NEWS BY MAIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1412, 24 March 1905, Page 4

NEWS BY MAIL.

Vienna Feb. 4. Arminius Vnmbery, the renowned authority'on Balkan polities, gives the following interesting forecast to The World correspondent on European complications which are likely to arise upon the Balkan question if Russian autooraoy be subverted :

“ The overthrow of Russian autooraoy will not be bo easily realised as people imagine; but it will certainly have a great effect'upon politioal constellations in the Balkan. Had Austria been wise, and not ' forfeited the sympathies of the Christian and Mahometan inhabitants of the near East, she wonld replaoe the influence ol Russia ; but this is out of the question. Austria iB more hated than the Turk. “ The exclusion of Russia from the Balkans would unavoidably entail on the one side an alliance between the Bulgarians and the Servians, which will be joined by the Christians in Bosnia and Herzegovina*; on the other, it would cement an alliance bEtween tbo Greeks and Turks, whose oornmon interests unite them in the struggle against Slavism. As long as no Europoan rival appears in the field this is the crux of the wholo question, for if Austria tries to realise her old plan of os tending her frontier to Solonichi, Italy will claim part of Albania, either for herself or for Mpntonegro ; nor iB it likely that England will abstain from diplomatic [ interference, and, without trying to effect the • bag and baggage ’ policy of Gladstone, will side with those who strive to make themselves independent of Austria.” London, Eeb. 4. Gambling never reached such a pitoh in London society os to-day, women being even more reckless than men. Almack’s Club, in King stroet, St. James’s, started last autumn by the most exclusive set to enable men and women to play, is so full morning, afternoon and night that it has been found necessary to extend the premises, providing four additions spacious card rooms

Stories aro in circulation of large sums won and lo6t by woman, married and single, who are heavily involved and therefore under obligations to men, which is a lively source of scandal. Late at night, after theatres and private parties, they go to Almack’s, playing until far into the morning.

The Atlantic Club, in Dover street, where young swells gambled! freely, came to grief, but has been revived by a South African multi-millionaire, and bridge and baccarat are now in full swing, while so feverish is the demand for gambling faoilities that another club has been established a few doors away, to accommodate those who cannot get into the Atlantic, the membership of which was filled within two days of its restating. The whole affair has become a stupendous scandal, accounting in some measure for the practical interest evinced in the Torrey - Alexander mission by certain social bigwigs. The Anti-Betting League, originated to check horse-race WBgering, is endeavoring to stir the authorities to attack thosD clubs as equally illegal. Obscure gambling clubs in Soho, chiefly patronized by foreigners, are constantly raided by the police, but the authorities are reluctant to adopt any measure that would result in the appearance in the dock of a police court of a horde of the best-known men

and women in society and the court, peers, members of Parliament, and even of the Government itself. - The subject will be raised in Parliament at the first ■ opportunity after its mooting,