A DISQUIETING SITUATION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 23, 27 July 1914, Page 7

A DISQUIETING SITUATION

"We have no desire to give rise to unnecessary concern about the present situation in tho Near East, but there is undoubtedly a risk that the absorption of the public mind in painful subjects nearer home may cause it to overlook the fresh dangers which are gathering in that part of the world. They are of two kinds, and it is hard to say which of the two involves the more serious menace to the tranquillity of Europe. On the one hand, all the Balkan States are arming 'and intriguing against their neighbours. On the other, the Albanian problem threatens the good relations between Austria-Hungary and her Italian ally. If the present rivalry between the Balkan States, is continued unchecked it must almost certainly lead them at no distant date to war, or national bankruptcy, or _ both. Instead of devoting their energies to repair the losses caused them by two exhausting struggles, they are busy preparing for fresli conflicts and prosecuting ambitious policies that can only be carried out by the sword. Prominent and general amongst those policies is the attempt which is being made by the several States to make their populations 'national' by thrusting out all foreign elements."—The Times, 3rd June..

APPROXIMATE STRENGTH OF ARMIES

The International WhiUker for 1914 gives the following informations Austria-Hungary.—The war establishment of the mobilised Field Army is 895,000 all ranks,, with about 1,000,000 from other formations.

Servia.—The peace effective is about 35,000 of all arms, the ultimate war strength' exceeding 220,000. Turkey.—The peace effective is about 380,000 of all ranks; the war effective exceeds 1,600,000. / Bulgaria.—Peace effective, 3844 officers, 54,037 others. War effective, Field army 275,000; Territorial army 55,000. . Rumania.-—Peace effective, 4000 officers, 94,000 others. War footing, 250,000 combatants; Reserve over 100,000 additional. Montenegro.—War effective, 30,000. Italy.—Peace 282,400 men. War effective, active army and active reserve, 1,000,000} mobile militia, 320,000; Territorial militia. 2.300,000. Greece.—Peace effective, 29,000 (191213), war effective, 120,000 (1912). (Forces are in process of reorganisation).