THE BALKANS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 774, 24 March 1910, Page 7

THE BALKANS.

BULCARIA AND TURKEY. KING FERDINAND AT CON- . STANTINOPLE. By Telcerabh-Prot? Aseoclation-CoDyrlcht. Constantinople, March 22. King Ferdinand and Queen Eleonora of Bulgaria were cordially entertained at Constantinople. The- visit is significant after their Majesties' recent journey to St. Petersburg. Tue and German press show soreness with regard to the visit.

NO SIGNS OF SERIOUS DISQUIETUDE. In reference to the Balkan situation, the Vienna correspondent of "Tho Tiinesi" writing on February 1, states: — . Notwithstanding unsatisfactory rumours from Athens, Sofia, and Constantinople, no signs of serious disquietude poncerning the Balkan situation are yet observable in competent quarters here, The possibilities of trouble are thought to be outweighed by the probability that trouble will be prevented. Statements published in London that Austro-Hungarian troops are being concentrated near the Sanjak of Novi Bazar receive to-day an emphatic denial from the Austro-Hungarian War Office; and apart from the authority attaching to such a denial, it must be said that nothing of a nature to call for any movements of troops in Bosnia and Herzegovina has yet become known in the Austrian capital. In the "Politische Correspondenz" a member of the Turkish Government' further declares the reports of Turkish military preparations against Bulgaria to be devoid of foundation. ~

During tho next few weeks and months disquieting reports from various Balkan centres are' likely to be frequent.. It is desirable" that they 'should be received .with attentive equanimity in Western Europe. A display of nervousness in the English or French press is often, albeit erroneously, interpreted as a sign of nervousness on the part of Governments, and as such tends to increase unrest in the Balkans themselves. As far as is. known 'here ; there is no reason'to believe complications to be inevitable or even probable during the. coming spring and summer, but it is certain that trariquility in Western public opinion would help to steady tho situation in tho Balkans,' especially _if tho .Great' Powers, including AustriaHungary and Russia, can establish'between themselves relations such as •to ensure, concordant treatment of any emergency that may arise.