The Dominion. SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1910. RESTLESS EUROPE.
The mournful surroundings of the interview between the German Emperor arid ,M. Pichon, the French Minister of Foreign. Affairs, had the effect of largely diverting pubi lie attention from consideration of the weighty words uttered on that occasion. Monarch and Minister were in London attending the funeral of King ,Ed\vard_ the .Peacemaker, , and it was fitting that the thoughts of the German War Lord should turn to the subject of peace. According , to . the Paris Matin, the Kaiser,, in ,a tone of evident sincerity, developed 'the theory to M. Pichon that, the great nations of Europe, should, in the interests of humanity and civilisation, remain closely united and co-operate in forming a powerful peace confederation.' Further, another Paris journal of high repute, Le Temps, is responsible for the statement . that both the Kaiser and M. Pichon expressed confidence in the future of the material and moral peace of the' world, based on honourable compromises frlierever possible. The . two statements, though not in ' absolute agreement, must bo considered of importance in view of the present restless condition of . European diplomacy. "Everywhere," observes a recent writer" in the Fortnightly Beview,. "the mouths of statesmen., are full of peace. Everywhere armaments are increasing and apprehension is not allayed." The few sentences cabled from. Paris afford insufficient bases for comment of a precise nature; for that we must, await the arrival of the full reports. It may, however, be said that utterances such as these are not new and that it is easy to exaggerate their value. The brief extract from ■ Le Matin is curiously reminiscent of the German Emperor when, several years ago, he sought to arouse Europe to a -sense of danger of the Yellow Peril. Then, it will be remembered, he drew, or _ supervised the drawing of, a striking picturo which depicted the Europeau na : tions assembled witnessing the coming of the East—Buddha enthroned, cities wrapped in the .flame and smoke of desolation. This weird representation of doom and disaster carried the message: "Europe, protect your holy plafees." Emperor William's words, when he speaks of Europe in the interests of humanity . and civilisation remaining closely united, seem to suggest that it is against the East he still desires to form a powerful confederation. M. Pichon was more explicit in- alluding to the peace of the world; but ho was less sanguine than some .peace enthusiasts of the present time. The peace of the world, he was confident, could she attained by "honourable compromises, wher-. ever possible." But, where honourable compromises are impossible, what then? Public opinion in France may have undergone a change, and it. is possible that the old cry of revanche, is there no. longer heard. A Bill for the extension of'the Constitution of AlsaceLorraine, about the time of the interview, 'was before the German Federal Council. This measure aims at the further consolidation of German interests in the • ceded State which Frenchmen, not so very long ago, swore to have returned to France. A candid expression of opinion from France on the Kaiser's declared aspirations—and, say, from the Emperor's recent antagonist, M. Dklcasse—would be extremely helpful at the present juncture, bringing to light, as it would, the measure of success likely to folltfw these, the latest, dniivf.ranr.os udou the
problem of peace. It is true that the European situation lias altered for tho better during tho past eight weeks. That situation, however, continues uncertain and unsatisfactory ; but the immediate prospect of wjr on a large scale seems for the time to have disappeared. Turkey, the other day, protested to the Pon'ers against the action of ■ the Hellenic majority in tho obdurate Cretan Assembly swearing allegiance to the King of the Hellenes and expelling the Mussulman members of the Assembly. Tho Turkish troops are fighting the Albanians, and, it would appear' from recent reports, introducing into their methods a sufficient dash of the atrocity element to perpetuate the ways of the old rc-gime. Rumania is ill at ease; Servia is seething with discontent and casting defiant glances across the Danube. Bosnia-Herze-govina seems sunk in a' strange apathy—a quiescence which many fear is as the lull preceding, the storm. King. Ferdinand of Bulgaria shares with, Count Aerenthal the distinction o'f being at the moment the most ambitious and astute diplomat immediately coricerned with tho future of the Near East.. But many busy brains' are employed. upon what the Spectator, in a fit of weariness tho other day, entitled "that eternal Macedonian question." King Ferdinand has been to Vienna, St. Petersburg, and Constantinople. King Peter of Servia has also visited the Austrian and Russian capitals.' Foreign Ministers have been engaged in ' numerous pourpurlers. This unprecedented energy is not without significance. Count Aerentiial has of late been playing a game of mystery, as well as of defiance, with respect to the Balkans and the Berlin Treaty. That he misled M. Isvolsky, the Russian Foreign Minister, as to the real intentions of Austria-Hungary has been placed beyond doubt. His. annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina was not only in defiance of the Berlin Treaty; it was also opposed to.his friendly declarations to M. Isvolsky while the two were understood to be' working together, and in harmony, for the settlement.of the Balkans. Mr. J. L. Garvin, a competent- authority, described Count Aerenthal's act in' the Fortnightly Review as "the most remarkable and, dubious episode in European diplomacy since Bismarok'B double insurance Treaty with Russia at the expense of his Austrian ally." Macedonia is unsettled to the core, and that fact provides avaricious Monarchs and Ministers with a reason for intervention, personal and national aggrandisement being ultimate objects always in view. Austria, the ' European press declares, desires to reach Saloniki; the \same authority has it that Germany longs to possess Trieste. That King Ferdinand hopes to be Tsar of all the Balkan States, is already obvious. Vienna seems desirous of drawing nearer to St. Petersburg, and at tlio expense of Germany. That is if Count Aerenthal's words may _be accepted as plain and undiplomatic. "Germany... cannot. influence this Monarchy," the Count , declared quite recently to the correspondent of the Russian journal iVovoe Vrenuja. "If anyone ran influence us it'is Russia." The-prospects of the Emperor's "powerful peace eonfederation" cannot be described as bright. At 'the present time there is a. ferment, in Europe.
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Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 840, 11 June 1910, Page 4
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1,052The Dominion. SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1910. RESTLESS EUROPE. Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 840, 11 June 1910, Page 4
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