The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1913. THE MENACE OF WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 259, 25 March 1913, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1913. THE MENACE OF WAR.

It is on overy hand recognised that, so long as the war between Turkey and the Balkan Allies drafts along, there is a possibility of complications arising, that may lead to a general European embroilment. Recently it seemed as though I Roiimania would take up arms against Bulgaria, bin the good offices of the Great Powers were able to cause amicable negotiations to be substituted for warlike measures. In general, Austria has been the chief disturbing- clement. At one time she threatened war with Servia: at another she and Russia adopted a very menacing attitude towards each other; and now the dual monarchy is making trouble over the future of Scutari, which is being furiously bombarded by the Montenegrins and seems in imminent danger of falling into the hands of the besiegers. The cession of .Scutari is one of the principal conditions of peace insisted npon by the Allies; .but the AustroIlungarian Government, it isnow declares that it will not permit that stronghold to he taken from Albania, even though it should be taken by the besiegers before peace is concluded. The newspapers of Vienna are clamoring for the despatch of an Austrian ultimatum to Montenegro, and it h said that the Government is likely to yield to this demand. An Austrian naval division is to be sent to cruise off the Albanian coast: and siimilta.;icoiis]y with tin's we learn that Italy is making extensive naval preparations and is about to despatch a squadron, including six transports. Matters have assumed a very menacing complexion, and the Ambassadors of the Powers, sitting in conference in London, are having an anxious time endeavoring to prevent an extension of the theatre of warlike preparations. It seems on the face of it passing strange that Austria should he the principal disturber of European peace, for it is well known that the dual kingdom is in danger of disintegration. The fact is that it is this very weakness which is the cause of Austria's bellicose policy. More than half the population of Austria-Hungary are Slavs, and the effect upon these of the complete victory of the Balkan Allies cannot be calculated or foreseen. One possibility is that the creation of a powerful Slav confederacy in the Balkans will lead the Austrian Slavs to demand independence, with a view to becoming one of the allied States. Quite apart, therefore, from her own ambitions in the shape of territorial expansion towards the Aegean Sea. it is to Austria's interest to thwart the plans of the Allies. She therefore hopes, by a display of force, to prevent Scutari becoming a part of Montenegro—her ultimate aim being, of course, to bring Albania under her own influence, after it has been erected into an independent State. The present threat of an ultimatum might he viewed as mere '•bluff," but for the fact that Italy, the close ally of Austria, has evidently been induced to join in the hostile demonstration. Although the aspect of affairs is undoubtedly ugly, we do not despair of a peaceful solution of the difficulty. The Triple Alliance will, in the ultimate resort, tind itself once more confronted by the stronger Triple Entente—Great Britain, Prance and Russia—and once more will back down as gracefully as possible, rather than risk a great European war. Germany can only give a half-hearted support to Austria in the matter of ' Scutari; Italy, unfortunately, has to do pretty well what Austria bids her. The "odium theologicum" enters into the dispute, owing to the alleged slaughter of Roman Catholics who refused to join the Orthodox Greek Church; and Russia, as the great defender of Orthodoxy, will side with those of that religion as

strenuously as Austria and Italy will champion the cause of the Catholics. It will require all the steadying pacific influence of Britain and France to reconcile contending interests and allay fierce passions: but we are hopeful that the influence- will be sulficicnt to make the intending combatants pause until it is seen whether a way cannot be found to placate Austria without offering violence t.o the legitimate aspirations of Montenegro. The sacrifices made by the roiirageons mountaineers entitle them to respect and consideration. If they succeed in taking Scutari, it would be outrageous if they were robbed of the fruits of victory by the brigand tactics of Austria.