The Skouptschina, or Servian House of Representatives, was opened on
Thursday week at Kragujevatz by Prince Milan, with a very ._non-committal speech, in which he neither announced a peace policy nor a war policy. "Our nation," he said "is dis- turbed in its development by theevents going on at the frontier. A portion of the frontier population, leaving house and home, must watch, arms in hand, for the security of the fatherland, east and west. The events in Bosnia and the Herze-
govina have placed us in a difficult position
The Government of the Sultan crowds troops on our frontier This complicates the situation. The nation asks us to protect it. The Bosnian people try to escape from sword and fire by taking refuge with us, and this makes our position still more difficult. It may be hoped, however, that the wisdom of the Sultan and of the Great Powers will find a mode to tran- quillise and satisfy these countries. I shall, as far as my power goes, so act that peace may be given back to these provinces." The Prince's speech was well received ; and his announcement of Ins intended marriage, with the appeal to his people to support him, elicited some -enthusiasm, but it was recognised that the speech was one intended to gain time for further deliberation. The war party in Servia have, it is said, since gained many adherents, and the armaments are proceeding, though, till the success or failure of Russia at Constantinople is known, no defini- tive line will be taken. Of course, the difficulty of restraining Servia is one of the most powerful arguments for demanding concessions from the Porte.
