EUROPE'S VOICE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1828, 14 August 1913, Page 5

EUROPE'S VOICE.

e ON THE BALKANS. SIR EDWARD GREY SUMS UP. A GREAT SPEECH. BRITISH MINISTER'S SUCCESS APPLAUDED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, August 12. Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, speaking in tho Housa of Commons, confirmed tho report of tho decisions regarding the /Egean Islands and Albania. Tho concert of Europe, ho said, had been firmly maintained. The great question now occupying the attention of the Powers Vas tho reoccupation of Thraco'and the situation ill Macedonia. The Treaty of London provided that Turkey's frontiers should give adequate protection to Constantinople; these, but for 'the Powers' intervention, might have been loss favourable.

Sir Edward said ho spoke in Turkey's interests when he said that tho occupation of Adrianople by Turkey might wreck the whole of tho prospects. If armed intervention by one or more of the Powers compelled Turkey 'to take the Powers' advice, she would incur vast responsibilities from which Britain would be unable to defend her. Britain did not intend to suggest revision of tlio Peace Treaty!

(Rec. August 14, 10.45 p.m.) Tho majority of tho foreign Ambassadors wore, in tlio Distinguished Strangers' Gallery of the House of Commons listening to Sir Edward Grey's reassuring speech on tho Balkan situation. The speaker said that 'though tho Powers wore not unanimous, there was no tendency to a division into ' opposing camps. Ho declared that although the Groat Powers accepted tho Bulcarest settlement, some favoured a modification of it, tot it was futilo to suggest alterations unless tho Powers suggesting theni wero prepared to use force. Hint to Turkey. "Tho Powers," said Sir Edward, "will not employ forco to expel Turkey from Adrinnoplo and Thracc, but Turkey stands to lose hejvily if sho refuses obedience to tho voice of Europe. Millions of the King's subjects aro Mohammedans, but wo cannot undertake to protect tho Mohnnimodan Powers outside the British Dominions, from the consequences of their own acts."

Clearing Houss of European Opinion. Incidentally ho remarked London had beon the Clearing House, for tho opinions of tho Great Powers. The Ambassadors' Conference hod turned many difficult corners. Every one of the Balkan States hod in the last few weeks disregarded treaties and agreements, and had sought to tako advantage of tho situation, but ho refused to select any particular State for .blame or raise a hue and cry against it. "Tho war at tho Ujgiiuiing," ho declared, "was a wot of liberation, but it rapidly becamo a war of conquest, and ended in being a wa.r of extermination. Tho conflagration has now burned itself out, and everything ' consumable has beon consumed." Racial Bitterness. Referring to tho war between Bulgaria and her quondam allies. Sir Edward said that it had been'a melancholy exhibition of racial bitterness and human perversity; a more distressing spectacle had seldom been witnessed. It was impossible not to be apprehensive for the future; it could only be hoped that the Balkan States would grow in a sense of responsibility, and profit by tho new opportunities given of enabling them to socuro their respective plaoes in the world. Sometimes, ho went on, the Concert of Europe had been criticised for not preventing' certain Ho was afraid, however, that tho Concert of Europe was not very sensitive to criticism.

Sir Edward Grey strongly entreated Turkey to observe tho Treaty of London, for tho Powers, besides scouring to Turkey a strong defensive frontier, tad opposed the Allies' demand for indemnity. Ho warned Turkey and tho Balkan States that if intervention wero provoked, it would not bo intervention by Europe, or by a Power armed with a European mandate, but somo one Power provoked into action in its own interest. '

Congratulated by Mr. Bonar Law.. Mr. Bonar Law (Leader of the Opposition), in a cordial speecli, extolled Sir E. Groy's services in tho cause of European peace. Sir Edward Grey had been greatly helped by tho fact that lie knew that he spoke for the whole nation, and by Britain's disinterestedness throughout the negotiations. His reputation for straightforwardness and candour had enabled him to make the most of these two advantages. The speaker concluded by congratulating Sir Edward Grey upon his success, and added that the Houso might feel sure that tho greatest of all dangers —the danger of a European war—was gone. 'AMBASSADORS' CONFERENCE ADJOURNS. London, August 13. • Tho Ambassadors' Conference settled the southern boundaries of Albania, and agreed that Italy should retain the occupied vEgean Islands until she settles with Turkey, when the Powers will determine the destiny of tho islands, agreeing not to retain any for themselves. The conference lias adjourned. POWERS AND THE BUKAREST TREATY. Berlin, August 12. The "Cologne Gazellto" statos that tlio other Powers sliaro Germany's view agojinst interfering with tho Bukarcst peace treaty, and that any action by European diplomacy against. tho treaty is therefore precluded. St. Petersburg, August 12. Russia is modifying her attitude, tooUsing that onoe tho present settlement was disturbed it would be difficult to limit tho disturbance. ("Times"—Sydney "Sun" Special Service) St. Petersburg, August 12. The Turkish Ambassador informed M. Sazonoff, the Russian Foreign Minister, that it will l>e impossible for Turkey to abandon Adrinnople.. jr. Sazonoff retorted that measures would bo tnlcon to compel Turkey to respcct. the Treaty of London. (Rec. August 13, 10.45 p.m.) Vienna, August_ 13. Russia, at Franco's instance, has yielded the question of the port of ICavala. Austria has abandoned her demand for the revision of the Bukarost settlement, restricting herself to withholding her recognition of the Treaty. KING FERDINAND THANKS HIS ARMY. COUNSELS PREPARATIONS TOR FUTURE. Sofia, August 12. King Ferdinand, in an address to the Bulgarian army, eulogises their achievements, and adds! "When my soldiers wero about to return tio thoit hoKjej, a

fresh scourge descended on the nation, 'l'ho allies, despite fixed treaties, betrayed the Bulgarians, and ondeavour<Kl to snntcli what tens of thousands of heroes

had redeemed with their blood. Tho struggle thus precipitated would have 1/een crowned by success but for a series of unforeseen political; circumstances paralysing the Bulgarians' strength. Pressed on all sides, exhausted, tired, but

unconquercd, the Bulgarians have been compelled to furl their glorious stand-

ards until lrettor days. Posterity will appreciate tho army's efforts."

The address concludes: "Koturn, Ix> your homes and devote yourselves irith frosh force and energy to peaceful occupations. Tell your children and grandchildren ab.mt the gallantry of the Bulgarian soldier, and prepare 'them to oompieto ono day tho glorious work you have begun."