The Dominion. MONDAY, JUNE 30, 1913. TREMBLING IN THE BALANCE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1789, 30 June 1913, Page 6

The Dominion. MONDAY, JUNE 30, 1913. TREMBLING IN THE BALANCE.

Though war has not actually beca declared between Bulgaria and Solvia, an engagement has been reported in which no fewer than 12,000 Bulgarians and a large force of Servians took part. There is great excitement at Belgrade, where the Government confiscated the "special editions" containing the headline "War Begun." The situation bfitween tho two countries now appears to have reached a stage at which, unless some definite step is soon taken towards an agreement, a state df op on war can hardly be avoided. The cause of tho trouble is the division of the territory taken from the Turks. An agreement on this matter was entered into before the campaign commenced, but, owing to unforeseen developments, Servia contend! that it would be very detrimental to her interests if the strict letter of the treaty is to bo mad'e the basis of the Tsar'b •arbitration. Bulgaria, on the other hand, demands that; the agreement must be adhered to, and M. Daneff contends that from the poiiit of view of equity the new facts to, which the Servians appeal are unimportant. He goes on to state': Macedonia has never,been considered as a mere prize or piece bf br/oty to be divided up. The Servious have freely recognised that five-sixthfc of Win inhabitants of Macedonia are We have, unfortunately, not bedn able to come to an understanding with them as to the remaining sixth, and; w<i hnvo reserved that question for arbitration. But wo havo not recognised nnj-thini* at all as definitely belonging lo feerviti in Macedonia. proper. Thit is a, country, I must iuiist, which has * *nd a. *oul of its tnru. . It catiiiot' kt tmnUd &g A m«» pi«« of booty'to.b» porliomd out. It was no inttntion bf burs th«t « rtfion whi»h is Buljariaa sljoild «vi>r Iwoome Bert. For this r«asoi|, tlun, th« scrso-ni'-nt cannot b» reviMtl, and all tht Bulgarian districts must; corns to Bulgaria independently gf any oth»r consideration. Bulgaria's action : 5n insisting upon the agr««rtient, th'j irholt agi'e«m»at, and nothing but the agweraont, has placed Scrvia in; the unfortunate position of havirjg to choose betvicon n rupture wit!) Bulgaria, which would play inbi the hands of iUisLria and Gcrmimy ns againvt the Slav nations, cjr allowing Bulgaria to take the lion's share of the spoil, and thereby to become a dangerously powerful neighbour. The urobabih-

tics seem to be that unless the treaty is modified Servia will not receive a roward in proportion to the sacrifices which she made during the war, for it is understood that, according to the agreement, her sphere in Macedonia would only extend a little further than Uskub, in spito of the fact that her army advanced along the left bank of the Vardar up to the gates of Salonika, and fought the Turks at several places beyond Uskub. Servia wants to keep the territory silo conquered, including tbc towns of Velcs, Perlefe, Monastir, and Ochrida. The Tsar is anxious to arbitrate, but cannot do so until some understanding is arrived at as to whether he is to keep to the exact terms of the treaty, or whether ho is to take all the circumstances which have subsequently arisen into consideration in giving his award. The question of race against nationalityis also involved in the dispute. If the Balkan States arc divided, German and Austrian influence will be strengthened at the expense of the Slavs, and if Servia concedes the demands of Bulgaria her nationality is in danger of being swallowed up by the growing predominance of her neighbour. Russia and France are not greatly interested in the details of the dispute, but they are very desirous of seeing a strong Slav barrier erected which will act as an effective chcck on German aggression. The latest reports to hand show that they are bringing all possible pressure to prevent the disputants plunging into war. The situation is made extremely complicated by reason of the conflict of interests and influences, but thero are still grounds for hoping that diplomatic action will be able to prevent an actual outbreak of war.