THE WAR.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVI, Issue 14912, 3 December 1912, Page 6

THE WAR.

It is eight weeks to-day since Montenegro, by her declaration of war with. Turkey, began a conflict which tho nations hardly dared to hope would terminate without spreading beyond its originally intended boundaries. Much has happened since then. Turkey has given to the world a warning of the result of military unpreparedness, and the map of south-eastern Europe Avill have to be considerably remodelled, ■ but the great Powers are still at peace, seemingly with better prospects of continuing so than have promised since the war began. Tlie contest has been short, sharp, and decisive) but we may hope that it is ended. The senior officers among the Turks are said to be convinced of the futility of further resistance, and it is significant probably of the exhaustion on both sides that the armistice which was to last a day or two t is now to be extended over'eight days. Bulgaria has abated her demands, and a new spirit • among the nations is denoted by a message which arrived the other day that " German public opinion appreciates Great Britain's consistent, moderate policy, and the unanimity between Germany and Great Britain is a happy augury for the development of Anglo-German relations." This assurance, which might have seemed incredible in the face of prolonged German suspicions of British policy, is confirmed to-day by the .German Ambassador's statement that the political relations of the two ! countries were " never more in-j timate nor more sincere than at present." Mr Asquith's firm yet conciliatory statement of the international position as viewed by British eyes is probably langely responsible for this new confidence of Germany, which it is to be hoped no accident will impair. The Powers are to meet in conference to draft a new map of the Xenr East, and no Napoleon has yet ap*-jared to make their efforts futile, as happened after they had been engaged in a similar occupation'on a previous historical occasion. Servia's claim to territory on the Adriatic seems now to be the most serious obstacle to an agreement. The dissensions among the Allies, which we predicted would break put as soon as peace was established, have not waited for that consummation. 'Already'we are told of friction between Bulgaria and the other Balkan Powers " owin# to Iling Ferdinand's unlimited ambition and desire to dominate the Balkans.',' King Ferdinand has never had any popularity to spare in his own country, and States as old as Greece and Servia are not likely to brook easily any assumptions of undue superiority by the Bulgarian ruler.