Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 February 1903 — EUROPE FACES WAR. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

EUROPE FACES WAR.

NATIONS PREPARING FOR GREAT STRUGGLE WITH TURKEY. of the Sultan's Sway Seen—Kua* ala and Austria Massing Large Armies on the Frontier for Spring Campaign Appalling Possibilities. The probability of the maintenance of peace in Europe beyond the next few weeks is less, considerably less, than the probability of war. This grave conclusion Is the deliberate judgment of statesmen and private observers alike who ora acquainted with the latest development! in the crisis in the East. There have been perennial war scares over the Balkan question for many years, uutil diplomatists as well ns the world at largo have come to regard the cry of wolf with indifference, but it is impossible to ignore or belittle the alarming nature of the present situation. The London Times does not exaggerate when it ■ays: “Every European chancellery is awnra thajh there is most imminent danger of a revolt In Macedonia on a totally different

•cale from the usual spring disturbances, and an opening up of questions that may lead to a struggle the limits and issues of which a wise man will not pretend to forecast.” The preparation of the Macedonian revolutionary committee for a general rising in the spring are so extensive that it is impossible to keep them secret, and It is impossible to offset them except by a large army and campaign arrangements. It is only necessary to point out the main features of the situation in order to demonstrate the imminence of the peril. The Sultan's atrocious misgovernment of Macedonia, despite all warnings and protests, Las at last aroused both the Christian and Ottoman populations to revolt. The Bulgarian government has given formal assurances that it will do everything in its power to avoid Interference in the coming quarrel. It is quite beyond its power, as all concerned know, to prevent the Bulgarian people from crossing the frontier and making common cause with the Macedonian revolutionists. Servia also professes its Intention to •tand aloof, but there also no government is strong enough to keep the country long out of the field after the fighting begins. Mistake of European Concert. It will naturally be inquired how it happens that th# European concert, which especially champions the rights of the Macedonian Christians, has allowed the crisis to reach a point of such danger that npw it is probably too lato to avert an outbreak of the much-dreaded conflagration. It would have been much better, as the Times observes, if Europe had taken the w'kole population under its protection instead of only the Christians, inasmuch aa the Ottomans are suffering equally from the atrocious misrule of the corrupt governing class. The cokeert of Europe, as has been many times demonstrated with appalling consequences, is a useless machine for sny emergency requiring prompt action. Moreover, Abdul Hamid has successfully resisted its efforts more than once, even when it was unanimously in earnest. It la almost hopeless to nttempt to wring adequate concessions from him now In time to induce the Macedonians to abandon their revolutionary program. It is clear that this is fully understood by the powers proposing these reforms, but Russia and Austria have already begun massing troops on the frontier for a campaign which they consider inevitable early in the spring. The Sultan himself Is by no means idle. He ia prepaving to put down in hia usual savage fashion any rebellion In his dominions. There is no doubt of ths result, however. If, while struggling with the revolting provinces, Abdul Hamid is confronted by the troops rs Russia and Austria, the Turk will at last he driven out of Europe. But what will lie the effect of a Russian seizure of Constantinople? A few years ago it would hnvo been the signal for a general European war. This la less probable to day, hut to again quota the Times, a wise man will not pretend to forecast tiie limits and Issues of the questions which would be opened up.

ABDEL HAMID.