THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1897.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10427, 27 April 1897, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1897.

Every day gives a new aspect to the trouble in the »outh-east of Europe, and new issues arise that almost obscure for a time the developments that had been concentrating the attention of the world but a few days before. The turmoil around Crete, has almost passed from notice, in face of the greater struggle that has broken out between Greece and Turkey on the mainland, »nd now apparently we are on the eve of a new development, the importance of which will probably dwarf into insignificance all that has been preceding it for the past few months. A brief intimation in our cables tells us that Bulgaria has refused the bidding of its suzerain, the Sultan of Turkey, and declines to break diplomatic relations with Greece. This incident seemingly a little thing in itself is the first intimation of what was anticipated from negotiations that were proceeding some time ago, the object of which was to have its realisation on the occurrence of certain eventualities which have now taken place. Various efforts have been made by both Bulgaria and Servia to come to an understanding with Greece in relation to Macedonia, and the chronic disturbances in that province under Turkish rale. Early in last year King

Alexander of Servia made a visit to Athens, when besides his matrimonial projects, which proved unsuccessful, it was earnestly desired by the Servian Prime Minister, who is warmly PliilHellenic, to complete an understanding with the Court at Athens in relation to the future of Macedonia. How far this effort had effect was not very apparent; but subsequently Bulgaria sent its ablest diplomatist as ambassador to Athens with the express object of inducing the Cabinet to come to an understanding witli the Bulgarian Government on the same subject. The proposals were ostensibly with the object of having pressure brought so as to have reforms effected in Macedonia in the belief that the subject population being strengthened would sooner or later lead to union with the kindred raca Greece it is understood was more inclined to impetuous courses, and no definite understanding was on this occasion arrived at. Since then Servia and Bulgaria have themselves been negotiating with one another, and in view of the difficulty in which Greece became involved in the Cretan affair they have been considering joint action 80 as to profit by the embroglio which seemed even then likely to be evolved out of the relations between Turkey and Greece in Crete. Immediately before the actual outbreak of war between these two Powers King Alexander of Servia made a visit to Sofia, and it was well understood that an arrangement was come to between the King and Prince Ferdinand by which they should try and make profit out of the trouble in which Turkey would be involved with Greece. That struggle we know lias come, and with it the opportunity to which the two Balkan States were looking forward, and Bulgaria's defiance of the orders of the Porte appears to be the prelude to the proceedings intended.

It is needless to say that the entry of these two Powers on the scene must alter the whole aspect of the situation in the East. Whether acting in concert with Greece or looking to their own interests, even if at the expense of Grecian pretensions, the object of their hostile demonstrations will be Turkey. And flanking, as these two States do, the whole stretch of Turkish territory in Europe from the Black Sea almost to the Adriatic, the diversion that a simultaneous attack from them would cause must have a most serious effect on the Turkish arms. It is known that Bulgaria has been for the past few years re-organising its army, which it lias brought to an extraordinary state of efficiency, being able to place in the field about 200,000 well trained and thoroughly efficient troops. Servia for some time has also been openly preparing for war, and though its strengtli is scarcely to be regarded as so great as that of Bulgaria, the little kingdom has developed a very formidable power. The interests of these two Powers may not be identical with those of Greece in the outcome, but for the present their joint interest must be a common resistance to Turkey, the settlement of their several, and somewhat conflicting, claims being reserved till the common enemy may be repelled. The irksomeness of the suzerainty under which Bulgaria has been restive since its establishment as an autonomous principality is the first incentive in that State's hostility to the Porte, though the possibility of extending its coast line to the Bosphorous and Dardanelles is probably one of the visions presented aa a result of the war. Servia's ambition is to reach the Mediterranean and possess itself of the great port of Salon ica; and thouqh the pretensions of Greece lie in the direction of the same valuable port, the large province of Albania and a portion of Macedonia would probably satisfy her aspirations iu the prospective disposal of the goods of the sick man of Europe,

But while these minor though warlike States are stirred to action by the contemplation of these prospective advantages, they are only opening the door that is to introduce far mightier combatants on the scene, for the Austro-Hungarian Empire has always looked on Macedonia as its rightful heritage, and any movement on the part even of those smaller Powers to usurp its rights will be inevitably followed by the mobilisation of the enormous forces of that empire, Russia's pretensions towards Constantinople would be similarly prejudiced, so that the first steps taken by Bulgaria and Servia will be the opening out of the question, which the concert of the Powers has been labouring so hard to delay— the partition of the Turkish territory. So long as the struggle can be confined to Greece and Turkey, the Powers can stand by and look with equanimity at the carnage proceeding. But let a forward step be taken by Bulgaria or Servia to extend the arena of conflict, and at that instant the prospective rights of Austria and Russia are menaced, and those two great Powers, with whatsoever other Powers they may draw along with them by Alliances or interests, muit advance on the stage as the principal players in the awful drama. The little Powers are seeking what the greater Powers are determined to have, and which they are only deterred from taking by their fear of one another, and by the dread of the consequences to each and all, whatever side victory may ultimately turn to. And it is apparently the action of these little Powers that will precipitate the scene that will close with Armageddon.