Daily Globe

PACIFYING EUROPE.

Speculation at Berlin and London is rife as to the nature of the questions to come before the congress of nations, but how much reliance is to be placed upon the various and conflicting rumors transmitted by the cable it is hard to determine. It is evident, however, that a satisfactory issue will be arrived at between Great Britain and Russia, and that the greatest difficulties for the congress to settle will arise from the demands of Austria and the smaller European states. Greece is fearful that the Hellenic power is to be destroyed, and asks that her interests be protected, while Bosnia, Herzegovina, Montenegro, Roumania, and Koumelia all wish to preserve their autonomy and seem disposed to fight if the congress should fail to comply with their demands.

England, Austria, France and Italy are united in the determination to reorganize Roumelia on a basis which will make it a bulwark for the protection of Constantinople, while Russia will resist the demand to the last. The demands of Austria, however, are the most likely to cause a rupture. Her ultimatum, the organization of the Turkish states bordering on the Ægean sea under an Austro-Hungarian protectorate, thus cutting off the chance of Russia for establishing a naval station, will meet the opposition of Russia to the last extremity. Even Persia asks to be heard in the settlement of the Eastern question. It will be seen, therefore, that even if Russia should succeed in satisfying Great Britain, the difficulty will yet be far from a settlement.

Insignificant as the smaller principalities may appear, they are capable of infinite mischief, and are perhaps quite as dangerous to the peace of Europe as the more formidable powers. A score of hornets may cause a battalion of well drilled soldiers to break ranks and fly, when they would fearlessly stand at the cannon's mouth in the face of an enemy. It is just so with these little mischievous dukedoms. They must be mollified, or there will be constant harassment, constant revolt, constant incitement to war.

The congress will have a no small task to pacify them and reconcile all their conflicting interests. It is a task that will require the utmost patience, the most statesmanlike forethought, the most delicate consideration. Until these interests are reconciled the peace of Europe will not be fully assured, and congratulations over the appeasement of England or Austria are apt to be premature if the claims of the smaller nations are overlooked or ignored.