THE NEAR EAST.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1938, 22 December 1913, Page 5

THE NEAR EAST.

JARRING NOTES IN THE EUROPEAN

CONCERT.

DELICATE PROBLEMS,

FRANCE SUSPICIOUS OF ITALY.

By Telegraph—Prec-s Ascociatioii— Copyright (Rec. December 21, 5.5 p.m.)

London, December 20.

Tho "Times" says that despite tho pacilic assurances of Heir von Jiethmann Hollwog (the German Chancellor) and of tho Marquis di San Giuliauo (Italian Foreign Minister), tho situation in tho Near East is causing anxiety owing to tho fact that Continental opinion is approaching tho problem from the standpoint of tlio Tripiico and tho Triplo Entente, instead of from tho European standpoint, which has preseived peace hitherto.

The difficulty, tho "Times" points out, is illustrated by Germany asking tho Triplice to givo a concerted answer to the British Xote to Italy and Austria, asking theso Powers to agree regarding the Southern Albania and Adriatic boundaries, but Italy is not willing to assent. Tho assumption of Sir Edward Grey (British Foreign Jlinister) is that tho Treaty of Lausanne has been fulfilled, thus necessitating the immediate return of tho Aegean Islands to Turkey. Franco is suspicious that Italy means to retain her hold on tho Aegean Islands, after having nominally returned them to Turkey- , . Though Franco accepts the Marquis di San Giuliano's assurance that tho 'iripiice has not been modified, sho fears that tho military or naval convention attached thereto may liavo been altered, to her disadvantage in the Mediterranean. Again, France is irritated at Russia's hesitancy regarding tho appointment of a German General to tho command at Constantinople. Turkey lias not arrived at an irrevocable decision in tlmt matter, and should remember that, Russia and France have power to para, lyse tho Baghdad railway. Russia desires Mount Atlios to bo placed under a protectorate of States of tho Orthodox Greek Church, which would involve a change iu the Mediterranean balanco of power as grave as tho Italian control of tho Aegean Islands; Austria fears the development .of tho Slav power; while Servia is attempting to secure the financial control of the Orient railway, hoping to secure thereby free access to Salonika.