Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1899 The Balkans.

Manawatu Herald, 20 June 1899, Page 2

Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1899 The Balkans.

A fight has taken place in the Balkan provinces between the Albanian troops and the Servian frontier guards. The Balkans are a series of ridges of mountains in south-eastern Europe, and derive their" name from the Turkish word " Balkan " which means a mountain. This range of mountains runs from the Black Sea through Bulgaria and Eastern Roumelia, or as it is now termed South Bulgaria, and thence breaks off forming the eastern and part of the southern boundaries of Servia. The position of the group of countries likely to get mixed up in the fighting now commenced are situated in the following manner: — Turkey along the southern boundaries of Bosina, Servia, and Eastern Roumelia; North of Eastern Roumelia lies Bulgaria, and to the north of that country lies Roumania, and the Black Sea is their eastern boundary ; Servia has Bulgaria, and part of Roumania on its eastern side, Hungary on the north and Bosina which is part of Austria on its west. At the south boundary of Servia lies the Albanian provinces of Turkey. Trouble has arisen for the past fifty years and more between the Turks and the inhabitants of the mountainous country in the north and as it was in Bulgaria years ago, so it appears is now the case with Servia, the uncontrolled Turks act in a very high-handed manner with their smaller neighbours. Complaints have been lodged by Servia, and Bulgaria has gone the length of intimating its intention to assist Servia should necessity arise. Whatever the real reason may be for fighting we have the making of a very serious war. Turkey is the most troublesome European Power, for though poor she manages to get enough money for war, and as her troops are excellent soldiers she has thoughts, like France has, of getting back her lost provinces some day. We believe that neither Servia and Bulgaria can withstand a serious on slaught by her and these States will seek for help from Russia and Austria, and thus we get the old Eastern Question again opened up. It appears as though peace in Europe was only to be obtained by the removal of the Turk, but who is to do it, and who is to gain the territory for doing it, is just the one point European diplomatists cannot agree upon.