The Balkans From Within

COUNT GOLUCHOWSKI, REPLYING RECENTLY TO THE PERTINENT QUESTION OF A DELEGATE, SAID THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FORESEE ALL CONTINGENCIES IN THE BALKANS. THE WAR NOW IN PROGRESS IN THE FAR EAST GIVES POINT TO HIS REMARK, FOR IT INTRODUCES ADDITIONAL COMPLICATIONS, AND LENDS TO BALKAN AFFAIRS A MORE IMMEDIATELY THREATENING ASPECT. ONE SIGN OF THE TIMES IS THE CANDID DECISION OF AUSTRIA-HUNGARY TO SEND TROOPS TO MACEDONIA. THERE CAN BE LITTLE DOUBT THAT SECRET TREATIES EXIST, AND THAT, AT THE FIRST SIGN OF FIGHTING, AUSTRIA WILL RECEIVE A EUROPEAN MANDATE TO MOVE. FOR THIS SHE IS OPENLY AND BUSILY PREPARING, BUT THE FIRST STEP THE COMPLETE OCCUPATION OF THE SANDJAK OF NOVIBAZAR IS LIKELY TO RESULT IN A SERIOUS SURPRISE. I AM FULLY CONVINCED THAT THE ALBANIANS WILL SEE IN THE OCCUPATION OF MITROVITZA A THREAT AGAINST THEIR NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE. INDEED, THE NEWS FROM ALBANIA AT THE MOMENT OF WRITING TELLS OF SERIOUS FIGHTING BETWEEN THE INSURGENTS AND THEIR OLD FRIEND SHEMSHI PACHA. THE PROPOSED REFORMS APPARENTLY DO NOT MEET WITH ALBANIAN APPROBATION, AND THE ARMED BANDS ARE SIGNIFYING THE SAME IN THEIR USUAL UNMISTAKABLE MANNER.