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Show STAGE SEEMS TOE SET FOR EUROPEAN WAR IN THE SPRING LONDON, Eng. If Europe Is from a general convulsion In spring, her statesmen 'will de- serve the praise of history ii nd the thanks of the whole world. It is in the spring that things happen in the Balkan region that present center of the continent wherein may be struck the vital spark of European flame. The Balkans are extremely, mountainous, and the country, difficult of communication in most parts at any time, Is Impassable In the winter, when snow and drift and glacier block the rugged way, writes A. Francis Walker In the New York Press. It is a country of unrest, of strife and turmoil. Year after year the world has been told each winter "There will be war In the Balkans in the spring." The world has been fooled so many times by this rumor that it has become skeptical, but the time for skepticism Is past. If ever the rumor Is going to find development in actual fact, it surely will find it in the spring of 1909. According to Sir Edward Grey, the British minister for foreign affairs, the present Balkan troubles have caused "the greatest diplomatic complications of modern history." Never were so many International Interests involved, nor dii so many territorial complications ever arise at one Juncture. The Serb states seem bent ujion fight; Bulgaria, In her ambitions toward Macedonia, no longer feels her Interests bound up with Austria; Russia cannot afford to disregard Slav feeling, however much she may cry peace; and whichever way the pendulum swings, If an outbreak should occur, Austria and Turkey must find themselves Involved. Germany has promised to stand by Austria and France and England are busy safeguarding their status quo. All Signs Point to War. The announcement that Austria had decided to pay the sum of 110,000,000 or thereabouts to Turkey as compen- - mlght well tolerate from a Servian tongue what she could not possibly tolerate from Russia, France or Germany, for instance a little more consideration for the exigencies of the Servian minister's surroundings might have led the government of Vienna to regard the Servian minister's speech as Intended less- for foreign than for home consumption. But Austria Is not Inclined to be lenient. As a matter of fact, consideration for the weaker nation In general never has been a characteristic of the policy of Vienna. The whole trend of events during the past few weeks points' to this fact that the ties which maintain certain of the European powers In a state of peace are of the very slenderest nature and that the slightest indiscretion of word or deed may precipitate a Btrusgle the " end of which no living man can - with Austria's recent concession to , Turkey. ,. There are critics who trace the origin of the present European trouble mainly to the aspirations of Francis Joseph's heir, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose aim is believed to be partly Federalist the change of the dual monarchy Into a federal sysSlav state will form tem, of which an Important constituent partly Clerical at home and abroad. This would mean pushing Austrian rule forward into the Balkans In the spirit aud with the aim of a twentieth century Catholic crusade. Other critics conclude that while the act of Bulgaria in putting her foot through the treaty of Berlin when she declared her independence In October last and Austria's formal incorporation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, may have been dramatic, nobody In. Europe considered Bulgaria or Bosnia and Herzegovina parts of the Turkish empire except In name. Austria mated order in the two provinces and administered and civilized them for 30 years and probably no historian ever will say that Europe ca.item'plated their being handed back to Turkey without protest. For all practical pur- : 'i jv V... I for-see.- It Contest V of Races. , K The fundamental, basic fact back of all the negotiations between the various powers, principally Austria and Turkey, Russia and the Balkan provinces proper, is the collision of two opposing forces, whose natural trend, respectively, is east and west, north and south. KInglake in his masterly analysis of the Crimean war has noted the inevitable tendency of the northern peoples to the south and the warm water. At the present moment two great races are obeying that Instinctthe Teuton and the Slav. From west to east, or southeast, the Teuton, represented by Austria, with the driving power of Germany behind her, is heading for Salonika. From north to Bouth, or southwest, the Slav Is equally bent upon linking up (he dismembered fragments of his race and making his way down to the Adriatic. And the geographical and political point at which the lines of these movements Intersect lies In the two provinces which form the present bone of contention. Through Bosnia and Herzegovina, also through Servia herself, Austria Jfy k L ' HUN .,....:. .Si :- --' VS'.'T A VHKfU w f( v'He v- -- ' III i !My orRoun INTERESTED , 7AV sUlon for the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina cleared the air for ' time, but already difficulties have arisen concerning the actual amount to be paid In cash, the terms of payment and the refusal of Turkey to stop the boycott of Austrian trade until the final signatures to the financial settlement have been written down. That Is only part of the trouble any-waServlu and Montenegro are more defiant than ever. The recent speech of the Servian minister for foreign affalM in his own parliament was a flat defiance of Austrian demands. n M. Mllovanovltch. the Servian "Hands said minister, practically off'." to Austria, lie bluntly declared that the balance of power and the liberties of the Balkan peoples could be safeguarded only by Austria ceasing to be a Balkan power. Further, he formulated a demand for the autonomy of Bosnia and Hcrzgovlna tinder European control and for the recognition of the Save and the Danube rivers as the frontier between the dual monarchy and the Balkans. . A great power like Austrlu-Hungurcould afford to remnln passive under nmvncatlon from a minor stste, and for-elg- PERSONAGES. hopes to force tier way southward. Through that same territory, Inhabited by the men of his own race and tongue, and largely of his own re liglon, the Slav Intends to find his way to the sea, and thereby to unite those kindred racial elements which are animated by the most Intense hatred and jealousy of Teutonic ambitions. It would seem as If, In the presence of these two. tremendous opposing forces, the petty details of international politics from duy to day have only, that luiortance which belongs to them In their relation to those forces. Yet It Is In the petty details of political strife that the kindling wood is found. Disagree as to Motives. There seem to be no doubt that the personal Influence of the Emperor Francis Joseph had a great deal to do with the avoidance of rupture a f,.w months ago. , The empior. sometime called the "father-in-laof Kuroiie," Is the oldest of European sovereigns. He U 78 years old, and he has reignsd for 11 years. And It Is fulrly ceitali thai the emHror'i desire for pear and his anxiety to see a quiet sunset of reign that had such a cyclonic sunrise In 1848 has ha J much to do -- . t, A , win iinwimi h Bos-phor- a i National Capital. Bright Scenes When President Entertains That the the American capital lion of life at the American capital depends much upon the beauty and gorgeousness of the court costumes of the foreign diplomats and the officers of our army and navy, who are regu larly called Into service for social duty, is not to be controverted, and when these attractions are combined with the Imposing form and ceremony attendant upon the city surrounding a president of the United States and his cabinet, and the direct representatives of foreign rowers to this government. brilliant and interesting you have phase of life scarcely known in the western hemisphere outside of WASHINGTON. While the president of the United States appears at formal entertainments In a frock coat In the afternoon, and at evening affairs In the simple, somber formal , habiliments every American man wears after dark, he is surrounded by his aids from all branches of the military and naval service, who never appear at the White House or in company with the president in other than full dress uniforms and with their ' swords at their sides. The same Is true of the foreign ambassadors and ministers and the military and naval attaches of the embassies and legations. Two great occasions on which the White House is resplendent with tho gorgeous uniforms of the diplomats and our own military and naval men are the reception of the president on January 1, when every member ct the corps, with his wife and daughters, calls to wish the president a happy New Year, and about ten days lateral the diplomatic reception prcHcribed by precedent, which Is the first of a series of formal evening receptions the president gives during the winter. I'tori numerous occasions, and always at the White House, both Ihe head of the navy and of the urmy appear In their con leuous full dress uniforms, which are quite as licb as those of many of the foreign ambassadors and ministers. Scarcely second In brilliancy to the reception given by the president to the diplomats la that at which he is host for the army and navy, when hundreds of the higher eX fleers of both branches of the service attend in their gala uniforms. The senior aids to the president, who make all of the presentations to him at all entertainments and attend him upon all occasions, practically live in their official regalia, while the younger aids are almost daily called upon to wear their best uniforms. In fact, there. Is a splendor about the official social life of the American capital which is scarcely second to that of any court of Europe, and which sets it apart from all other cities ot the United States. a Cause of Worry there was a scheme few , h ii nil t ii What Is Gclnpl On at the Loeb's Next Berth partly owing to the prince's own extravagances and mania for gambling. One of his daughter! is the present queen of Italy. War Would Mean Change. Of Abdul Hamld II. or Turkey little need be' said. During his reign of 33 years he has lost most of his doniln Ions In Europe, and as the regenerated Turkey, under constitutional rule, has shorn him of most of his govern mental power, be becomes a much lest dominant figure than before In the ruling of the Ottoman empire. If there should' be war there surely will be some radical changes in the map of Europe. Truly, In the event of general hostilities, some historic battlefields would be trampled again. The' entire area of central Europe It a memory of wars of the past; one can scarcely tread a square mile of ground without putting one's foot upon some battlefield ot a bygone time. The total war strengih of the European nations at present concerned In the diplomatic negotiations over the Balkaus Is represented by a total of 8,399,000 troops, which Includes enlisted men and reserves. But reckon' Ing the number of men actually avail ablo for duty, though unorganized, a European war could mean the employ' ment in the work of killing of 13,560 000 men, or a grand total of 21,959,000 men in land forces alone. The employment of the navies of the same na tions could mean the engagement of a total of 123 modern battleships. 1,802 other vessels of war and 362,561 men. The total wealth of these same nations Is represented In gigantic fig ures, no less than $215,000,000,000. Of all the European powers, France Is best able financially to face a war. The individual wealth of France is greater than that of any ot her rivals, and her internal financial responsibil ities ere less. Germany Is not in a healthy financial state. Turkey has been financially corrupt for ages, but, somehow, she always can get the money to fight. Always Prepared for War. There has been no serious European war outbreak since the Russo-Turkisof 1877-8- , though tor several years before that Europe had known little war of peace. The Franco-Germa1870, the Crimean war of 1856 and the Austro-Prussiawar of 1866 are all near memories. In the Balkans them selves there has been no real peace for years past. The Bulgars, the Turks and the Greeks have lived in a state of turmoil. For all The Ilaugue peace confer euces and talks of treaties and arbitrations, Europe looks out upon the spring with quivering eye and nerves a tingle. The Jealousies of races and nations scatter treaties and paper bonds to the four wluds.' How long before the clash? Tho Turk in his mad fanaticism, guarding religion and race In the manner in which he enjoys, the greatest fighting unit In the world.perhaps, though always lacking lead ershlp and discipline; tho Bulgar no less warlike and capable ot a guerrilla campaign second to none, the Greek and all the mixed bloods ot the Orient combined; the Teuton and the Slav, the Norman and the Anglo 4nxon, with little chance for the Latin to escape, it Italy sees fit to keep faith with her allies-- all likely to bj in volved In setting the Old World ablaze! A continent ot peoples clash Ing and struggling for that pride ot place which diplomats choose to terra "the balance of power!" How long? The spring may tell. loverty-stricken- i Gossip of Washington -- poses, whatever they were In theory, Bosnia and Herzegovina were provand Bulinces of Austria-Hungary- , garia was an independent principality. Undoubtedly the Irresistible racial ambitions of the peoples, referred to In a previous paragraph, are the most potent Influences that have been at work. These Instincts are finding frank and open expression at this Juncture. Bulgaria has been a powerful empire In the past, possessing something of a glorious history. Many' of the greatest victories and conquests of Turkey were due to the devotions and reckless cou:a;,a of her Bulgarian soldiers, worthy descendants of the men who, fighting in the phalanx of Alexander the Great, conquered the world. The revolt of the Bulgarians and the Bulgarian massacres following them, brought on the last war, which was closed provisionally by the treaty of San Stefano. That treaty created Greater Bulgaria, to Include Rumella and Macedonia, those parts of Turkey In which Bulgarians formed the majority of the Inhabitants. The treaty of San Stefano was revised by the powers at the congress of Berlin and Bulgaria had the two taken away from her. She regained Rumella, but not Macedonia. The Bulgarians are the strongest element among the inhabitants of Macedonia, and Bulgaria has been Intent' upon regaining the province. The recent Turkish revolution, and especially the intention of the Young Turk party to Immediately reform and strengthen the neglected army, appeared to stimulate Bulgaria to action. Great Powers Involved. Bulgaria has two mighty neighbors, and to conquer and hold Macedonia s she had to have the backing of a For that support she power. turned to Austria-Hungary- , having lost the support of Russia when she retutelage, refused to jected Russia's Russianize her army and to convert Bulgaria Into a Russian protectorate. There are those who believe that a Turko Bulgarian quarrel would be only one act In a great European struggle for the control of Constantinople. It Is for Constantinople that Russia has fought nearly all her greatest .wars since the time of Peter the Great and Catherine II., aud some critics foresee a combination of Russia and Turkey, supimrted by Great Britain, against Bulgarian aggression, which they say, would be supported by Austria and Germany. Great Britain Is concerned for her control of the and the Dardanelles, and France has her border Interests as well as her entente with Great Britain to consider. The sovereign houses of the Balkan states have furnished the melodrama, hisIf not the tragedy, of present-datory. The most powerful and most universally respected of the Balkan rulers today Is King Charles of Rumania. He Is nearly 70 years old. and In poor health. In his 40 years' reign he ha developed the country Into the most prostN'rons and powerful of the Balkan stales. His wife Is "Carmen of this royal Hylva." The houso was furnished by Prince Couza, the present king's predecessor, whose profligacies shocked his people so much Ihst they compelled him to German King Charles was prince and did not take the title of king nntil after the RuMoTurklsh war of 1877, when he aided the Muscovite forces. Thrts Monarch! Interested. Greece comes Into the present mix-uon account of her Macedonian Interests, and also because the dectara- first-clas- . J) THE PROBABLE SCENE CF ACTION. Russo-TurkiB- Wlc tlon of Cretan independence gave annoyance to Turkey at a very critical moment. King George Is one of the most Interesting figures of Southern His government has been Europe.. wise and sober, and he and Queen Olga are immensely popular. King Peter of Servia has been called "the boycotted monarch," because, with the exception of Emperor Francis Joseph, all the rulers of Europe have refused to visit him or to accept visits from him. This because King Peter has refused to dissoclato himself from the assassin of King Alexander and Queen Draga. The assassins, indeed, In spite of the protests of foreign powers, are among those who still hold high office in the kingdom, a fact that lends some color to the rumor that the present king was privy to the horrible crime of the palace. Nevertheless, Servia has had the support ot the western powers In her claims foi The from Austria. compensation Crown Prince George Is a wild, harum-scaruyouth, whose. chief faculty ll that of getting Into scrapes which dls ' tress the Servian authorities. Prince Nicholas of Montenegro sue ceeded to the throne in 1800, aftei the murder of Danilo 1. Ills court tl A years ago hiuoi io t'ltn mr. lAiru j preBiui-uvi a Washington street railroad company. He became greatly interested in the matter, enlisted some financial friends In New York and bought Into the stock of the road quite heavily. Ambitious arguments were advanced regarding what Mr. Loeb could do for the road. It has to go before congress, session after session, for tld bits of legislation. which are very essential none the less. But senators, who have little liking for the president, intimated that the man who had svrved as the president s secretary would have a fine old time persuading them to vote for his blllni Therefore the owners of the street railroad began quietly to lay plans for the Loeb presidential Idea, and about a year ago another was chosen to head the street railway. Since then Secretary Loeb's name has been mentioned In connection with a number of good posts by purveyors of cnplto) gossip, but each story has been in turn denied. The latest report Is that he will become collector of the port of New York after March 4. a-- WILLIAM LOEB, JR., serving the president and the country at the White House offices for several years, is causing his Immediate friends more political anxiety than any other prominent Repub lican of the hour. There is a time-honored tradition that a retiring presi dent of the United States must take good care of his secretary, nad it has therefore been incumbent uion President Roosevelt to see Mr. Loeb well placed before he starts for the dark continent. But plans for placing Loeb have a bablt of falling through, just why no one seems able to tell. ' For, while he has not gained the fame as secretary to the president that Mr. Cortelyou, his predecessor, gained, there Is no denying that he has been very SECRETARY side-trackin- g Nation's Capital Is riKicn rltMfin Hn-,4- 'ti3za.l ? tH ifil'ilil of the capitol and library grounds, the union depot plaza and the botanical gardens, the city of Washington boasts more than 6.000 acres in parks, excluding nearly 150 triangles and circles at street Intersections and miles upon miles of shaded asphalt streets equal to the boulevards of many other cities. The largest of all these parks Is Rock Creek park. This beauty spot covers 1.C05 acres immediately adjoining the Zoological park, which contains 171 acres, and its natural combinations of rocks and streams, hills and dales, trees and meadows go to make perhaps the finest groundwork of a public park in any city in the country. It wtll be probably a hundred years before the possibilities of this park are realized to the full, lucludlng the building of a boulevard down Rock creek into the city of Washington, connecting with the Riverside drive EXCLUSIVE i I a City of Parks now known 8 Potomac driveway. 'ay' The River park, which' reaches from the'capitol to the islands of Ihe Potomac, contains In the aggregate 1,800 acres, but does not represent an amalgamated whole as does the Roc k Creek pnrk. In the northern portion of the city, about a mile eastward from Rock Creek park and connected therewith by the eld military road over which union armies marched in the defense of Washington, is the Soldier Home park. Commanded by a group of white marble buildings erected on the highest point In the city, the park slopes toward the city over an extent of 602 acres, still another park, Analostan, In southeast Washington where the river flats will some day be one of the flower gardens of the national capital, contains 640 seres. The last of the larger parka, afcio Is north Washington, Is Tacoma park, containing 739 acres. Other amusement places aie the Henry and Beaton parks of 33 scu-nGarfield park, 24 acres; Judiciary square, where Is the pennlon office, 1 acres, and Howard I'nlvcrtlty park ot 12 acres, larayette square. In front of the Whit House on the north, la which no trees or bunh Is dupliraUd, contains six acres. ; Plan to Pension Cleveland's Widow SUGGESTION that the widow and children of former President Cleveland be given a pension Is being discussed Informally by congressmen. Many have declared themselves In favor of granting her one. If Mrs. Cleveland is willing to accept, there Is no question but thr.t congress would be ready to vote It to her. Although there Is now no surviving ex president ot Ihe United States, three widows of former presidents still live Mrs. James A. Garfield, Mrs. Benjamin Harrison and Mrs. Cleveland. has now survived The ber Nstmnd more than twenty seven years. During all that time slio hat A r first-name- drawn a pension of $5,000 a year from the government, and uo money thnt conies from the treasury Is more cheerfully paid. The first lime a pen slon was ever suggested for Ihe widow of an rx president was In the case of William Henry Harrison, who died one month after his inauguration. The death of Harrison appcaM peculiarly to the nation, and the sum of 23.0(i0 outright was voted her. She lived to t njoy Its proceeds for a rH4 of 23 The second, Mrs. Tyler, drew a pi union 'of $5,000 per annum for 27 yeais. Mrs. Abraham Lim-olwas given 125.000 and an addition! :ciiBion of 5,0:)0 per annum. Grant s vldow also retclved $5,000 a year, as did the widow of President McKlnlcy. Most' of the ex iin'sldents of the United Stales died In advance of their wives, although tbeie r notable ca-- i options, Thon as Jefferson outlived his wife 44 years, Martin Van Duron yi-ar- a |