TO WAR AGAIN?

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8343, 1 February 1913, Page 4

TO WAR AGAIN?

The -negotiations of the last few weeks for a termination of the war in tho Balkans are definitely announced to have failed, and hostilities aro to bo resumed next Monday. That is the news to hand at lime of writing, but events in the disturbed portion of Europe have been moving so quickly of late that the intervening hours may produce quite fresh circumstances. No one need be surprised if the new Turkish Government shirks a renewal of the campaign. Notwithstanding the bravo protestations that accompanied the deposition of Kiamil Pasha and tho murder of Nazim Pasha little more than a week ago, their successors have since then exhihibited a marked inclination to temporise. Tlie Porte’s reply to the allies, though impossible of acceptance, reveals a decided tone of weakness when conipared with the bold language of the Young Turk party in the first excitement of overthrowing Kiamil’s Government. Events that have occurred during the current week show _ that Turkey’s army is sharply divided in its allegiance to the late and the present administrators, auguring most unfavourably for its chances in war against the so-far victorious lorces of the Lilian League. It may be, of course, that there aro movements behind the scenes—that certain of the Chancelleries of Europe aro pulling the wires and moving Enver Boy and his friends as so many automata. But we can hardly believe that tho Concert of Europe is to' be disrupted, -with all tho possible, dreadful consequences of such a catastrophe. So far as the cards may be on the table, appearances suggest that the Turkish authorities aro maintaining tho national reputation for stubbornness and vacillation, probably hoping against hope for intervention at the eleventh hour. The cable news gives the Turks vcry_ poor prospects on tho battlefield, particularly if any reliance may be placed upon the estimate of the London “Chronicle’s” correspondent at Constantinople that only one-fiftb of the army is favourable to the Government. If there is more lighting and the Great Rowers maintain a neutral attitude, the allied Balkan States must surely bring their victories of the last three months io a successful, and prob-, ably rapid, consummation. But wo should not bo at all surprised to hear by Monday of developments. That Turkey may yet realise the true position, and back down, is well within the range of immediate possibilities.