The Vienna correspondent of the - Times, who frequently represents official
opinion, evidently thinks that disturbances in the Balkans are quite possible; and that Russia and Austria, as Count Goluchowski recently hinted, may not be in perfect accord as to the way to " localise " them. Responsible speakers in the Austrian Parliament are even suggesting that the Army should be increased. The Russian journal, the Novosti, also is agitated, and asks with a certain scorn if Russia is expected to consolidate Austrian influence in the Balkans. It is quite certain that if the two Powers disagree, or are expected to disagree, there will be disturbances, for Macedonia is boiling with well- founded hatred of Turkish rule ; but one would like to know precisely what the Austrian Cabinet apprehends. Is it a rising in Macedonia, or a revolution in Servia, or the expulsion of Prince Ferdinand from Bulgaria, or some great change at Constantinople ? And do the fears clearly entertained at Vienna influence Berlin, leading, among other things, to the unexpectedly decisive withdrawal of Germany• from China ? That there is smoke coming up from the Balkans is palpable, but no one in Western Europe seems to know exactly where the fire is.
