THE BALKANS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12726, 23 March 1909, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

The Austro-Servian Trouble Solution Expected Shortly Press Association.— Telegraph.— Copyrieht. LONDON, March 22. Reuter's Belgrade and Vienna messages show that as a result of the Powers concerting as to the arrangement, Baron von Aerenthal lias postponed his answer to the Servian Note, and a solution is expected to be reported. In his Note, described at the time as a weighty one, M. Isvolsky emphasised the grave dangers of unilateral action taken by Austria and Bulgaria, and declared that a preliminary exchange of views among the Powers, as proposed by Austria, constituted an introduction to a conference, aud the final decision must rest with such conference. Article 25 of the Treaty of Berlin could not be simply abolished — another article must be substituted to define the situation in regard to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Vienna correspondent of the Times, referring to the Note, said it was difficult to see how AustriaHungary could evade this cogent argument, however unpalatable it might be to submit to article 25 of the treaty being overhauled by a conference. In a powerful speech in the Douma a few days after the Note had been issued, M. Isvolsky commended the great results brought about by the Anglo-Russdan agreement, and vigorously criticised the policy pursued by Austria. .He affirmed that Russian views upon the Balkan question were in accord with the views of all with whom international law was a living entity, and strongly warned Servia and Montenegro against any act of rashness. Replying to the criticism of those who declared that Russia's policy ought to be a simple protest against the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, M. Isvolsky admitted, though apparently with regret, that Russia was handicapped^ by certain secret engagements entered into witli Austria between 1876 and 1878. so that now she was unable to protest alone against the annexation which concerned the signatories collectively. Russia, he said, needed peace and time to recuperate, so that she aimed for a peaceful solution of the Balkan question by legal means. Amid the cheers of a mjority in the Douma, M. Isvolsky advocated the m^ral and political union of the" Balkan Slav States. The aim of Russia, he said, was to combine them with Turkey in a common ideal for the defence of their national and economic development.