashion as to what ought to be dbno sqetms to afford anything but gratification, and he has distinctly thrown down the gauntlet by congratulating the Emperor Francis Joseph on his " successful annexations," and promising him his support. Notwithstanding the Kaiser's impetuous disposition to do tho wrong thing in an international crisis, it seems almost incredible that he would officially congratulate tho Emperor of Austria on having flagrantly violated a treaty entered into by tho Powers at a conference, tho invitations to which were issued by Germany. Such an amazing act of provocation seems almost moro inexcusable than the telegram which he sent to President Kruger after tho Jameson Raid. That telegram, it will be remembered, raised a storm of indignation in England, and a flying squadron was promptly mobilised) to miako'it clear to Germany that any attempt" at interference would mean an outbreak of hostilities. In tho present case other Powers besides Great Britain are concerned, and we cannot say what may bo the immediate consequence of the Kaiser's defiant action. But wo can hardily imagine anything more likely to prevent a peaceful l solution df the difficulty than such highhanded dferegauxl of international justice.